From 1959-1603, Queen Elizabeth occupied the throne in England. The King before her, King Edward was a devout Calvinist. His sister, Mary, was a devout Catholic. Queen Elizabeth established a “middle of the road” faith. She was self-described Protestant with a Catholic view, but did not buy into radical Calvinism. THIS CAME TO BE KNOWN AS ANGLICANISM. IT WAS KNOWN AS A MORE MODERATE TYPE OF PROTESTANTISM.
So this is where the PURITAN PROTEST began. Who were the Puritans? They were made up of men and women in English churches who believed that Elizabeth’s Anglicanism were not pure enough.
They did not think she conformed the church enough….still clinging to too many Catholic practices (i.e. – the set prayers, Apocrypha books, the prohibitions). The Puritans did not think the Anglicans’ preaching was scriptural enough. They said the Anglican preachers were “illiterate.” They pointed to the immoral condition of the Anglican clergy. They complained that there was an increased importance on sacraments and garments (on the outside look).
WHAT DID THE PURITANS WANT TO SEE HAPPEN?
1. They wanted the church to have a Calvinistic doctrine influence
2. They wanted a Sabbath observed
3. They wanted a return to biblical standards in the church away from catholic
tradition.
4. They called for education of clergy and laity
5. They believed in a “Covenant with God.” They believed that both tables of
Law should be obeyed 1) Love God 2) Love one another.
But of course, the Anglican church refused to be influenced by the Puritans. The division became worse and in 1620 the first group of Puritans (called Separatists), known as Pilgrims landed at PLYMOUTH ROCK. They separated themselves from the Church of England.
They went to Holland for 12 years before 101 pilgrims set sail on the Mayflower which was a 65 day journey (56 adults, 14 servants, 31 children). They originally intended to go to Virginia. The first winter, one-half of them died. William Bradford was the first Governor of Plymouth Rock and served for 30 years. IN 1691, Plymouth was assimilated into the Mass. Bay Colony first founded in 1621. By 1643, some 20,000 Puritans had settled in Mass Bay.
When the Puritans came to the new world, they believed that England was modern day Babylon. They saw themselves as the New Israel. A city on a hill. Their vision was to be the model Christian society. They were going to complete the reformation that Martin Luther started. The Puritans theology centered upon the following:
#1 – Christ is universally Lord. Christ is King.
#2 – Christ is prophet. His was the true doctrine.
#3 – Christ is Priest – they practice the Sacraments.
The Puritans believed in a strong work ethnic. Max Weber wrote, “The Puritan – Protestant work ethic is the 'spirit of capitalism.'” How did they worship?
1) They worshiped as a family.
2) The practiced devotions with their children.
3) Their church buildings were very simple…usually contained one wooden pulpit
and some benches.
4) The father would read scripture to the children on Saturday evening in
preparation for Sunday worship.
5) The church sang Psalms.
6) Every preacher preached an hour…expository sermons only, no application.
In 1701, the Puritans founded Yale University which was committed to provide for its students a rigorous education of Calvinism. They also established it as a protest against Harvard University which they considered a liberal college founded by New England church for the purpose of training pastors.
Briefly, let me mention another group like the Puritans that infiltrated America around 1650, slightly after the Puritans – the German Pietists known as Pietism. This was a renewal movement in German-Lutheran churches led by Jacob Spener.
More tomorrow...make it a great day!
- Pastor Randy
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