Puritan beliefs

Definition

Puritan beliefs refer to the religious and societal principles held by the Puritans, a group of English Protestants in the 16th and 17th centuries who sought to 'purify' the Church of England from its Catholic practices. These beliefs heavily influenced the cultural and social fabric of colonial New England, emphasizing strict moral conduct, a strong work ethic, communal responsibility, and the importance of personal piety and Biblical literacy.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Puritans believed in the idea of a 'city upon a hill,' seeing themselves as an example of a godly society for others to follow.
2. Their emphasis on education led to the establishment of schools and colleges, including Harvard in 1636, to train clergy and promote literacy among all members of the community.
3. Puritans practiced a strict moral code that discouraged activities they deemed sinful, such as drinking alcohol and celebrating Christmas.
4. Church membership was limited to those who had undergone a conversion experience and could provide evidence of their faith, which created a distinct social hierarchy within Puritan communities.
5. The Puritans’ belief in a personal relationship with God led them to value individual Bible reading and interpretation, fostering a culture of religious engagement and questioning.

Review Questions

• How did Puritan beliefs influence the social structure and community life in colonial New England?
  • Puritan beliefs significantly shaped the social structure in colonial New England by promoting a community-oriented lifestyle centered around shared religious values. Their emphasis on moral conduct fostered a strong sense of accountability among individuals, leading to communal efforts in governance and social order. This created tight-knit communities where members were expected to support each other in both spiritual and daily affairs, reinforcing Puritan ideals through various institutions like town meetings and church gatherings.
• Discuss the role of education in Puritan society and how it reflected their religious values.
  • Education played a crucial role in Puritan society as they believed that all individuals should be able to read the Bible and understand God's word. This focus on literacy led to the establishment of public schools and institutions like Harvard College, aiming to train ministers and promote Biblical scholarship. The Puritans viewed education not just as a means of intellectual development but also as a vital aspect of nurturing piety and moral responsibility within the community.
• Evaluate how Puritan beliefs contributed to both social cohesion and conflict within colonial New England.
  • Puritan beliefs fostered social cohesion through shared values, norms, and expectations that united members of their communities under a common religious framework. However, this strict adherence to their beliefs also led to conflict, particularly with dissenters such as Anne Hutchinson and Roger Williams, who challenged the established order. The tension between maintaining communal standards and allowing for individual interpretation ultimately resulted in significant political and religious strife, illustrating the complexities of Puritan society as both cohesive and contentious.

Related terms

Predestination:

The belief that God has already determined who will be saved and who will be damned, a key concept in Puritan theology.

Covenant Theology: The belief that God has made a covenant, or agreement, with His people, which outlines their obligations to Him and to one another.

Theocracy: A form of government in which religious leaders control political power, often seen in Puritan communities where church and state were closely intertwined.