Puritanism

Puritanism Puritanism is the haunting fear that someone, somewhere may be happy.

H.L. Mencken

Puritans People who wanted to purify the Church of England from within.

T.U.L.I.P. T: Total Depravity  U: Unconditional Election  L: Limited Atonement  I: Irresistible Grace  P: Perseverance of the saints 

Total Depravity Concept of “Original Sin”  “In Adam’s Fall, We Sinned All”  Due to Adam and Eve’s fall from grace, we are all born sinful and fall short of the glory of God. 

Unconditional Election God “saves” only a few select  Concept of Predestination  Those who are saved are known as “The Elect” 

Limited Atonement 

Jesus died for the chosen, not for everyone.

Irresistible Grace God’s grace is freely given.  It can neither be earned or denied. 

Perseverance of the Saints The members of the elect have the right to interpret the will of God.  Those who are members of the elect will live uprightly. 

Puritan Plain Style Plainness in speech, writing, and dress.  Clothing-black, brown, gray  Worked 300 days a year.  Did NOT celebrate Christmas-viewed as a pagan remnant. 

Puritan Work Ethic Through hard work one could obtain material and social success.  Material and social success a sign one was a member of the elect. 

Function of Puritan Writing To transform a mysterious God  To make God more relevant to the universe  To glorify God 

Types of writing 

Nonfiction – Poetry – Narratives (journals) – Letters