The role of Puritanism and Literature in America

The Puritans were a varied group of religious reformers who emerged within the Church of England during the middle of the sixteenth century. They shared a common Calvinist theology and common criticisms of the Anglican Church and English society and government.

Puritans hold a high view on Scripture, perceiving it as the only true law of God: thus, according to their way of thinking, each individual, as well as each congregation, was directly responsible to God, rather than having to answer through a mediator such as a priest, bishop, etc. Martin Luther and John Calvin were the Protestant Reformers who’s teaching the Puritans were following. Luther started by criticizing the selling of indulgences, insisting that the pope had no right over purgatory and that the Catholic doctrine of the merits of the saint had no foundation in the gospel. On the other side, John Calvin emphasized the idea of predestination which was adopted by Congregationalists, Presbyterians, and a variety of other religious groups.

In this sense, they sought to cleanse the culture of what they regarded as corrupt, sinful practices. They believed that the civil government should strictly enforce public morality by prohibiting vices like gambling, drunkenness, swearing, vulgar dress and Sabbath-breaking. One of the methods that Puritans applied in order to punish the sinners was that of public exposure on the scaffold. This was a clear lesson for the community what they should or should not do. Each sin, no matter how small or insignificant may appear nowadays, was very severely punished back then.

Furthermore, Puritans had five core beliefs that they strictly dedicated to: Absolute Sovereignty, Human Depravity, Predestination, Covenant Theology, Individualism and Reading.

First of all, that meant that God is in control at all times; nothing happens outside His knowledge or power. Everything that happens has a certain purpose that only God is aware of.

Secondly, because of Adam and Eve’s son, all humanity is inherently evil and incapable of response to God. All are tainted by original sin. There is nothing good in a human apart from the saving action of God. Because of this wickedness, God must initiate all interaction with humans and must give humans the ability to response.

Thirdly, the Puritans also held strong to the concept that God in his absolute sovereignty and wisdom determined before human history who would be saved/elect and who would be damned. The elect have no choice but to be saved; the damned cannot choose election, even if they want to follow Him. No good deeds that men or women do during their lifetime or the way they behave can change God’s plan.

Fourthly, at the heart of Calvinism is the covenant theology. The concept of covenant influenced all aspects of Puritan life: their relationship with God, social and civil relationships and church

organization. They were rejecting the hierarchy of the Church of England, maintaining that each church or congregation must be self-governing and autonomous.

Moreover, because of the Reformation emphasis on Bible and Individual, Puritans placed great emphasis on the individual relationship with God. More than ever, both men and women were encouraged to study and interpret the Bible for themselves. They were no longer relying only on the teachings of scholars or bishops, literacy played an important role for all. Studying the Word of God, Puritans started writing conversion narratives, journals or diaries all kept with the goal of documenting the work of God and individual response to it.

It is thus easy to observe that every aspect of the Puritan’s life was based on the teachings of the Bible: Luther's translation of the Bible into German was a decisive moment in the spread of literacy, and stimulated as well the printing and distribution of religious books and pamphlets.

Three important Puritan genres include: sermons, historical narrative and poetry. Families attended church regularly and read the Bible in their homes. Due to this influence, most Puritan writing is based on the styles of the Bible. Sometimes, they even compared their own lives to biblical narratives and events or compared themselves to biblical characters to illustrate certain points of view. They lived a simple life based on the concepts of humility and simplicity, religious beliefs from the Bible.

It is clear that Puritans wrote with specific purposes in mind. Even when they wrote to their families and friends, not only were they communicating about their lives and keeping in touch, but more importantly were they illustrating their religion’s value, such as the importance of the church and the influence of God in their lives. Writing often became instructive, teaching Christian values. From their point of view, literature was not for entertainment, or just giving away some pieces of information: through literacy people were being instructed, taught, and admonished, etc.

A very important sermon that reveals clearly the Puritan’s doctrine is the text entitled “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” by the American theologian by Jonathan Edwards. He states the fact that God is a rather a tyrant that punishes every human being for their sins and that corrupt sinners face a fearful judgment. Another important aspect in his sermon is that time is short for the unrepentant and that God’s righteous wrath will come suddenly and unexpectedly. The fact that God is delaying should be a warning sign for the sinner to confess his sins and repent in order not to face the wrath of an “Angry God”. Judging from his point of view, sinners are also those rejecting God, or people who are complacent.

God’s judgment isn’t just fearful, but is truly violent.

Also, in the sermon “A model of Christian charity” by John Winthrop, America is viewed as “A city upon a hill”, the parable extracted from the Bible. Their new community would be watched by the world and they should set an example of communal charity, affection and unity to the

world. In case of the contrary, they “shall be made a story and a by-word through the world” of God’s judgment.

To conclude, the puritans were so attached and fond of the Bible’s writings that they even started interpreting daily life events as signs from God… Some could be for encouragement, others to admonish them from their evil ways to Him. Nothing happened without a clear purpose.

Duciuc Georgiana, an III E-G

gina_duciuc@yahoo.com