Puritanical!

Dear brothers and sisters,


I thought it worth writing a short (as defined by the Newly Revised Schwartz Dictionary of Misunderstand Terms) post regarding the Puritans and their influence on the Church. For the past few years, I’ve developed an admiration for them. In the past few months, I’ve read some of their writings (All Things for Good by Thomas Watson, previously known by the delectable title “A Divine Cordial”, and the Valley of Vision, a compilation of Puritan prayers and devotional thoughts) and found these people to be an undeservedly maligned group who for the most part desired to glorify and honor God and love their fellow man. We can learn much from their writings and godly examples.

It is a difficult balancing act when holding in tension freedom of the individual’s conscience, which Christians fought so hard for in 17th century Britain and the responsibility and obligation to a moral civic establishment in maintaining order in the community while promoting a sense of justice and truth for the good of that society. I do realize, however, that when one mentions the name “Puritan” all sorts of harsh and severe images pass through one’s mind. The word Puritanical is often explained in terms of those whose dress, not to mention words and actions, are filled with prudishness, lack of emotion, and spite. (That was too kind.) Most history books for the past decades have described them as witch hunters and sin seekers whose scrutiny of evil extended as far as their authority empowered, while overlooking the sin within themselves. They are thought of as hypocrites who looked, accused and judged without objectivity and self-examination.

The Salem witch trials of the early 17th century were, in fact, far less pervasive and characteristic of early American Puritan history than what is generally understood. Despite the abuses of power and influence upon the local Massachusetts judiciary only 19 people (19 too many, I might add) died under the Puritan extremes during the summer of 1692. Might I suggest that many more than 19 innocents have died during the presidential reigns of either Clinton or Bush, and many more will die during the reign of Obama. In truth, they sought to establish a “city on a hill”, a Zion, one might even say “a theocracy” in a region of Massachusetts for the glory of God and the good of the people. Much like the Pilgrims, the Puritans were a Christian people who desired to create and live out the truth of the gospel in both private and public demonstration. It is interesting to contrast them. It is the fear of the abuse of authority of the former in matters of Biblical interpretation and the strength, role, purpose, and exercise of authority that clearly separate the two, though they weren’t far from another in doctrine.

The Pilgrims were persecuted as a non-conforming church in Catholic/Anglican Stuart England. They fled to Protestant Holland to be free from religious oppression only to find the corrupting and compromising influence of Dutch society. Subsequently, they sought refuge from both persecution and corruption in a new land where they could live out the gospel free from the grasp of either, and though they still would find the corruption that comes from within, they would also find different challenges in their new home.

The Puritans sought to remain in England as a preserving influence, seeking both to check and reform a culture that was religiously restrictive, and even oppressive. Though they managed to have a brief period of success under Oliver Cromwell after the Stuart monarch, Charles I, was overthrown and beheaded, victory was short lived. Parliament soon decided to restore the previous monarch’s son, Charles II, and the Puritans again found themselves on the defensive. At this point, some decided to follow in the footsteps of the Pilgrims and flee to America.

While an unbiblical zeal for justice did lead to abuse of authority in the civic arena that summer, we can learn much from them in regard to their appreciation of the mercy and fear of God. American, may I even say Western culture, has for the most part rejected a Biblical sense of morality. While this is indeed unfortunate, what has been more disastrous has been the effect on the Church. We who profess Christ live amidst a community of people who have abandoned a clear understanding of the fear of God and replaced it with sentimentalism. Our concepts of the fear of God have been substituted by “wonder” and “awe”. While these are indeed valid attributes of a godly man or woman, we seem to shy away from a concept of God, which “smacks” of justice, judgment, and even dread. Why can we not seem to “fear” God though the Bible admonishes us to do so? Could it be that we are so affected by our culture that we cannot admit wrong, take responsibility for what we have done, and repent. The Christian is called to a lifestyle of repentance. If he cannot discern and practice the fear of God, what chance is there that he will perceive his sinfulness and need for redemption, not to mention encourage others to. I think that sometimes we do have a hard time reconciling the mercy and justice of God. We cannot realize how a God of love and kindness can also generate hatred of sin and fear in the hearts of men, even if it is a right fear. The Bible refers to the comfort and edification of believers in Acts 9 as the disciples walked in the “fear of God” and the “comfort of the Holy Spirit”. Both of these are essentials if the Christian is going to walk in maturity and grow in Christ.


There are many things to admire in Puritan society. Their willingness to admit utter depravity and cast themselves on the sheer mercy and kindness of God, and their love and grasp of the doctrine of Sovereignty and covenant have encouraged a multitude to flee the false hopes and promises of self adulation and take refuge in the loving and keeping strength of Christ. Their deep understanding of His covenant faithfulness has also resulted in a veritable plethora of publications, many of which are poetic and stir the heart palpably.

One other lasting contribution that seems to have regained favor recently is the promotion of the use of the Psalter, the singing of the Psalms in meter for worship, both public and private. I personally have gained immeasurable by singing the word of God. In a culture where religious ditties have infected the covenant community and their worship, it is good to be able to lean heavily on the entire counsel of Psalms as we express our hearts to Him.

Thank you, Puritans!!!