The Encyclopedia of World Religions

Puritanism S 365

In theology the Puritans followed John C ALVIN . They emphasized the majesty and power of G OD . They also emphasized that all human beings were born into a state of SIN . No one, they taught, was capable of earning God’s favor. Nevertheless, God in his mercy has chosen to save some sinners. He gives FAITH to those whom he chooses to save. The Puritans analyzed the process of coming to faith in detail. It centered on an experience of being born again through God’s GRACE . American Puritans expected the elect to be able to give evidence of this experience. Before 1649 the Puritans had little actual effect on the Church of England. They did, however, contribute significantly to the Civil War that pitted the English Parliament against the king. After the execution of King Charles I in 1649, the Church of England moved in a Puritan direction. But in 1660 the monarchy returned. The old church came back with it. In 1689 the Act of Toleration ended the dispute. The Church of England as formed in Elizabeth’s day was the official church. But those who favored other options could establish legally recognized churches. Depending upon their partic ular views, Puritans formed Presbyterian, Congre gationalist, or Baptist congregations ( see P RESBYTE

RIAN AND R EFORMED CHURCHES , C ONGREGATIONALISM , and B APTIST CHURCHES ). The story of Puritanism in the United States is more eventful. In the early 1600s, some Puritans gave up the attempt to reform the Church of Eng land. They decided instead to establish a model Puritan commonwealth in North America. Even tually, Puritan churches appeared in each of the North American colonies. In England Puritans had mostly been outsid ers. In New England Puritanism was the estab lished or official religion. As an official religion, it showed a repressive side. Orthodox Puritans expelled people like Roger Williams and Anne Hutchinson, who had different religious ideas. In 1659 and 1661 they executed four people because they were Q UAKERS . In 1692 some Puritans held the infamous Salem witchcraft trials, which cost 20 people their lives. But Puritanism has also greatly influenced the way Americans think of themselves. Some Ameri can politicians, such as Ronald Reagan (president, 1981–89), provide a good example. When they speak of the United States as a model to the rest of the world, they essentially reflect the self-image of the American Puritans.