Who were the Puritans and what was Puritanism?

Historical Background

The term “Puritan” refers to a group of English Protestants in the late 16th and 17th centuries who sought to “purify” the Church of England from beliefs and practices they regarded as contrary to Scripture. These men and women emerged after the English Reformation had begun under Henry VIII, extending and sharpening the works of leaders such as Thomas Cranmer. Influenced by thinkers like John Calvin, they emphasized the authority of the Bible, drawing inspiration from passages such as “All Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for instruction” (2 Timothy 3:16).

The Puritans officially grew in number during the Elizabethan Religious Settlement (1559), when Queen Elizabeth I strove for a middle way between Roman Catholicism and the extremes of Protestant reformers. The Puritans believed such a compromise fell short of true biblical ideals, so they advocated for further reforms to align worship, clerical vestments, and church structure with what they believed were Scriptural commands.

Key Theological Distinctives

Puritans championed the sole authority of the Bible in faith and practice, holding that “the word of the Lord endures forever” (1 Peter 1:25). They emphasized personal conversion (or regeneration), recognizing that genuine faith transforms daily life, church government, worship services, and communities.

1. Emphasis on Personal Piety

They encour­­aged private Bible study, fervent prayer, and self-examination. Works by Puritan theologians, such as Richard Baxter’s The Reformed Pastor, highlight accountability and holiness in the believer’s life. This commitment to personal godliness was shaped by their conviction that faith is not merely intellectual but lived out daily (James 2:26).

2. Church Structure

Many Puritans gravitated toward Presbyterian or Congregational forms of church governance, believing the New Testament “pattern” of elders (e.g., Acts 14:23) to be binding. They saw bishops and elaborate ceremonies as remnants of medieval corruption, diverging from the simplicity of the early church.

3. Covenant Theology

Puritans taught that God relates to humankind through covenants, echoing biblical examples like God’s covenant with Noah and Abraham (Genesis 9; 17). They believed in the abiding significance of the moral law expressed in the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20), while emphasizing the gracious covenant of the gospel.

Pursuit of a Godly Society

Inspired by verses such as “Be holy, for I am holy” (1 Peter 1:16), Puritans held that societies should reflect divine standards. This mindset led to reforms in education (they established institutions like Harvard College in 1636), social welfare, and civil government. Their desire was a community where every aspect—marriage, child-rearing, civic involvement—was informed by Scripture.

In England, the Puritans faced resistance from monarchs and bishops who regarded them as too radical. Significant waves of Puritan migration took place to the Netherlands and the New World (notably New England), where they believed they could establish a society more thoroughly molded by biblical principles. The Mayflower voyage of 1620 and subsequent founding of Plymouth Colony stand as well-documented events testifying to their conviction for religious freedom. Archaeological findings (such as remnants of the original Plymouth settlement) and records like Governor William Bradford’s writings in “Of Plymouth Plantation” attest to the historical reality of how they lived out their beliefs.

Worship Practices

Puritan worship was characterized by simplicity. They focused on reading and preaching the Bible, prayer, and the singing of psalms without extraneous ceremony or ornamentation. Their published sermons, preserved in numerous historical manuscripts and reprints, remain influential, revealing expository methods rooted in Scripture. Such expositions often referenced passages like Nehemiah 8:8, describing how God’s people “read from the Book of the Law of God, explaining it and giving insight.”

Moral and Cultural Influence

Puritanism shaped English-speaking Protestantism for centuries. Its legacy lives on in the value placed upon conscientious work, family devotion, educational pursuits, and civic responsibility. Many attribute the “Protestant work ethic” to a Puritan worldview, which grounded labor in the biblical calling: “Whatever you do, work at it with your whole being” (Colossians 3:23).

Despite what can be seen as intense moral strictness—sometimes criticized as legalistic—Puritans aimed to form spiritually disciplined individuals aware of sin’s seriousness yet wholly reliant on Christ’s redeeming grace. In their view, disciplined living sprang from gratitude for salvation (Ephesians 2:8–10).

Major Historical Developments and Later Influence

Puritans exerted significant influence on English politics, particularly during the English Civil War (1642–1651). Figures like Oliver Cromwell rose to prominence, reshaping the nation’s governance. Meanwhile, in New England, the Puritan vision evolved into structures that eventually gave rise to the Congregationalist churches. Writings by Jonathan Edwards (often considered a theological descendant of Puritan thought) and John Owen reflect continuations of Puritan theology.

Over time, cultural shifts and denominational developments broadened, but Puritan influence remains evident in the emphasis on biblical fidelity, piety, and the call to transform society through personal and communal holiness. Yale University, established in 1701, was another outgrowth of this ongoing Puritan dedication to higher learning grounded in Scripture.

Reflection and Application

Reading about Puritan efforts can prompt reflection on how believers strive to “do all for the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31) and guard against complacency. Their legacy challenges individuals and churches to continually align teachings and practices with Scripture while acknowledging the temptations of imposing man-made regulations as though they were divine commands.

Whether examining the historical record—such as diaries, sermons, church manuals—or investigating the broader cultural footprint, the Puritan movement’s commitment to reverence, biblical direction, and communal piety remains influential. Their approach underscores the necessity of letting Scripture be “a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105).

Conclusion

The Puritans were English Protestants determined to reform the Church of England according to what they believed was the clear witness of the Bible. Puritanism touched all corners of life—worship, education, civic order, family, and personal holiness—aiming to forge a society devoted to God’s honor. Their migration to the New World, coupled with legendary communal resilience, shaped the early foundations of what became the United States. Their writings, institutions, and historical records collectively provide a thorough window into both their era and enduring convictions about obedience to Scripture, covenantal community, and the transformative power of faith.