2.2 Puritan Theology and its Influence on Colonial Writing

Puritan theology shaped colonial writing in profound ways. Calvinism's core beliefs, like predestination and total depravity, influenced how Puritans viewed themselves and their place in the world. This mindset seeped into their literature, affecting both content and style.

Puritan authors used techniques like typology and plain style to convey religious truths. Their writing reflected the characteristics of Puritan communities - theocratic, education-focused, and morally strict. Key figures like John Winthrop left lasting impacts on American literature and identity.

Calvinist Theology

Core Beliefs of Calvinism

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• Calvinism emphasizes the sovereignty of God and the idea that salvation is predetermined by God's will alone, not by human actions or decisions
• Predestination asserts that God has already chosen who will be saved (the elect) and who will be damned before the creation of the world
• Covenant theology views God's relationship with humanity as a series of covenants, including the covenant of works (God's agreement with Adam) and the covenant of grace (God's offer of salvation through Christ)
• Original sin refers to the belief that all humans are born sinful due to Adam and Eve's disobedience in the Garden of Eden, which corrupted human nature and necessitates God's grace for salvation

Implications for Puritan Beliefs and Practices

• Puritans believed in the total depravity of human beings, meaning that without God's grace, humans are incapable of choosing to follow God or do good
• The concept of unconditional election meant that Puritans believed God had already chosen the elect for salvation, and nothing could change this divine decision
• Limited atonement suggests that Christ's sacrifice on the cross was sufficient to save only the elect, not all of humanity
• Irresistible grace implies that those chosen by God for salvation cannot resist His call and will inevitably come to faith
• Perseverance of the saints means that once a person is truly saved, they cannot lose their salvation, as God will preserve them in faith until the end

Literary Techniques

Typology in Puritan Literature

• Typology is an interpretive method that sees people, events, and symbols in the Old Testament as foreshadowing or prefiguring their fulfillment in the New Testament and Christian history
• Puritans often used typology to draw connections between biblical figures and contemporary events or individuals (e.g., comparing the Puritan journey to America with the Israelites' exodus from Egypt)
• Typological readings of scripture and history allowed Puritans to see their experiences as part of a divine plan and to find spiritual significance in everyday life

Plain Style Writing

• Puritan writers often employed a plain style of writing, characterized by clear, direct language and an emphasis on conveying religious truth rather than displaying artistic flourish
• The plain style reflected Puritan values of simplicity, humility, and the importance of spiritual substance over worldly embellishment
• Puritan authors believed that a straightforward writing style would make their message more accessible to readers and prevent misinterpretation or distraction from the core religious content
• Examples of plain style writing can be found in the works of John Winthrop, William Bradford, and Anne Bradstreet, among others

Puritan Society

Characteristics of Puritan Communities

• Puritanism was a religious reform movement that sought to "purify" the Church of England from remaining Roman Catholic influences and to establish a society based on strict adherence to biblical principles
• Puritan communities were often structured as theocracies, where religious leaders held significant political power and the laws were based on their interpretation of scripture
• Puritans emphasized the importance of education, as they believed that individuals needed to be able to read and interpret the Bible for themselves
• Puritan society was characterized by a strong work ethic, moral discipline, and a focus on community welfare over individual desires

Key Figures and Concepts

• John Winthrop, a prominent Puritan leader and the first governor of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, played a crucial role in shaping the religious and political foundations of Puritan New England
• In his sermon "A Model of Christian Charity," Winthrop used the phrase "city upon a hill" to describe the Puritan community's role as an example of godliness to the world, emphasizing the importance of collective responsibility and moral purity
• The concept of a "city upon a hill" became a lasting symbol of American exceptionalism and the idea that the United States has a special mission to serve as a model of virtue and democracy for other nations to follow
• Other notable Puritan figures include William Bradford, the governor of Plymouth Colony and author of "Of Plymouth Plantation," and Cotton Mather, a minister and prolific writer who played a significant role in the Salem witch trials