for Charandry

PURITAN BACKGROUND

Puritans—Puritans sought to reform the Anglican Church from within. They were

prosperous, with a university-educated man for every thirty families.

Pilgrims—Pilgrims were Separatists who withdrew from the "corrupt" state church.

They were poor and in general less educated.

Chief Points of Puritan Theology

Absolute sovereignty of God

Predestination—An omniscient Deity decides who will be saved.

Providence—God directly intervenes in the world. Example: God caused mice to

eat the Anglican prayer book but not the New Testament.

Natural depravity—Since Adam's fall, all human beings are born in sin and

deserve damnation.

Election—Through God's mercy a few are saved, but by grace alone, not through

their own efforts.

Evil is inner—Human beings need to reform themselves rather than be reformed

by institutions.

Perseverance of the saints—One must live as if one is among the elect.

Covenant-agreement between God and humanity that God will save the righteous