Puritanism.

Title: The Origin, belief and impact of Puritanism on Religious, Social, and Political
Development.
Abstract: This paper explores the origins, core beliefs, and lasting impact of Puritanism on
religious practices, social and Political development. This outline provides a structured
approach to researching and writing about Puritanism. It examines how Puritan values shaped
early American society and contributed to the development of a distinct religious and moral
ethos in the New World. Puritanism is a significant religious and social movement that arose
in the late 16th and early 17th centuries within the Church of England. It sought to "purify"
the Church from what its adherents considered to be lingering elements of Catholicism. The
Puritans were characterized by their strict religious discipline, moral rigor, and emphasis on
the authority of the Bible.

Thesis Statement : Puritanism's influence on religious practices, societal norms, and

governance in both England and early America was profound and lasting. In England, it
shaped the development of Protestant nonconformity and influenced political conflicts that
reshaped the nation's governance. In America, Puritan ideals were foundational in creating a
society where religion and governance were deeply intertwined, and where community and
moral responsibility were paramount. The legacy of Puritanism can still be seen today in
various aspects of Western religious, social, and political life, particularly in the emphasis on
moral integrity, the value of education, and the importance of community participation in
governance.

2.1 Definition and Scope of Puritanism

2.1.1 Origin of Puritanism
Originally, Puritanism refers to a movement that arose within the Church of England in the
latter part of the 16th century. It sought to purify, or reform the Church and establish a middle
course between Roman Catholicism and the ideas of the Protestant reformers. Those who
advocated Puritanism were called Puritans. 1 The existence of Puritanism in the United States
successfully contributed to ideological emancipation, the formation of career concepts, the
formation of wealth concepts, and the establishment of the country’s future development
goals.2
2.1.2 The scope of Puritanism was broad, affecting religious practices, social norms, political
systems, and cultural developments both in England and in the American colonies. Its legacy
continues to be felt in various aspects of modern Western society.

1
Ning Kang. Puritanism and Its Impact upon American Values. (Vol 1. Issue 2, 2009), 1. Available on
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/42368774_Puritanism_and_Its_Impact_upon_American_Values
2
Zhu Xiaoyun The Application of Puritanism in American Early Literature. ISSN 2690-3644 (Print) ISSN
2690-3652 (Online) Vol. 4, No. 2, 2023.
Available on
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/370934627_The_Application_of_Puritanism_in_American_Early_Lit
erature
2.3 Core Beliefs and Practices of Puritanism
There are two kinds of their program of reform. One was basically derived from John Calvin
and the Calvinists tradition in which Calvin’s theology explained that it was God who
controlled all events according to his eternal arbitrary purpose. The other was based on the
Holy Bible in which they wanted the Christian church to be restored to its original condition,
as described in Scripture.3
2.3.1 Belief
a) Sovereignty of God: Puritans believed in the absolute sovereignty of God over all aspects
of life.4 They emphasized that God was omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent, and that
His will was the ultimate authority in both the spiritual and temporal realms.
b) Predestination: A central tenet of Puritan theology was the belief in predestination,
derived from Calvinism. This doctrine held that God had already chosen, before the creation
of the world, who would be saved (the elect) and who would be damned. Election, within this
divine theater, is but God's act of choosing some for salvation. 5 Human beings had no control
over their eternal fate, which was predetermined by God’s will.
c) Total Depravity: Puritans believed in the concept of total depravity, which held that, due
to original sin, every human being was inherently sinful and morally corrupt. 6 This meant that
people were incapable of achieving salvation through their own efforts and were entirely
dependent on God’s grace.
2.3.2 Worship Practices:
Reformed Christians believed that worship is the heartbeat of Christianity. Puritan worship
practices were marked by a deliberate focus on simplicity, the authority of Scripture, and the
centrality of preaching. Their rejection of traditional church rituals and emphasis on personal
piety and community accountability shaped not only their religious life but also their social
and cultural practices. These worship practices were instrumental in defining Puritan identity
and left a lasting impact on Protestant worship, particularly in Reformed and
Congregationalist traditions
William Perkins (1558–1602), one of the fathers of the Puritan movement, gave this
definition of worship: “The worship or service of God is, when upon the right knowledge of
God, we freely give him the honor that is proper to him, in our hearts according to his own
will.”7

3
Reinjaya Sitohang, Sabar Manik, and Rostina. “PURITANISM: THE REFLECTION OF AMERICAN
CHARACTER.” Research Journal of English Language and Literature. Vol.8.Issue 1. 2020 (January-March).
4
Benjamin Franklin. 8 PURITAN RELIGIOUS BELIEFS: HISTORY OF A FANATIC. Available on
https://www.historyoasis.com/post/puritans-religious-beliefs
5
Benjamin Franklin. 8 PURITAN RELIGIOUS BELIEFS: HISTORY OF A FANATIC. Available on
https://www.historyoasis.com/post/puritans-religious-beliefs
6
C Keebaugh, C. The Puritans Core Beliefs. Available from https://www.bartleby.com/essay/The-Puritans-
Core-Beliefs-PJMCX2P3MRR
7
Joel R. Beeke and Paul M. Smalley. “What is Puritan Worship?” Puritan Reformed Journal
(Volume 14, Number 1, January 2022)
2.4 Impact of Puritanism: Puritanism had a profound impact on religious, social, and
political development in both England and America, shaping the trajectory of these societies
in significant ways. Below is an analysis of the impact Puritanism had in each of these areas.

1. Religious Impact

England

Reformation of the Church: Puritanism emerged as a response to what its adherents saw as
incomplete reforms within the Church of England. While they did not succeed in fully
reforming the church, they laid the groundwork for future dissent and the development of
various Protestant denominations. The Puritans' emphasis on biblical authority and simplified
worship influenced later religious movements, such as the Baptists and Congregationalists.

Nonconformity: Puritans' resistance to the established church's practices led to the rise of
nonconformity. After the Restoration of the monarchy in 1660, Puritanism evolved into
various Nonconformist groups, such as Presbyterians, Independents, and later Methodists,
who continued to reject the practices of the Church of England. This dissent contributed to
the diversity of religious expression in England and laid the foundation for religious
tolerance.

America

Work was one of the major puritan virtues, and working hard is one of their aims to glorify
God. Their belief made them work hard and accepted the richness as the only way to
Heaven.8

The Puritan experience was a unique synthesis of religion and government that became a
hallmark of the relationship between the government of the United States and the American
people: a belief in God as the chief higher power, coupled with distrust of any large
institution that wanted to play God, be that the Catholic or Anglican or any other Church. 9
The chief principles were to become independent from religious or secular hierarchy and
bureaucracy, and authority over the individual

2. Social Impact

England

Moral Reform: Puritans promoted strict moral codes that emphasized temperance, modesty,
and piety. They sought to reform society by enforcing these moral standards through laws
and social practices. Their influence was seen in the regulation of public behavior, the
promotion of sobriety, and the suppression of activities they deemed sinful, such as gambling,
theater, and alcohol consumption.

8
Reinjaya Sitohang, Sabar Manik, and Rostina. “PURITANISM: THE REFLECTION OF AMERICAN
CHARACTER.” Research Journal of English Language and Literature. Vol.8.Issue 1. 2020 (January-March).
9
David L. Moguel. Help Students Explore How Puritanism Shaped the U.S. Government. Available from
https://www.socialstudies.com/blog/how-puritanism-shaped-the-us-government/
Education and Literacy: Puritans were strong advocates for education, primarily to ensure
that everyone could read the Bible. This emphasis on literacy and education contributed to
the spread of learning and the eventual establishment of schools and universities. The Puritan
influence on education helped shape the English emphasis on literacy and informed the
development of public education systems.

America

Community and Social Order: Puritans in America established tightly knit communities
with strict social hierarchies and shared religious beliefs. The idea of a "covenant
community" influenced the social structure, where individuals were expected to conform to
community norms and support one another in living according to biblical principles. This
emphasis on communal responsibility shaped the development of towns and villages in New
England.

Family Structure: Puritans viewed the family as the fundamental unit of society, with a
strong patriarchal structure. Fathers were seen as the spiritual and moral heads of their
households, responsible for guiding their families in religious matters.

The family was the first social institution created by the Lord, and it is clearly foundational to
the others. Strong, godly families make strong, godly churches and strong, godly nations10.

Work Ethic: The Puritan work ethic, which emphasized hard work, thrift, and self-discipline
as forms of religious duty, became a core value in American culture. they believed that
individual success could not be achieved without diligence, hard work, and struggle and that
they could create wealth and value with their own hands 11. This work ethic not only shaped
individual behavior but also influenced the development of American capitalism and the
emphasis on success through hard work.

3. Political Impact

England

Role in the English Civil War: Puritans were key players in the English Civil War, aligning
with the Parliamentarians against King Charles I. Their desire for religious reform and
opposition to the monarchy’s perceived authoritarianism contributed to the war's outbreak.

The Puritans were a small minority, but they were very powerful and influential. Most came
from the gentry or merchant class. They were usually well educated and successful in
business. They were very determined because they believed God was on their side.12

Commonwealth and Protectorate: During the Commonwealth period (1649–1660),

England was governed by Puritan leaders, including Oliver Cromwell. The Puritans
implemented moral legislation, such as the closure of theaters and the enforcement of

10
Rodney Chrisman. Puritan Emphasis on the Importance of the Family. Available from
https://www.rodneychrisman.com/2010/07/22/puritan-emphasis-on-the-importance-of-the-family/
11
Xiaoyun, Zhu. The Application of Puritanism in American Early Literature. ISSN 2690-3644 (Print) ISSN
2690-3652 (Online) Vol. 4, No. 2, 2023.
12
Civil War person: Puritan. Available from https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/education/resources/civil-
war-people/civil-war-person-puritan/
Sabbath observance. However, their rule was often unpopular, leading to the Restoration of
the monarchy in 1660. Despite their political decline, Puritan ideas continued to influence
English political thought, particularly regarding the relationship between church and state.

America

Theocratic Governance: In the American colonies, particularly Massachusetts Bay, Puritans

established a theocratic system where church leaders held significant political power. Laws
were often based on biblical principles, and there was little separation between church and
state.

The Declaration of Independence in 1776 clarified the idea of democracy. The establishment
of the American democratic system depends on early Puritanism. For example, in the
statement—“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they
are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that they are among these are
life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness”, it emphasizes human rights, democracy, freedom
and pursuit of happiness, which coincides with the spirit of Puritanism.13

Legacy of Religious Liberty: Puritanism emphasized conformity to the rule of the Bible and
exalted the covenant above any individual man or woman. 14 The Puritan experience of both
practicing and imposing religious conformity influenced the later American commitment to
religious freedom. The persecution of dissenters within Puritan colonies, along with the
broader experience of religious conflict in England, contributed to the development of the
principle of religious liberty in the United States, as enshrined in the First Amendment.

2.5 Conclusion

Puritanism had a lasting impact on the religious, social, and political development of both
England and America. In England, it contributed to the diversification of religious
expression, the rise of nonconformity, and the political upheavals of the 17th century. In
America, Puritanism shaped the early religious and social structures of New England,
influenced the development of democratic governance, and left a legacy of religious and
moral values that continue to influence American culture today. The Puritan emphasis on
moral rigor, education, community responsibility, and the integration of religion into public
life had far-reaching effects that are still felt in modern Western society.

Puritanism was a significant religious reform movement that arose within the Church of
England in the late 16th and 17th centuries. It played a crucial role in shaping the religious,
social, and political landscape of England and the American colonies. Below is an outline for
a research paper on Puritanism, along with key points that can be expanded.
This outline provides a structured approach to researching and writing about Puritanism.
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Zhu Xiaoyun The Application of Puritanism in American Early Literature. ISSN 2690-3644 (Print) ISSN
2690-3652 (Online) Vol. 4, No. 2, 2023.
Available on
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/370934627_The_Application_of_Puritanism_in_American_Early_Lit
erature
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