View Full Version : Were the Puritans Conservative?
Cotton Mather
02-10-2007, 11:51 PM
Were the Puritans always afraid "someone, somewhere, was having fun" as is heard today? No. One Puritan pastor, for instance, instructed his followers to enjoy recreations " including sports like hunting, bowling, swimming and archery " "as liberties, with thankfulness to God that allows these liberties to refresh ourselves." Yes the Puritans lived in a different and far more difficult time, in many ways less frivolous than today. But it was always the generally held view that "the Christian gospel was good, merry glad and joyful tidings, that maketh a man's heart glad, and maketh him sing, and dance and leap for joy" as one Puritan noted.
So what about that dour black dress we're all familiar with? Actually, the Puritans dressed according to the fashions of their day. Black was formal wear for Sundays, but weekday wear was colorful and bright. Commentators from the period regularly describe Puritan preachers and community leaders as dressed in colorful, costly, even elaborate clothes.
Nor did the Puritans eschew "the world." One Puritan expressed the common sentiment that "this world and the things thereof are all good, and were all made of God, for the benefit of his creatures."
rrford
02-10-2007, 11:57 PM
Now you're gonna go and mess up some folks comparison of the UPCI as being modern day Puritans.
Cotton Mather
02-11-2007, 12:02 AM
Now you're gonna go and mess up some folks comparison of the UPCI as being modern day Puritans.
Who in the world would do that?
AS IF!
Our preaching isn't nearly as literary, Word-based, lengthy, or passionate as theirs was.
Of course you will need to overlook that whole trinitarian thing. :tease
rrford
02-11-2007, 12:06 AM
Who in the world would do that?
AS IF!
Our preaching isn't nearly as literary, Word-based, lengthy, or passionate as theirs was.
Of course you will need to overlook that whole trinitarian thing. :tease
Hmmm, now some would say our preaching is very Word based. We may need to clarify that term. As for the "length" I reckon that all depends upon who is doing the preaching. Less passionate? Again, dependant upon the preacher. Same with literary.
Of course, you are most likely speaking on the broad, overall sense. I would probably have to agree with you from that perspective.
Arphaxad
02-12-2007, 12:29 PM
Now you're gonna go and mess up some folks comparison of the UPCI as being modern day Puritans.
When did the UPCI start hanging witches?
Ronzo
02-12-2007, 12:31 PM
When did the UPCI start hanging witches?
I've seen my share of witch hunts....
Were the Puritans always afraid "someone, somewhere, was having fun" as is heard today? No. One Puritan pastor, for instance, instructed his followers to enjoy recreations " including sports like hunting, bowling, swimming and archery " "as liberties, with thankfulness to God that allows these liberties to refresh ourselves." Yes the Puritans lived in a different and far more difficult time, in many ways less frivolous than today. But it was always the generally held view that "the Christian gospel was good, merry glad and joyful tidings, that maketh a man's heart glad, and maketh him sing, and dance and leap for joy" as one Puritan noted.
So what about that dour black dress we're all familiar with? Actually, the Puritans dressed according to the fashions of their day. Black was formal wear for Sundays, but weekday wear was colorful and bright. Commentators from the period regularly describe Puritan preachers and community leaders as dressed in colorful, costly, even elaborate clothes.
Nor did the Puritans eschew "the world." One Puritan expressed the common sentiment that "this world and the things thereof are all good, and were all made of God, for the benefit of his creatures."The Puritans, at least the ones in Massachusetts Bay Colony, were Calvinists who believed in a doctrine called "theonomy" in which God's law was to be applied to civil government. Essentially, they applied the Law of Moses (at least what is often called the "moral" part of it as opposed to the "ceremonial" part of it) to their colonial government. They are predecessors to today's Christian Reconstructionists.
Cotton Mather
02-12-2007, 12:43 PM
wikipedia
The term "Theonomy" has been used to describe various views which see the God revealed in the Bible as the sole source of human ethics. Using the word in this sense, Cornelius Van Til argued that there "is no alternative but that of theonomy or autonomy" (Christian Theistic Ethics p. 134). John Calvin and the Continental Reformers, the Westminster Divines and other Puritans, and Christian Reconstructionists, each developed theonomy in this sense.
Since the mid 1970's theonomy has been most often used in Protestant circles to specifically label the ethical perspective of Christian Reconstructionism, a perspective that claims to be a faithful revival of the historic Protestant view of the Old Testament law as espoused by many European Reformers and Puritans.
Cotton Mather
02-12-2007, 12:46 PM
For those who don't know:
Calvinism
In Protestantism, the theology developed and advanced by John Calvin. It was further developed by his followers and became the foundation of the Reformed church and Presbyterianism. As shaped by Calvin's successor at Geneva, Theodore Beza (1519–1605), Calvinism emphasizes the doctrine of predestination, holding that God extends grace and grants salvation only to the chosen, or elect. It stresses the literal truth of the Bible, and it views the church as a Christian community in which Christ is head and all members are equal under him. It therefore rejects the episcopal form of church government in favor of an organization in which church officers are elected. Calvinism was the basis of theocracies in Geneva and Puritan New England (see Puritanism), and it strongly influenced the Presbyterian church in Scotland.
brittanica
ReformedDave
02-12-2007, 01:37 PM
For my first post here let me say that I love this thread!!!!!:bliss
Nahum
02-12-2007, 01:38 PM
For my first post here let me say that I love this thread!!!!!:bliss
Me too. This guy is great!
ReformedDave
02-12-2007, 01:39 PM
Me too. This guy is great!
Anyone who quotes Cornelius Van Til can't be all bad!
Nahum
02-22-2007, 07:34 PM
Anyone who quotes Cornelius Van Til can't be all bad!
I know, this guy must be a genious.
hammondb3klingon1
02-22-2007, 07:37 PM
With a name like cotton he must be good and his parents... Definitely hippies
hammondb3klingon1
02-22-2007, 07:40 PM
Blathering in Jesus Name Church I like it
RevDWW
02-22-2007, 07:47 PM
Cotton's pick'n!
Cotton Mather
02-22-2007, 07:49 PM
Mather likes to blather.
I am sorry my posts bore you, Brother Alicea.
My fastidiousness has often been mistaken for blather, although this opinion is usually only held by those with very simple minds.
UM .... by the way it's ..... C-O-N-S-E-R-V-A-T-I-V-E
hammondb3klingon1
02-22-2007, 07:52 PM
OOO Schmack on Dan Dan by the Cotton Man, Cotton Gin, Gin, Wine, Beer, Japanese Sushi, ahh forget it. Nice smack for the Man of Cotton(The fabric of our lives and forum)
Feel my PAIN STICK ... Kling-on
hammondb3klingon1
02-22-2007, 07:56 PM
Is a pain stick like speed stick because if so, bring it on.
hammondb3klingon1
02-22-2007, 07:56 PM
or I should say roll it on
Is a pain stick like speed stick because if so, bring it on.
Klingy's idea of a good time ...
http://images.wikia.com/memoryalpha/en/images/0/0a/Age_of_ascension_pain_sticks.jpg
berkeley
02-22-2007, 08:00 PM
Klingy's idea of a good time ...
http://images.wikia.com/memoryalpha/en/images/0/0a/Age_of_ascension_pain_sticks.jpg
I'd enjoy that!! :heeheehee
hammondb3klingon1
02-22-2007, 08:00 PM
Pain is temporary pride is forever but push a giraffe out of a helicopter...
I'd enjoy that!! :heeheehee
You worry me sometimes Berk ... for rizzle.
berkeley
02-22-2007, 08:03 PM
You worry me sometimes Berk ... for rizzle.
:killinme
ReformedDave
02-22-2007, 08:10 PM
Love those puritans. Wish we had more of them. (I have close to 100 of their books in my library)
Love those puritans. Wish we had more of them. (I have close to 100 of their books in my library)
They have their legalists too.
ReformedDave
02-22-2007, 08:24 PM
They have their legalists too.
Yes but compared to today's crop they are giants.
Which of their works have you read?
"Why Anne Hutchins Must Go ..."
ReformedDave
02-22-2007, 08:31 PM
"Why Anne Hutchins Must Go ..."
In theory I agree but if you relegate your reading to the witch hunt it's your loss.
In theory I agree but if you relegate your reading to the witch hunt it's your loss.
Perhaps you can make a recommendation, Dave. Something lite, for starters ... before I go Tulippy.
ReformedDave
02-22-2007, 08:42 PM
Perhaps you can make a recommendation, Dave. Something lite, for starters ... before I go Tulippy.
One of the easiest and most wonderful of the puritans to read is Thomas Watson. Very devotional. Also, there is a collection of Puritan Prayers (The Valley of Vision) that you can get in paperback and is the greatest devotional book I know of.
"Altogether Lovely" by Jonathan Edwards is a great collection of sermons on the sweetness of Christ. (by Sola Deo Gloria Pub)
One of the easiest and most wonderful of the puritans to read is Thomas Watson. Very devotional. Also, there is a collection of Puritan Prayers (The Valley of Vision) that you can get in paperback and is the greatest devotional book I know of.
"Altogether Lovely" by Jonathan Edwards is a great collection of sermons on the sweetness of Christ. (by Sola Deo Gloria Pub)
I'll give 'em a try ... no promises.
ReformedDave
02-22-2007, 08:49 PM
I'll give 'em a try ... no promises.
Don't try them all. Start with the 'Valley of Vision'. Small and inexpensive bites.
Don't try them all. Start with the 'Valley of Vision'. Small and inexpensive bites.
Okey dokey smokey ... I will.
ReformedDave
02-22-2007, 08:54 PM
Valley of Vision-
Evening Praise
Giver of all, another day is ended and I take my place beneath my great redeemer's cross, where healing streams continually descend, where balm is poured into every wound, where I wash anew in the all-cleansing blood, assured that Thou seest in me no spots of sin. Yet a little while and I shall go to Thy home and be no more seen; help me to gird up the loins of my mind, to quicken my step, to speed as if each moment were my last, that my life be joy, my death glory.
I thank Thee for the temporal blessings of this world—the refreshing air, the light of the sun, the food that renews strength, the raiment that clothes, the dwelling that shelters, the sleep that gives rest, the starry canopy of night, the summer breeze, the flowers' sweetness, the music of flowing streams, the happy endearments of family, kindred, friends. Things animate, things inanimate, minister to my comfort. My cup runs over. Suffer me not to be insensible to these daily mercies. Thy hand bestows blessings: Thy power averts evil. I bring my tribute of thanks for spiritual graces, the full warmth of faith, the cheering presence of Thy Spirit, the strength of Thy restraining will, Thy spiking of hell's artillery. Blessed be my sovereign Lord!
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