Cultural Values of the Puritans

Cultural Values of the Puritans

Based on the literary texts that we have read, the Puritans believed in a principally diverse set of cultural and moral values. They stood for many religious ideals that were, what they considered, ways to please God because they believed that their lives were the product of God’s sheer mightiness and benevolence, and that their destinies were shaped by His hands. Theologian John Calvin established Puritanism’s fundamental beliefs of total depravity, unconditional salvation, limited atonement, irresistible grace, perseverance of the saints, and the belief that Jesus Christ died for man's sins. Their belief of original sin was that Eve led Adam to sin, and that sin tainted all of mankind. Their concept of predestination and the innate depravity of man was that select individuals were determined by God for salvation even before those individuals’ births. Only the “elect” or “chosen” are in a righteous relationship with God. The Puritans’ diverse set of cultural and moral values are reflected in numerous early American literary works, several of which are analyzed in this essay.

A look at the roots of Puritanism is necessary in order to grasp the reason why the Puritans austerely adhered to the cultural values they held in such high regard. The Puritans were English Protestants who thought that the religious, moral, and societal reforms of the Church of England were not satisfactory. The Puritans believed an excessive extent of power rested with the priests, bishops, and cardinals. They desired for more direct involvement of congregation members in church affairs, as well as the simplification of worship services. Since the King of England was head of both the church and state, the Puritans' opposition to religious authority meant that they also defied the civil authority of the state. Consequently, the Puritans ultimately escaped persecution at home and immigrated to America, where they established their religion and social beliefs...