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Puritans

I

Iconoclast

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An interesting read ...do you agree

Eight Reasons Why We Need the Puritans


http://theblog.founders.org/eight-reasons-why-we-need-the-puritans/

1. Because they were mature and we are not.

2. Because they understood the deep sinfulness of the human heart

3. Because they knew their best life was later

4. Because they viewed the family as a little church

5. Because they saw all of life as being lived coram deo—before the face of God.

6. Because they were highly-decorated soldiers on the spiritual battlefield

7. Because they were skilled physicians of souls

8. Because they understood contentment in Christ as the key to genuine happiness.:thumbs:
 
Reformed

Reformed

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I would not disagree with these reasons for needing the Puritans. The Puritans had a right understanding of sin and its corruption of all human affections. But they also had a right understanding of the meritorious work of Christ, and the saving power of the Gospel. Though they are long dead their works speak loudly. We would be far better off if we would heed their instruction.
 
I

Iconoclast

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5. Because they saw all of life as being lived coram deo—before the face of God. For the Puritans in old England and new, there was no sacred/secular divide. If they worked as plumbers, the calling was to plumb to the glory of God. If they farmed, they sowed and reaped in dependence upon God. The Puritans knew vividly that God is omnipresent, that there is not one square inch in all creation where he is not present or where he is not interested in radiating forth his glory. Hard work was for the Puritans a central part of Christian living and what we call the Protestant Work Ethic is a gift passed down from them.
 
M

Marooncat79

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Every believer would do well to read about 6-7 Puritan books especially on Repentance and Divine Comfort
 
agedman

agedman

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I really have mixed thoughts about the Puritans.

On one hand they wanted to abide in the Episcopal (originally the Pope's church) and clean it up - rather than separate from it as the Pilgrims.

The Puritans were not particularly friendly to those who separated and desired to worship without the influence of the state church.

The Puritans persecuted the separatists until the despised actually had to flee first to Holland and then because they did not desire their children to be infected by the culture they finally gathered enough support to sail to the New World.

The Puritans were intolerant toward any view that was not to their liking and at times considered evil that which was not.

The Puritans considered that one was "not right with God if..." and then made up some standard that the whole community had to live by even if the member of the community was not a believer.

Disagree with the Puritans and you were kicked out to fend for yourself - two notable examples: Anne Hutchinson, Roger Williams.

Certainly the Puritans put a premium upon education, and as a result some of their writings are very well thought out.

They were the rich middle class businessmen who, very much like some today, considered advancement, wealth, property, ... the blessing of God and, if one did not have such blessings, it was because they did not work hard enough or were out of the will of God.

Puritans were ok...

But, truthfully,

I wouldn't want to have them for my neighbors.

Give me a Separatist, any day, in comparison to a Puritan.

Separatists knew and know what it is to stand with the armor of God, trusting in God, relying solely upon God, even in the face of great persecution and death around them.
 
I

Iconoclast

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Site Supporter
agedman said:
I really have mixed thoughts about the Puritans.

On one hand they wanted to abide in the Episcopal (originally the Pope's church) and clean it up - rather than separate from it as the Pilgrims.

The Puritans were not particularly friendly to those who separated and desired to worship without the influence of the state church.

The Puritans persecuted the separatists until the despised actually had to flee first to Holland and then because they did not desire their children to be infected by the culture they finally gathered enough support to sail to the New World.

The Puritans were intolerant toward any view that was not to their liking and at times considered evil that which was not.

The Puritans considered that one was "not right with God if..." and then made up some standard that the whole community had to live by even if the member of the community was not a believer.

Disagree with the Puritans and you were kicked out to fend for yourself - two notable examples: Anne Hutchinson, Roger Williams.

Certainly the Puritans put a premium upon education, and as a result some of their writings are very well thought out.

They were the rich middle class businessmen who, very much like some today, considered advancement, wealth, property, ... the blessing of God and, if one did not have such blessings, it was because they did not work hard enough or were out of the will of God.

Puritans were ok...

But, truthfully,

I wouldn't want to have them for my neighbors.

Give me a Separatist, any day, in comparison to a Puritan.

Separatists knew and know what it is to stand with the armor of God, trusting in God, relying solely upon God, even in the face of great persecution and death around them.
Click to expand...

Good post in that you get at both the strengths and weakness of them.

It is hard to understand the seeming disconnect between how they immersed themselves in scripture and got many things correct,and at the same time did not carry over the teaching into their day to day dealings with the unsaved.

I suspect that they had too much of an inward focus and tried to do some of the things in the flesh. That is a danger or pitfall to be avoided even for us.

Some find it easy to slip into a legalistic obedience as a servant,rather then a obedience offered as a son.
 
J

just-want-peace

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Iconoclast said:
-----Some find it easy to slip into a legalistic obedience as a servant,rather then a obedience offered as a son.
Click to expand...

Boy, ain't that the truth!!
I'm 78 now, and this describes the first half or so of my life. Amazing is the freedom when the transition to the latter is made. :godisgood::jesus:
 
I

Iconoclast

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just-want-peace said:
Boy, ain't that the truth!!
I'm 78 now, and this describes the first half or so of my life. Amazing is the freedom when the transition to the latter is made. :godisgood::jesus:
Click to expand...

Yes indeed jwp
..ironically it starts with a sincere desire to seek after holiness in the life which is quite proper.

Sometimes younger Christians come under the influence of a legalistic teacher who mixes truth with error.

This kind of teacher only allows people who agree with their twisted outlook to be in their church....they try and silence any other view because of their own insecurity.
Many souls are hindered by such a person. Those who know the freedom of grace as opposed to a legal spirit cannot be bound by such a false teacher any longer.
Do you find this to be true?
 
Earth Wind and Fire

Earth Wind and Fire

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Iconoclast said:
Yes indeed jwp
..ironically it starts with a sincere desire to seek after holiness in the life which is quite proper.

Sometimes younger Christians come under the influence of a legalistic teacher who mixes truth with error.

This kind of teacher only allows people who agree with their twisted outlook to be in their church....they try and silence any other view because of their own insecurity.
Many souls are hindered by such a person. Those who know the freedom of grace as opposed to a legal spirit cannot be bound by such a false teacher any longer.
Do you find this to be true?
Click to expand...

YES....and unfortunately they come away with a very healthy mistrust of religion when they should be recognizing the Lord saves them (eternally)....and that truth will set you free. Praise God!!!! :godisgood:
 
M

Marooncat79

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Thomas watson
Art of Divine Contentment
Body if Divinity
Valley of Vision: Puritan Prayers

Richard Sibbes
A Puritans Mind
The Bruised Reed

Richard Baxter-online video
Your Everlasting Comfort

Also

Puritanlibrary.com
 
kyredneck

kyredneck

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
Marooncat79 said:
Thomas watson
Art of Divine Contentment
Body if Divinity
Valley of Vision: Puritan Prayers

Richard Sibbes
A Puritans Mind
The Bruised Reed

Richard Baxter-online video
Your Everlasting Comfort

Also

Puritanlibrary.com
Click to expand...

Thanks for the link.
 
T

tyndale1946

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
Iconoclast said:
An interesting read ...do you agree

Eight Reasons Why We Need the Puritans


http://theblog.founders.org/eight-reasons-why-we-need-the-puritans/

1. Because they were mature and we are not.

2. Because they understood the deep sinfulness of the human heart

3. Because they knew their best life was later

4. Because they viewed the family as a little church

5. Because they saw all of life as being lived coram deo—before the face of God.

6. Because they were highly-decorated soldiers on the spiritual battlefield

7. Because they were skilled physicians of souls

8. Because they understood contentment in Christ as the key to genuine happiness.:thumbs:
Click to expand...

The Puritans had simplistic doctrine, simplistic worship, simplistic practice!... They were not perfect and never considered themselves such!... In everything they did they pointed others to Christ the affection and purpose of their lives and worship... Their lives were their worship and their worship was theirs lives... IMHO... The eight points that Iconoclast pointed out is sorely lacking in our churches today!... Brother Glen
 
Earth Wind and Fire

Earth Wind and Fire

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
tyndale1946 said:
The Puritans had simplistic doctrine, simplistic worship, simplistic practice!... They were not perfect and never considered themselves such!... In everything they did they pointed others to Christ the affection and purpose of their lives and worship... Their lives were their worship and their worship was theirs lives... IMHO... The eight points that Iconoclast pointed out is sorely lacking in our churches today!... Brother Glen
Click to expand...

You are telling me!....:laugh: :thumbs::thumbs:

Cept Cromwell was a bloody murderer!:mad:
 
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