The Puritans

I grew up in New England, mostly in MA. I have visited churches that started as Puritans. Before "America" was born, the Puritans arriving in Massachusetts by establishing a theocracy; religion and the power of religious authorities. Puritans were extreme even in their own day. This is one of the causes of Christians who draw their conclusions on either ignorance or loyalty to a specific denomination, cause or movement which creates uneasy division. I have learned alot about Puritans and most their teachings were sound however, they were very paranoid in certain issues. Most were paranoid and scared group of people with imaginations and fantasies. They were superstition with irrational belief resulting from ignorance or fear of the unknown. Puritans believed that the Devil could possess any non-Christian or "unbeliever", and cause him to say or do unordinary and heretical things. The Puritans had enough reasons for court authorities to suspect (without proof) witchcraft was the cause of the illness which some denominations still practice to this day. There were alot of "drama" and "acting" going on which caused people to "believe" such things did happened. This made people think that some are possessed by evil spirits. Puritans are still around but they are not very visible and very few members. I grew up near Plymouth, MA and there were many historical facts presented around New England. People in New England are very familiar with the Puritan History, especially those who lives in towns when the Puritans were dominated in the 1600's. Today's people tend to be ignorant of the complete history of the Puritans and only focus on the infamous part of Puritans history (i.e. Salem trials). I was never a Puritan, nor any of my family were Puritans (that I know of) and I do disagree with some of the Puritans doctrines, practices and others. They were to legalistic and they had their own imaginations and fantasies like some denominations and movements had and/or currently have. Puritans were into legalism and prefer to control their members. Their doctines were sound however their practices did not match with their doctrines. When they were confonted by others regarding their practices, they repented and changed. Just like the rest of us, they were not perfect but they were forgiven Christians. The principles of Puritanism are most comprehensively and magnificently expressed in the Westminster Standards which is Reformed Theology. They do hold Calvinistic doctrines as well as other doctrines. Puritans believes that believers are to be into subjection to Jesus Christ, as He has revealed in His Word which includes individuals, families, churches and well as government. Education was and is vital to Puritanism through Scripture-based education is necessary so that man might glorify God in truth. Regarding the witch trials, the puritans themselves repented of the way the trials were conducted. Their confession was then made: "...as to the Guilt contracted, upon the opening of the late Commission of Oyer and Terminer at Salem (to which the order for this Day relates) he is, upon many accounts, more concerned that any that he knows of, Desires to take the Blame and Shame of it, Asking pardon of Men, And especially desiring prayers that God, who has an Unlimited Authority, would pardon that Sin and all other his Sins; personal and Relative: And according to his infinite Benignity, and Sovereignty, Not Visit the Sin of him, or of any other, upon himself or any of his, nor upon the Land. . . " Governor William Phips put an end to the Salem witch trials precisely because there was the recognition that innocent people were being prosecuted without sufficient tangible evidence of their guilt. Innocent people were being incriminated based upon unsubstantiated accusation. Salem trials have brought down Puritanism in New England. Today, you will find some puritans within the convservative Presbyterian, Congregational and other denominations. There is a good book about the Puritans written by a Theologian named J.I. Packer: "A Quest For Godliness: The Puritan Vision of the Christian Life" will give people a good perspective on the Puritans' background. Here are some of the well-known Puritans Theologians: John Bunyan, Jonathan Edwards, Thomas Goodwin, William Guthrie, Matthew Henry, John Owen and Thomas Watson. I have a list of well-known Puritans who were part of the birth of American and other important American history. I can't find them at the moment.