Puritans and Pilgrims took their Geneva Bibles and sailed to religious freedom. Though they had persevered through the persecution of “Bloody Mary” and the RCC, they wanted separation from the Church of England because it had combined Reformed doctrine with Roman Catholic dogma which was not tolerable for those who treasure ‘sola scriptura’. They were once again pursued as heretics, now by the CoE just the same as “reformers” had been the target of the RCC before Queen Elizabeth finally declared a ‘unification’ of the two (Church of England and the RCC) for the sake of peace. The bible was no longer THE scripture, CoE now had an approved prayer book and approved form of worship….the Reformers once again looked for free expression of their faith in other lands.
The Pilgrims, who had gone to the Netherlands (where they found freedom of expression) were the first of the group to leave for a new country. They left because they felt their children were becoming too Dutch and leaving their English roots. The Puritans left England because they were now being persecuted by the Church of England.
They were all Calvinist in doctrine, differing from each other in that Puritans were more legalistic and Pilgrims, a sect of the Puritans, were not. Pilgrims ended up at Plymouth “rock” and Puritans were the Massachusetts Bay Colony. These immigrants were never going to compromise scripture with the leaven of the apostates. These were the bearers of light to the new world.
Not wanting an uneducated pastorate, the Reformers founded these colleges: Dartmouth, Yale, Harvard, and Princeton. (Harvard being the first) Their churches were known as Congregational or Presbyterian, depending on the type of church government they preferred. The towns and villages they founded in uncharted lands are still there today and scattered among Vermont, Connecticut, and Massachusetts.
SO….when Americans celebrate Thanksgiving, they celebrate those brave stalwarts of the faith. How many little Pilgrim/Puritan images will decorate the house? Little “calvinist” images at every table? Little reminders that though Americans have split into other groups, we are still in agreement on some of the basics: Trinity, scripture alone and Jesus Christ’s atonement. It’s a starting place. And Calvinists DO have their place at the table.
The Pilgrims, who had gone to the Netherlands (where they found freedom of expression) were the first of the group to leave for a new country. They left because they felt their children were becoming too Dutch and leaving their English roots. The Puritans left England because they were now being persecuted by the Church of England.
They were all Calvinist in doctrine, differing from each other in that Puritans were more legalistic and Pilgrims, a sect of the Puritans, were not. Pilgrims ended up at Plymouth “rock” and Puritans were the Massachusetts Bay Colony. These immigrants were never going to compromise scripture with the leaven of the apostates. These were the bearers of light to the new world.
Not wanting an uneducated pastorate, the Reformers founded these colleges: Dartmouth, Yale, Harvard, and Princeton. (Harvard being the first) Their churches were known as Congregational or Presbyterian, depending on the type of church government they preferred. The towns and villages they founded in uncharted lands are still there today and scattered among Vermont, Connecticut, and Massachusetts.
SO….when Americans celebrate Thanksgiving, they celebrate those brave stalwarts of the faith. How many little Pilgrim/Puritan images will decorate the house? Little “calvinist” images at every table? Little reminders that though Americans have split into other groups, we are still in agreement on some of the basics: Trinity, scripture alone and Jesus Christ’s atonement. It’s a starting place. And Calvinists DO have their place at the table.
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