The Puritans

Who were they and why were they exiled?

The Puritan’s Bible: The Bible every Puritan family had in their home was not the KJV of 1609 or 1611. The Bible which they carried was the Geneva Bible. The Geneva Bible was the most widely read and influential English Bible of the 16th and 17th centuries, which was printed from 1560 to 1644 in over 200 different printings. (co Christianity.com)

King James had the Bibles printed under his on authority and in his name to reinforce the Authority of royalty and contradict the radicalization by the Puritans that opposed obedience to perceived human authority and rulers. They only submitted to God according the scriptures that they studied. The King and the Pope had no ethical authority over true believers.

"Puritans" had been a name of ridicule first used during the reign of Queen Elizabeth. These were Christians who wanted the Church of England purified of any liturgy, ceremony, or practices which were not found in Scripture. The Bible was their sole authority, and with these beliefs, they believed it applied to every area and level of life.

Puritans Arrive in America

First came the Pilgrims in the 1620s. They were followed by thousands of Puritans in the 1630s, and these Puritans left their mark on their new land, becoming the most dynamic Christian force in the American colonies. Back in England, the Puritans had been people of means and political influence, but King Charles would not tolerate their attempts to reform the Church of England. Persecution mounted. To many, there seemed no hope but to leave England. Perhaps in America, they could establish a colony whose government, society and church were all based on the Bible. "New England" could become a light Old England could follow out of the darkness of corruption.

Good post / topic.
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Many Christians in England & Continent ( not just Puritans.. ) came to North America.
- To escape persecution from 'Church establishment and State.'
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Maybe we need to be reminded that part of history again.

Quakers and Mennonites are a couple of the examples that have progressed with time and are still here. The Amish and Hutterites got stuck in time. But they are still here too.

I was watching a documentary about King James and found part of his motivation for retranslating the bible was to curb puritanism and bolster the authority of the Royalty and the Church of England. I've never heard that before but it made sense so I diverted to a short study about the schism between the King and the Puritans. As a life long American who was taught that was part of the reason for the revolutionary war and the separation of church and state I thought it would be edifying. Also it cautions us not to deify politics or politicians. They all have feet of clay. That's the part history that isn't taught at Church or in school any more.

If you have picked up on the story that some of the Puritans migrated to Holland before coming to America. They fled persecution in England.

Calibob, I found them on Wikipedia. They were called the Pilgrim Colony. You can read about them HERE

It would be interesting to compare Geneva and KJV. Wasn't it Jesus and Paul who taught submission to the powers that be whenever possible? I can't see how that could be edited in or out. I'm glad that KJV still retains the content concerning how we must obey God rather than man at times.

Acts 5
5:27 And when they had brought them, they set [them] before the council: and the high priest asked them,
5:28 Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man's blood upon us.
5:29 Then Peter and the [other] apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.

Good post / topic.
----
Many Christians in England & Continent ( not just Puritans.. ) came to North America.
- To escape persecution from 'Church establishment and State.'
---
Maybe we need to be reminded that part of history again.

I was watching a documentary about King James and found part of his motivation for retranslating the bible was to curb puritanism and bolster the authority of the Royalty and the Church of England. I've never heard that before but it made sense so I diverted to a short study about the schism between the King and the Puritans. As a life long American who was taught that was part of the reason for the revolutionary war and the separation of church and state I thought it would be edifying. Also it cautions us not to deify politics or politicians. They all have feet of clay. That's the part history that isn't taught at Church or in school any more.

First came the Pilgrims in the 1620s. They were followed by thousands of Puritans in the 1630s,

I just finished reading a book on the history of the early church...up to the time of abour 350 AD. Interestingly many elements of the reformation movements were exant in the very early church....and a big point of contention was authority. While some followers pursued relationship the dominant, and ultimately winning, side were those who emphasised religion over relationship.....religion with a very rigid structure.

Calibob, I found them on Wikipedia. They were called the Pilgrim Colony. You can read about them HERE

The Pilgrims were not the same as the Puritans (even though many confuse the two groups).

The Pilgrims were Separatists who did not want to be associated with the Church of England (which was under the British monarch). They wanted to worship in a more biblical manner and had no interest in reforming the Church of England. They were of a more humble station in life and were Congregationaiists.

Puritans, however, were Calvinists who wanted to reform the Church of England, and did not want to separate from it. They also wanted to do what the Reformers were doing in terms of killing heretics (which is not authorized in the Bible). Puritans were also more inclined towards theology and learning, and believed in having a clergy.