Puritan Theology and American Utopia (Article Sample)

Name Professor Course Date Puritan Theology and American Utopia Puritanism was initially coined as a mocking word for extreme reformists and perfectionists who questioned the "purity" and "godliness" of the Anglican Church (Church of England). These reformists felt that the Church of England's efforts towards Protestantism were insufficient because many catholic traditions were still in practice and therefore sought to purify the church (Foner 69). The puritans consider themselves "the true Protestants," whose theology revolves around experimental and practical religion strictly guided by the Bible. Puritan Theology Puritan theology insists on personal connection with God through reading the Bible, listening to sermons, and interpreting them, not church doctrine. Notably, puritan theology is Christ-centered insisting on total adherence to the scripture in everyday activities, including governance, and anyone who does not uphold moral behavior in all aspects of life could not lead others (Foner 68). There is no compromise in Puritan theology as far as adherence to godliness, morality and practical faith is concerned, and more importantly, puritan theology is based on predestination in that the "saints" and the "damned" are already predetermined, and no religious ceremony or action can change that. Puritan Theology Compared to my Theology Puritan theology is similar to my theology in various aspects, including the emphasis on using the scripture as a guideline for the Christian life. However, my theology is often more focused on the New Testament than the Old Testament in what is referred to as theology replacement. As much as we acknowledge all the scriptures, some Old Testament scriptures about Israel have been replaced by New Testament scriptures about the church. On the one hand, puritan theology views salvation as a predetermined gift given to the "saints," while those who lack the gift have been damned. On the other hand, my theology insists on salvation for anyone willing to believe in Christ and follow His teaching. Finally, while my theology views governance as ordained by God, it does not acknowledge a theocracy form of government as advocated by my puritan theology. Puritan Theology and the Utopian Ideas of America Puritan theology uses America's utopian ideas as a platform to start afresh without interference from the "ungodly". An imaginary America, as described by Thomas More in his novel "Utopia," is characterized by free conscience, togetherness, radical freedom, and safety (Foner 59). America is presented as a political and social haven where settlers could seek refuge from economic and social inequalities back in England, and many Englishmen resonated with it. The first Puritan settlers to arrive in New England considered themselves "Israelites," crossing the Atlantic Ocean (symbolic red sea) to America, the "Promised Land". Having given up on their mission to reform or purify the Church of England from within, the puritans were determined to become the "light of the world" and a "city build on a hill" in English America. Therefore, the Puritan theology banked on Utopian America to start an ideal social and religious pattern based on their emphasis on a godly nation and individual rather than a single church. Uto...