Contradictions In The Puritan Religion
Life is full of many contradictions, and the basis of the Puritan
religion is no exception. The Puritans believed that they were God's chosen
people, as mentioned in the Bible. They saw themselves on a level above the
average man, but in reality, their religion was full of inconsistencies. The
Puritans believed in something known as the �Doctrine of Elect,' hinted at in
Romans 8:28-30, 9:6-24, and later at the Synod of Dort.. The doctrine
contradicted the more widely held belief of Pelagianism, the belief that man
could redeem himself through acts of charity, piety, and by living an unselfish
life. It came to be one of the greatest theological discrepancies of all time.
Evidently, ...
Want to read the rest of this paper?
Join Essayworld today to view this entire essay
and over 50,000 other term papers
|
stated that God determines a mans' destiny, whether it be redemption
or condemnation, regardless of any worth or merit on the person's part. It
could be compared to the failures of Communism in that no matter how hard a
person worked, how devout a person was, how often a person went to church, there
was no way to get into Heaven unless they were chosen. Aside from the doctrine
of elect, the Puritans had other outrageous beliefs including the degradation of
one's self, the utter and total dependence on divine grace for salvation, and
the wrath of an angry God.
The God worshipped by the Puritans was not a forgiving God, and
definitely not a happy God. The Puritans fear him and tried zealously to make
themselves worthy in his eyes. They insisted that they, as God's special elect,
had the duty to conduct affairs carrying out his will according to the Bible.
Though many of their beliefs seemed outrageous, the most heinous of all was the
aforementioned �Doctrine of Elect.'
If ...
Get instant access to over 50,000 essays.
Write better papers. Get better grades.
Already a member? Login
|
CITE THIS PAGE:
Contradictions In The Puritan Religion. (2005, September 5). Retrieved March 27, 2025, from http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Contradictions-In-The-Puritan-Religion/32799
"Contradictions In The Puritan Religion." Essayworld.com. Essayworld.com, 5 Sep. 2005. Web. 27 Mar. 2025. <http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Contradictions-In-The-Puritan-Religion/32799>
"Contradictions In The Puritan Religion." Essayworld.com. September 5, 2005. Accessed March 27, 2025. http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Contradictions-In-The-Puritan-Religion/32799.
"Contradictions In The Puritan Religion." Essayworld.com. September 5, 2005. Accessed March 27, 2025. http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Contradictions-In-The-Puritan-Religion/32799.
|
Save
Report