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Puritan Influences And The Great Awakening

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Church Impact Discussion

How did Puritan influences and the Great Awakening shape the American church?
According to Shelley (2013), “The “new order” for Christianity in the American colonies threw the churches into another arena. By 1646, for example, eighteen languages echoed from the banks of the Hudson River alone. Probably all the Christian groups were unanimous on one thing: each wanted the liberty to proclaim its own view” (p. 358). This was to be the catalyst for the demise of a national church which was supported by the government and afforded stat protection. Because of the many different groups, it became obvious that each group could have religious freedom and still practice holiness. However, this would mean the loss of state …show more content…

358). Voluntarism is the state or condition of churches deprived of state support. No longer could the church look to the state for help. From the creation of denominations each group was responsible to maintain their mission of preaching and teaching on a voluntary basis. They would shoulder the financial burden and seek new converts without government aid (Shelley, 2013, p. 359). Shelley also stated, “The Great Awakening proved crucial in this new order. It convinced hosts of Christians that voluntarism could work” (2013, p. 359). The Great Awakening is the beginning of what our society today calls separation between state and church. The formation of “American Puritanism originated from a movement for reform in the Church of England, which had a profound influenced on social, political, ethical, and theological ideas of Americans. The forming of American individualism and democratic thoughts were, obviously, influenced by Puritanism in New England. It also shaped American people’s national character of being hard-working …show more content…

There was the Bible, one heaven, one hell, one Jesus Christ, one path of salvation. Yet the symbols were employed for opposite causes. How could God be the God of the South against the North and of the North against the South? How could He have sponsored slavery, as Southerners said, and opposed slavery, as Northerners contended? (p. 407). Just like today, many look to the Bible to support their ideas and motives. To the Southerner’s defense, they saw the Bible as their defense for slavery. While others like “South Carolina’s leading Baptist, argued that the Israelites in the Old Testament were directed to purchase their bondmen and once purchased they were to be “bondmen forever” (Shelley, 2013, p. 406). The same holds true today among Christians. Controversial passages in the Bible remain as people interpret Scripture to support their understanding and views of it. This continues to present a case for division even in today’s churches. As for slavery, the struggle to justify it ended as War Between the States was fought. It was a bloodbath and most damaging to the nation as a whole. However, through it all, Christianity survived in America. “Black churches arose in large numbers, the primary institutional expression of freedom, and the constant reminder of the blind spot in the vision of Christian America” (Shelley, 2013, p.

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