The Chief Characteristic of Early English Puritanism -- By: Edwin C. Deibler

Journal: Bibliotheca Sacra
Volume: BSAC 129:516 (Oct 1972)
Article: The Chief Characteristic of Early English Puritanism
Author: Edwin C. Deibler


The Chief Characteristic of Early English Puritanism

Edwin C. Deibler

[Edwin C. Deibler, Professor of Historical Theology, Dallas Theological Seminary.]

From the days of the apostles until now a certain tension may be traced in the history of the Christian church, a tension which stems from the fact that “from the beginning Christians felt themselves to be in opposition to what they called ‘the world.’“1 Christians understood themselves to be those who possessed a spiritual power or treasure, yet a treasure that was contained in earthen vessels (2 Cor 4:7). How that treasure and the earthen vessels and the world interacted with each other becomes an interesting and important chapter in the story of Christian history. In succeeding ages the church was influenced in differing degrees and manners by the world, and conversely, the world was influenced by the church. Moreover, Christians did not always agree among themselves to what degree the world should be permitted to infiltrate the church, and how pure the church should seek to remain from such infiltration. Such disagreements sometimes led to serious controversy between contending schools of thought. Matters of doctrine were sometimes involved as well as practice and ritual.

In some instances the whole cause of Christianity was weakened by such controversy. Before North Africa was lost to the Christian church as the result of Moslem advance, “the seeds of permanent religious division had been sown”2 by the Donatist controversy, a disagreement between groups of Christians growing out of differing views of how the church and the world should be interrelated.

In other places and times the cause of Christianity seems to have been strengthened as a result of recurring concern among Christians that purer standards of life and thought be maintained. The story of Christian monasticism is punctuated by pulsations of recurring piety. When established monasteries tended to become less concerned that they retain “other-worldly” standards, new leaders arose to rekindle the spark of purity. “The old established monasteries were no longer strict enough to satisfy some of the converts; new orders were founded which made greater demands on their members.”3 So a modern scholar traces the beginnings of a movement which begat the Cluny reforms, the Carthusians, and the Cistercians, and which mightily strengthened the church in her conflict with the political rulers of Europe. “Fervor and piety gave the new orders great prestige; the most influent...

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