Today in class, our symantics tests were passed back. We also received graded printouts for the first quarter. Mr. Lazarow claimed that he was upset by the amount of blog participation that had happened during the first quarter. This especially relates to the fact that we have stopped doing our minutes. I decided that I would start off the minutes again and then we can just go around the room. Hopefully this time we will be able to keep order better so that we don't forget about the minutes.
We also discussed the first reading in our Readings in Purtianism packet. This is the reading by William Bradford, called "History of Plymouth Plantation." We discussed the fact that William Bradford used symantic devices in his writing. These included propaganda, maps and territories, varied connotations for the same word, and others.
We also discussed the Mayflower Compact. It was the beginning of a plan to create rules, but wasn't very detailed in describing any specific ones. It also showed the respect that the Puritans had for King James and being British citizens, despite the persecution they had suffered.
Another topic discussed was the Puritan belief of predestination. The Puritans chose to not deal with this topic. They believed that whatever you did with your life is what God has destined to happen.
The only homework was to continue reading in the Puritan packet. We will be going on to the John Withrop readings tomorrow.
--Alexis
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4 comments:
One thing that I noticed early on in the Mayflower Compact was how it said they left England for the "advancement of Christianity". I was wondering if the Puritans believed in the promotion of all the different sects of Christianity or did they consider Puritanism to be the only form of Christianity?
-Mike B
Puritans did probably believed that Puritanism was the only form of Christianity. Which is probably why they denounced the other major forms of Christianity, Catholicism and the Anglican church. Also the Puritan texts we are reading indicate that the Puritans spoke in absolutes, which left no room for alternative beliefs. Finally, when the Puritans were faced with people like Anne Hutchinson, or Roger Williams who preached a different interpretation of the faith, they banished them from the colony. The Puritans were not really tolerant people and probably could not accept or promote different interpretations of the christian faith.
-Ashley Hill
I think that you are right when you say that the puritans did not leave much room for interpretation. You can tell from what William Bradford records, that the puritans see themselves as something to be admired. "stand half amazed at this poor people's present condition."
I also noticed that he gives "the spirit of God and his grace" much of the credit for safety and their accomplishments, could this be due to just strong puritan beliefs? or is this arising out of th fear of divine retribution for taking credit for an act of God?
-Kelsey W
I believe that that assignment of credit of their safety and accomplishments was mostly an attempt to flaunt the idea that the Puritans were the "chosen people." The point of this is most likely to promote that the Puritan way is the best way. However, I am still perplexed why Bradford expected that poeple could be influenced into converting to the Puritan sect if the Puritans themselves did not even seem to understand their own religion, being unable to answer so many questions about their beliefs.
-Jen
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