Contemporary Puritan Definition

Contemporary Puritans are synonymous with Christian conservatives and the Religious Right, and are not direct descendants of the original Puritans of New England. They can be of any faith so long as they adhere to certain precepts that contemporary Puritans believe their ideological ancestors would accept. These beliefs include endorsing Judeo-Christian ethics in legal matters and worship as part of public ceremonies.

Features

Contemporary Puritans are followers of Dominion Theology, the belief that Jesus Christ offers his followers control over every aspect of life, from government to business to personal matters. Reconstructionist Christians, a modern Puritan sect, believe that all of society must be rebuilt according to God's law. They also link current events to the Book of Revelations, maintaining that the Apocalypse has begun and the world is in its end times.

Moral Decline

Contemporary Puritans see the United States as enmeshed in a period of moral decline. They point to abortion, gay rights, divorce, violent crime, drugs and other social ills as proof of their beliefs. Although they are active in politics at the local and federal levels, Puritans do not believe that morality can be legislated. After all, crimes are still committed despite laws banning them. Puritans feel that the only way to correct the nation's moral condition is to make a conservative Christian outlook so pervasive that every aspect of society reminds citizens of their duty to God.

Policies

Contemporary Puritans support issues designed to bring God into the public forum. Among these are prayer in public schools, the teaching of Creationism, faith-based initiatives and the mention of God on U.S. currency and in the Pledge of Allegiance. They also favor banning abortion. They are politically active through fundraising, lobbying, running media outlets, manning call centers and running for office.

Historical Parallels

Today's Puritans see themselves as being persecuted like their 17th-century English cousins. They claim to be the victims of religious intolerance from secularists trying to keep religious views out of the public arena. They model their political activism after Puritan Charles Cromwell, who became prime minister after his followers gained a majority in Parliament. Contemporary Puritans advocate electoral, rather than violent, takeover of the government.
Contemporary Puritans have split from Christian conservatives they call Pilgrims. Modern Pilgrims believe that politics and religion should remain separate because Jesus had no interest in earthly rule. While modern Puritans and Pilgrims have similar ends, they disagree on the means.

Significance

Contemporary Puritans, under the better-known names of Christian conservatives the Religious Right and the Moral Majority, have played a major role in U.S. politics. After supporting the election of Democrat Jimmy Carter, an evangelical Christian, in 1976, they supported Republican Ronald Reagan in 1980, and have been primarily behind Republican candidates for every major office since. Christian conservatives played a considerable role in electing George W. Bush in 2000 and 2004. Their support for Israel in Middle East negotiations and the 2003 invasion of Iraq shaped the 43rd president's position on those issues. Modern Puritans and their religious allies continue to play a major role in the Republican Party and the conservative movement.

References

• End Time Pilgrim

Resources

• Biblical discernment Ministries