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The Puritan Mind
Considered by many the best book on Puritanism. The story of the struggle between Calvinistic determinism and eighteenth-century beliefs involving divine benevolence, natural rights, and democratic humanitarianism.
- GenresHistory
Paperback
First published January 1, 1958
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
December 24, 2025
I always find it interesting to read another perspective, in this case from a philosopher. Some have suggested that this is the BEST book on Puritanism. I wouldn't go that far, but I suppose from a lost person's perspective, that may be the case. The author was a student of John Dewey (That alone should be a red flag) and studied pragmatism, ontology, social philosophy, and fascism. It is hard not to read and write one's worldview into a book of this nature.
He goes into some detail about the tensions or back-and-forth between the conservative (Puritan Mind) and the more liberal side of Christianity. He brings into view the likes of Cotton and Increase Mather, Hutchinson, and others.
Those aware of the backdrop to each of the Awakenings (again, bear in mind the author does not, and most likely cannot, see the importance of the spiritual element of these Awakenings) know there was a great need. The fruit that followed was the result of a mighty moving of the Spirit of God in bringing repentance and holiness, faithfulness, reverence, and a renewed sense of awe of the God they were called to worship.
His view of Edwards falls short of who Edwards truly was, a man who feared God, sought out the lost, and drew the wayward back into the fold.
"The secret of Edward's power lay probably in the fact that the gospel he preached was primarily neither the product of scholastic and theological learning nor a philosophical learning of his time; it was the fruit of his own inner struggles." pg 105
I would recommend the book as a counterpoint to Puritan thought and influence, and for some of the historical material it contains. It has over 260 pages and is actually an easy read.
He goes into some detail about the tensions or back-and-forth between the conservative (Puritan Mind) and the more liberal side of Christianity. He brings into view the likes of Cotton and Increase Mather, Hutchinson, and others.
Those aware of the backdrop to each of the Awakenings (again, bear in mind the author does not, and most likely cannot, see the importance of the spiritual element of these Awakenings) know there was a great need. The fruit that followed was the result of a mighty moving of the Spirit of God in bringing repentance and holiness, faithfulness, reverence, and a renewed sense of awe of the God they were called to worship.
His view of Edwards falls short of who Edwards truly was, a man who feared God, sought out the lost, and drew the wayward back into the fold.
"The secret of Edward's power lay probably in the fact that the gospel he preached was primarily neither the product of scholastic and theological learning nor a philosophical learning of his time; it was the fruit of his own inner struggles." pg 105
I would recommend the book as a counterpoint to Puritan thought and influence, and for some of the historical material it contains. It has over 260 pages and is actually an easy read.
March 1, 2011
This is a must for anyone interested in New England, extremism, how outdoing people isn't always a good idea, why moderation is so English, why Cromwell is the first Stalin and what the Puritans share with the Taliban. Not that these are explore explicitly, but it's all there.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews