The Genius of Puritanism

by Peter H. Lewis

Book by Lewis, Peter

Genres: Christian, Christianity, Church History, History

144 pages, Paperback

First published June 5, 2001

About the author

Peter H. Lewis is a well-known conference and convention speaker and a member of the Theological Coission of the World Evangelical Fellowship. He has contributed to several books and is the author of The Genius of Puritanism.

Reviews

[Marjorie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book serves as a general introduction to the Puritans; their foray on the religious scene, brief analyses of their body of work and sermonizing, and lastly, how puritans specifically addressed certain spiritual topics.

The book was a bit choppy to digest. The beginning 2/3 of the book covered so much info it should have been a book in itself. It covered such great orators and writers like Richard Sibbes, Thomas Taylor, Jeremiah Burroughs, and plenty other names that were new to me, but heavyweights in the roots of the reformed tradition.

I had preconceived notions of puritans that were dismantled in reading this book. Particularly the way their preachers preached. I wasn’t expecting their sermlns it to be so colloquial and vividly entertaining.

My favorite part of the book came when Lewis shared what he found in how these men addressed a soul’s “wintry-dark” time in their faith. As in, how they handled depression and disillusionment and doubt. I was surprised by how readily I identified with the words of Goodwin, Robert Asty, William Bridge. Lewis whetted my appetite for digging into the original source material with the snippets he shared.

[Logan Seibert · Rating 3 out of 5]

I most appreciated Lewis' detailed focus on the Puritan's insight into 'desertion' and spiritual depression. This is not a commonly addressed topic in modern evangelical churches and the saints are suffering because of it. This is a great book to be introduced to what desertion and spiritual depression is, and how godly men of old have sought to deal with it. This alone makes this book valuable for those who find their souls cast into a dark night, and for any Christian who desires to not be miserable comforters, like Job's friends.

[Lachlan Phillips · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book, as an introduction to several Puritan authors and what they had to say on some issues.

Peter gave an overview on what the Puritans had to say about preaching the word, hearing the word, and a summary of their thoughts on spiritual depression, as an example of how they as pastors dealt with issues their people had.

All three sections were good and made sense, but I particularly found the last beneficial.

I'm hoping to read some of the books he referenced in the future, and I'll keep an eye out for the mentioned authors.

[Dane Jöhannsson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful introduction to the puritans and some of their main themes. This book is rich with quotes from the puritans on such topics as the puritan as preacher/their views on what preaching is and how it should be done, the puritan as church member (how they should hear sermons and retain them), the puritan as pastor/shepherd (walking their people through doubt, growth in grace, comforts, assurance, means of grace, fear and depression), examining our own hearts in light of the word, spiritual depression/desertion and its cure. A grand volume with a grand theme.

[Josh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lewis provides a helpful overview of Puritansnism. I found the first half of the book to be helpful to understand the life and priorities and the Puritans. It was also instructive, ecouruaging, and convicting as I consider my life as follower of Jesus, and my role as a pastor of church. The first half of the book looked at The Puritan in the Pulpit, in the Pew, and in Private. The second half of the book sought to demonstrate how the puritans sought to apply their conviction that the Word of God provides all we need for help in this life, and that there thourough knowledge of the Word allowed them to apply "balm" to the sores of the people. He does this by focusing on one area- Spiritual Desertions and Depressions and drawing on many puritans seeks to demonstrate how thouroughly and carefully they sought to help people. I found the second half of the book to be a bit to fragmented- as I suppose is the natural result of trying to draw in the writings of numerous puritians all of the same subject. Overall, the book is a helpful look into what made the Puritans, the Puritans. You will be encoruaged, helped, and convcited.

[Simon Field · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helpful in introducing readers to multiple Puritan preachers and their thought.

The first half of the book acts as general overview of Puritan preaching and how those listening to preaching received the word (the Puritan in the Pew). The final part (The Puritan in Private) focused specifically on spiritual desertion and depression which although is an important aspect of Puritan thinking and experience, detracted from the generality of the first two sections. Great overall but it's good to be aware that half of this book acts as an overview of Puritan thinking while the second half focuses only on one subsection of living as a Christian under Puritanism.

[Benjamin Cervantes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very brief and absolutely superb!

[Justin Andrusk · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thought this was an excellent summary of Puritan thought and how necessary it is for the church never to forget the tokens of grace that they have left for us. I particularly enjoyed the focus on Christian depression and the remedies that were provided. The author also had a pretty good balance of quotes from a variety of Puritan sources.

[J. Alfred · Rating 4 out of 5]

About a fourth of this book is unvarnished haigiography, and the rest is an extended treatement of the Puritans' answers to the question of "Spiritual Desertion." In other words, it seems like this is two books jammed together to make one book-length text. It is filled with good stuff, however, even if it is a little dry and the author's attitude is close to fawning at times.

[Stephen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good introduction to the Puritans through extracts on particular themes common to the Puritan mind. I found the format of 'toggling' between the author's writing and the original source material a bit difficult.

[Chrys Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent read on the Puritan view of preaching and counsel for depressed souls in the church!