Being
new in Puritanism studies, I am thrilled with the tons of information about the
Puritans and I somehow regret because I could have learned about them for the
past years. Indeed there is a lot to learn from the Puritans. This is
especially true when I browsed through the book by Horton Davies.
Puritans
intended fundamental tenets from Calvin in contrast with the Anglicans, who
followed Luther’s theology. This difference is the root of their differing
expressions of public worship. [1]
Every
church today may not necessarily be Puritan nor Anglican or hold strictly to
Lutheran or Calvin doctrinally speaking. The thing is that there is uniqueness
in public worship expression. And as long as everything is Biblical and
pleasing in the eyes of the Lord, then who will say that the worship is invalid?
So what are differences according to the book? One of the
many differences is that Lutheran service is subjective while the Calvinist
service is objective.[2] The former “contained hymns which are the
paraphrases of the Christian experiences..” This is evident in many churches
today as expressed in many Christian contemporary Music and modern worship
songs. There are only few Christians today who do what is being done in a
Calvinist service, where praises are entirely scriptural, only allowing Psalms.
The difference is clear in a sense that Puritans, holding
to Calvinist tradition, believe that what is to be done is only what is
ordained by God in the scriptures. Anglicans, on the other hand holding to
Lutheran tradition, “will have what is not specifically condemned by the
scriptures.”[3]
There were so many controversies between the Puritans and
Anglicans as the author expounded them well in every chapter. The point of
Puritans is that Anglicans tend to miss the spirit of the scriptures as there
is much focus on matters like vestments, ceremonies, forms of prayer,
liturgical principles, and so forth. “Puritans observed the spirit of the
Scriptures rather than the letter..”[4]
I partly agree with the Puritans that there should not be
“additions” as what the Anglicans do as they urge traditions in their belief
system. Nonetheless, I feel that depending on the culture of a certain people
group, especially today, we can freely contextualize but strongly with
reservations. The Scriptures should still be over every contextualization.
Thus, we can express worship to God according to the unique creation that He
has designed us but always reckoning with what the Scripture says.
What
were written on the Bible were mostly for the Jewish culture. But in reality, Filipino
culture is different, so as Khmer, so as Koreans, so as Americans, and so
forth. We are all unique and I believe the Lord has prewired each one of us to
express that uniqueness in worship to Him.
A
strong point that Puritans have though is that, “If God does not ordain these
things in worship in His worship, how can they either please Him, or be
edifying to His people?”[5] I would agree. But the
Bible also says that there still a lot of things that Jesus did and taught but
were not included in the writings. Hence there should be balance between
interpreting the Word of God from the literal to the metaphorical perspectives.
“The
Bible, the whole Bible, and nothing but the Bible, is the religion of the
Puritans.”[6] As Puritans also approved the famous dictum
that “The Bible is the Religion of the Protestants.” I strongly believe that we
are to keep everything Biblical as Puritans would assert at all times.
“More
radical Puritans and Separatists regarded the Lord’s prayer as a pattern and
held that it was not intended that it should be repeated.” This one is
agreeable since Jesus Christ Himself said before the prayer, “This is how you
should pray…” and not that “This should be your prayer..”. The Anglicans however interpreted it as
literal command for repetition. Later Presbyterians combined both views.
One
thing I admired about Puritans is their high commitment to gain more thorough
knowledge of the Word of God. Hence their sermons are relatively regarded with
high value. These are manifested by factors like vehement gestures, diction and
so forth. To them “preaching was God’s appointed means of bringing men to
salvation.. the most effective way of gaining the interest of a congregation
and of educating it.. it could adapt themselves to the needs of the particular
congregation and to the age in which men lived.”[7] And speaking of sermon, Puritans normally
invest the whole day to the Lord as their Sabbath day, wherein they attend two
services. Today, not a lot of churches care so highly about the sermon as
Puritans did before. Most are more concerned of fellowship and usually not
focusing on the Word of God anymore. This is the sad reality in many contemporary
churches.
There
were three main divisions amongst the Puritans: The Indpendents, the Baptists,
and the Presbyterians.[8] The difference is seen for
example in the time and the way the sacraments were instituted. Nonetheless,
all Independents, Baptists and Presbyterians still held strictly on the
guidance of Scriptures in the administration of the sacraments: the Lord’s supper
and Baptism. This is a good example to imitate since some churches today sadly
have their own versions of the
sacraments. Some “reinvent” ceremonies to bring “flavour” into the
celebrations, desiring that the LORD is pleased. This is especially true today
when the Pandemic is still felt all over the world. I saw a viral post about a
catholic priest using a water gun to baptize a child and it looked really
hilarious. I wonder what God thinks about it.
The
doctrine of ordination in the book also made me think a lot especially in our
local church. The Puritans clearly take this seriously. What amazes me is the
issue about the “laying of hands”. Once
upon a time, they were not sure if they will lay hands to the people being
ordained for ministry in the church as it was either an “bene esse” or “esse”.
I never thought that laying of hands has been restricted just for the elders
and local church to do, disallowing neighbouring ministers present during
ordination to lay their hands on the ministers being ordained. Today, we just
invite all who are present to raise their hands as a sign of blessing or
anointing to the ministers being ordained. In contemporary churches, as far as
I have experienced, be it independents, Pentecostal, and so forth, there are no
categories for as long as you are one in Spirit in the church, you are free to
lay hands. At this point in the book, I am really in awe of how loyal each
Puritan was to the Scriptures. On another note, I was thinking, are they being
so dogmatic already for having all these strict “rules”? I would say no,
because that is how they understood what true worship is. God is holy and He
just deserves holiness out of us and if that is how the Puritans understood
holiness, they I would agree with their ways. Nonetheless, the LORD looks at
the heart and not focuses on the way things are being done.
To
sum up what are approved or disapproved by the Puritans, it is noted that rings
in marriage should not be used, no crossing of Baptism, no surplices as
suspicious garments, no need to kneel during communion, having free prayer, and
most of all emphasizing the importance of preaching as it is also called
prophesying to the congregation.
What
I am very much agreed with the Puritans is central position of the Bible in
worship, doctrines, government, marriage, and all aspects in the Church.
Nonetheless, the differences will never be inevitable because all of us are
created unique. We have independent understanding and interpretation of the
Scriptures and as long as the degree of differences is not significant as
destroying our relationships as children of God, I believe it is all well. All
these differences at low intensity will be blotted out once we see Christ face
to face. All our questions and confusion will be answered when we get there.
Our final glorification will bring light to all these and while we are still
waiting for it, it is important that we all be patient with one another, and
not criticize and hate one another, as if one is not abiding by our own
standards.
God’s
standard is holiness. And no matter our ways in worship to Him, the end point
is that God is looking at our hearts. What is inside while we worship Him is
only known by you and our Lord. That is all that matters.
