MarathonMike
Diamond Member
I came across this summary of the Puritan religion. Wow that is one harsh religion! Check out these guidelines, no wonder people ditched Puritanism the stress must have been horrible. Particularly Note the underlined sentence in Unconditional Election:
Puritan Concepts:
Original Sin. Because Adam sinned, every human is born sinful. This concept of Original Sin has no exceptions; in Michael Wigglesworth's poem "The Day of Doom," even babies who died at birth were condemned to hell (if that fate had been predestined for them). Redemption requires the preliminary overwhelming consciousness of one's own sinful nature.
Unconditional Election. God "saves" those he wishes, the doctrine of predestination. Because God is all-knowing, He already knows the final destination of every soul. Although all "deserve" to go to hell because of original sin, God in his mercy has chosen to save a few. However, a person cannot be totally certain of his or her Election, and thus must constantly examine his or her life and motives to see if they show signs of God's grace.
Limited Atonement. Jesus died for the chosen Elect only, those predestined for heaven, not for everyone.
Irresistible Grace. God's grace, or merciful love, is freely given (to the Elect) but it cannot be earned or resisted. A person cannot "work" his or her way into heaven. However, if truly saved, he or she will want to live as a saint.
Perseverance of the "Saints." The Elect have full power to interpret the will of God, and to live uprightly.
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Do you see the similarity between Unconditional Election and the White Guilt of today? The White Guiltists have to constantly apologize for their inherent Racism and the Racism of their ancestors. And even still they may be called out as a Racist by a virtuous Bronze skinned one. They must then redouble their efforts to prove that they have risen above their original sin of being a White Racist. But alas even that may not be enough.
Puritan Concepts:
Original Sin. Because Adam sinned, every human is born sinful. This concept of Original Sin has no exceptions; in Michael Wigglesworth's poem "The Day of Doom," even babies who died at birth were condemned to hell (if that fate had been predestined for them). Redemption requires the preliminary overwhelming consciousness of one's own sinful nature.
Unconditional Election. God "saves" those he wishes, the doctrine of predestination. Because God is all-knowing, He already knows the final destination of every soul. Although all "deserve" to go to hell because of original sin, God in his mercy has chosen to save a few. However, a person cannot be totally certain of his or her Election, and thus must constantly examine his or her life and motives to see if they show signs of God's grace.
Limited Atonement. Jesus died for the chosen Elect only, those predestined for heaven, not for everyone.
Irresistible Grace. God's grace, or merciful love, is freely given (to the Elect) but it cannot be earned or resisted. A person cannot "work" his or her way into heaven. However, if truly saved, he or she will want to live as a saint.
Perseverance of the "Saints." The Elect have full power to interpret the will of God, and to live uprightly.
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Do you see the similarity between Unconditional Election and the White Guilt of today? The White Guiltists have to constantly apologize for their inherent Racism and the Racism of their ancestors. And even still they may be called out as a Racist by a virtuous Bronze skinned one. They must then redouble their efforts to prove that they have risen above their original sin of being a White Racist. But alas even that may not be enough.