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The Puritans were not perfect, but their legacy holds great value for modern Christianity and the people of the United States, particularly in their commitment to Scripture, discipline and a vision of a God-honoring society.
Puritans and Education
Puritans were champions of education. Most historians acknowledge that the American education system was largely shaped by Puritan influence. Notably, Harvard and Yale were founded by the Puritans. While both institutions are now more secular than Christian, the idea of education centered on God can still thrive in a nation historically rooted in Christianity.
States such as Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas have pushed initiatives to bring God back into the school system. While the separation of church and state makes this movement difficult, the rise of homeschooling and private schools, particularly through voucher programs, makes it a legitimate possibility.
For Puritans, education was the foundation of a free society and a successful civilization. It is no coincidence that this same principle was applied during and after World War II when Americans educated German POWs and the youth in Germany on freedom, democracy and limited government. These standards existed long before the Revolutionary War, deeply rooted in Puritan teaching.
For Puritans, it was the primary responsibility of the parents and the church to educate versus that of the government.
Self-Governance Under God
Early Puritans in the colonies emphasized self-governance under God. Often misunderstood, they never sought a theocracy, but they did believe in a free society where the state would not regulate worship. The Founding Fathers were heavily influenced by Puritan ideals, as seen in George Washington’s reflections on his childhood. Historians argue that Puritan thinking led to warnings against unchecked government power.
History matters in this discussion. The Puritans knew firsthand the dangers of an overreaching government, as many of them were persecuted and even killed by the government in England.
Morality in Government
While the Puritans never sought a theocracy, they firmly believed morality should be in government. The Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution reflect this. Some key phrases include:
“All men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights.” (Declaration of Independence)
“With a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence.” (Declaration of Independence)
“We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility.” (U.S. Constitution)
The last phrase is said to echo the Puritan idea of covenant theology, in which society is seen as an agreement with God.
Danger of Government Overreach
Beyond their influence on government, ethics and morality were the foundation of Puritan life. They abhorred laziness and believed in self-sufficiency. The government was never meant to be the provider—instead, Christians were to rely on God, family, and the Church. Looking at modern America, there has been a departure from this way of thinking.
Many Christian scholars argue that when the government replaces the Church as the provider, danger follows. Morality begins to erode, and God’s influence on society disappears.
Christianity has stood against socialism and communism, and this is largely due to the deeply rooted Puritan view of democracy found in American history. While America is not a Christian nation by mere definition, it was founded by Christians seeking to glorify God.
Remembering and learning from the Puritans allows us to focus on the foundational principles they once revered—an emphasis on God-centered education, the importance of self-governance not only in relying on God but in acknowledging Him, and the restoration of morality as a guiding force in society. The Puritans understood that the only genuine institution capable of transforming the world is the Church, not the government.
