Most Americans know little to nothing about who the Puritans were and what they taught….and a major part of what people do know is wrong! Puritanism was nothing more or less than an English expression of the doctrines of the Reformation as formulated by Luther and his associates and other Reformed figures such as Calvin, Bucer and Zwingli.
For Lutherans it is interesting to compare Puritan thought with Lutheran Pietism–a movement which has profoundly affected Lutheranism in the United States. The Association of Free Lutheran Congregations has its background in that Pietist movement brought here in the 18th and 19th centuries by immigrants. When we look at the two movements (Puritanism and Pietism) we can see the relationship is not just between two past movements, but has to do with what we believe, teach and confess today at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Leitersburg.
Both Puritans and the Pietists sought to teach and experience a faith that was truly guiding their lives, the kind of faith we say we desire today.
If you are interested in learning more about the Puritans, my husband, Pastor Terry Culler, will be teaching a continuing education class through Shepherd University via Zoom. The class will begin on Wednesday, March 17 from 3:30PM-5PM and will continue for 6 weeks at the same day and time. To learn more follow the link below:
Shepherd University | Lifelonglearning
You can also contact Pastor Culler at St. Paul’s at 301-739-5443 or email him at freelutherans@myactv.net.
For other posts about the Puritans see:
Heaven is a World of Love by Jonathan Edwards — Book Review
An Introduction to John Owen by Crawford Gribben–Book Review
Beyond Stateliest Marble by Douglas Wilson — Book Review
For more on pietism see:
Lutheran Ladies Connection 
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