Why were the calvinist doctrines of unconditional election, irresistible grace, and perseverance of the saints important to early protestants after centuries of catholic abuses?
The Calvinist doctrines of unconditional election, irresistible grace, and perseverance of the saints were important to early Protestants after centuries of Catholic abuses for several reasons:
1. Rejection of Catholic corruption: The Protestant Reformation emerged as a response to what many reformers perceived as widespread corruption within the Catholic Church, including the sale of indulgences, the accumulation of wealth, and the abuse of power. Calvinists emphasized the need for individual salvation and personal relationship with God, rather than relying on the hierarchical structures of the Catholic Church.
2. Assurance of salvation: The doctrine of unconditional election provided a sense of security and assurance to early Protestants. It taught that salvation was solely in the hands of God, and that individuals were chosen by God's grace, independent of their own merits or actions. This was comforting to those who had previously lived under the fear and uncertainty of Catholic teaching, which placed a heavy emphasis on individual works for attaining salvation.
3. God's sovereignty: Calvinism emphasized the absolute sovereignty of God in all aspects of life, including salvation. The doctrine of irresistible grace proclaimed that God's grace was irresistible and could not be thwarted or resisted by humans. This belief stood in stark contrast to the Catholic teachings that emphasized the role of human cooperation in achieving salvation. By emphasizing God's power and control over salvation, Calvinism offered a critique of the Catholic Church's focus on human agency.
4. Personal responsibility: The doctrine of perseverance of the saints, also known as "once saved, always saved," reinforced the idea that salvation was entirely dependent on God's grace and not on an individual's actions or good works. This doctrine provided comfort to Protestants who feared falling away from grace or losing their salvation due to sin. It also served as a critique of the Catholic Church's emphasis on works-based salvation and the notion of purgatory.
Overall, the Calvinist doctrines of unconditional election, irresistible grace, and perseverance of the saints provided a theological framework that challenged the abuses and practices of the Catholic Church. They offered a renewed focus on God's sovereignty, personal assurance of salvation, and a rejection of the perceived corruption within Catholicism. These teachings helped shape the early Protestant movement and provided a theological foundation for the establishment of various Reformed traditions.
How did these doctrines affect the attitudes of the early New England colonists?
The doctrines of unconditional election, irresistible grace, and perseverance of the saints had a significant impact on the attitudes of the early New England colonists in several ways:
1. Sense of purpose and identity: The belief in unconditional election, which taught that God predestined individuals for salvation, gave colonists a strong sense of purpose and identity. They saw themselves as the chosen people of God and believed that their mission was to establish a godly society in the New World. This sense of divine calling and election fueled their determination and resolve in building a society rooted in Calvinist principles.
2. Moral discipline and religious intensity: The belief in irresistible grace, which held that God's grace could not be resisted and that salvation was entirely in God's control, led to a heightened sense of moral discipline and religious intensity among the New England colonists. They believed that their actions and behavior were reflections of their chosen status, and they sought to live virtuous and pious lives as evidence of their salvation. This led to a strong emphasis on community control and the regulation of individual behavior.
3. Fear of falling away: The doctrine of perseverance of the saints, which taught that those elected by God could not lose their salvation, instilled a fear of falling away from grace among the early colonists. While this doctrine provided assurance to some, it also caused anxiety and a constant need for self-examination. This fear contributed to a heightened sense of religious fervor and a desire for spiritual growth and sanctification.
4. Theocratic governance: The combination of these doctrines influenced the establishment of a theocratic form of governance in New England. The early colonists believed that the civil government should be aligned with the principles of the Bible and governed by devout Puritans who were seen as the elect. This resulted in a strict moral code enforced by civil authorities, the close intertwining of church and state, and the suppression of dissenting religious beliefs or practices.
Overall, the doctrines of unconditional election, irresistible grace, and perseverance of the saints played a crucial role in shaping the attitudes of the early New England colonists. They contributed to a sense of purpose, moral discipline, religious intensity, and theocratic governance, all of which helped establish the distinct religious and cultural identity of the New England colonies.