Wednesday, November 26, 2008

What is the difference between Pilgrims and Puritans?




Pilgrims/Puritans



Pilgrims were separatists who wanted to separate themselves from the Church of England. They also wanted to separate themselves from those who were not believers, the damned. Pilgrims believed they were elected by God for salvation and they wanted to worship only with other “saints” who had also been saved by God.


Puritans were followers of the teachings of Calvin and believed, like the Separatists, that man was born in sin and they all bore the guilt of Adam and Eve. To become saved, they would have to prove they were worthy while here on earth. To be worthy one would prosper, be faithful, and lead a successful life. Instead of separating from the Church of England, they wanted to “purify” the Church of the influence of the Catholic Church within the Anglican Church, thus the name, Puritans.