The American Puritans

This book is a gift to readers! Benge and Pickowicz not only bring to life these important historical figures, they do so in such a way that readers are captivated and energized by the power of the gospel in their lives. Adroitly weaving together the history of nine people who brought the Puritan way to America, the authors invite readers into the courage and conviction these committed Christians exhibited in coming to America “to pursue lives of faithfulness to the gospel of Jesus Christ,” and to establish “pure” churches.The passion, purpose and piety of these individuals powerfully influenced the formation of early American society. I am particularly impressed and inspired by the life and ministry of Thomas Shepard, whose “earnest desire was for God to be glorified in New England.” He was known for his godliness and devotion to piety and his “fixation on the glory of Christ channeled his zeal toward soul winning and church purity.” Each well-written chapter provides a glimpse into the compelling effect the gospel had on the lives of these faithful believers and prompts this reader (and hopefully others) to pray that the Lord would stir up such zeal and devotion to piety in me!Though the centuries that followed have distanced American society from the priorities of the gospel-centered lives of these early settlers, perhaps by becoming acquainted with these American Puritans, believers today will be reacquainted with our own purpose to live for the glory of God and, like Shepard, to spend ourselves “vigorously to that end.”

Great read, kept interested in relative points and glimpse into life in the new world and the trials and blessings that God brought

Well worth the read! Well researched and written in an easy to read style. These stories of lives well lived will compel you to love and serve the Lord Jesus Christ with fresh zeal!

Do you want to learn more of the Puritans that came to the New World? This book is worth reading. It is authored by Dustin Benge a professor of historical Theology at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and a senior fellow for Baptist studies. He has done a great job giving the biographical sketch of some of the Puritans who came over to the New World (what we later call America).After an introduction on who were the Puritans (and specifically the American Puritans) the book has nine chapters on the biography of nine Puritans. The first is William Bradford who was the governor of the Plymouth colony for thirty years. I’ve heard of his name in the context of American history and American political development and it’s encouraging to read of how his faith and spirituality drove him as a leader in Plymouth. The second chapter is also on a political figure: John Winthrop the first governor of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. The next three chapters explores ministers and preachers: John Cotton, Thomas Hooker and Thomas Shepard. I like how chapter six switches gear and focuses on Anne Bradstreet a Puritan poet. Chapter seven looks at an early Puritan Missionary to the Native Americans: John Eliot. The final two chapters looks at two more New England minister, Samuel Willard and the famous Cotton Mather.Overall the book was immensely gratifying to read and a spiritual encouragement to my soul. Something early in the book that caught my attention was the author’s point that the term Puritan was originally a pejorative. It made me think of the pejorative today for serious Bible Christians, how every generation there’s some term and we as Christians should continue to be faithful rather than give in to the fear of man. I was struck reading this book just how many giants in the faith there were from English Puritans that went to the New World; for a population size that was rather small, there’s a high concentration of godly men and women. Reading this made me desire to continue to grow in being a godly man of God and minister of the Gospel. I recommend this work.

My husband ordered this book. He loves reading about the Puritans. The Puritans had great insight into many things that apply even now.

A well-researched, exciting and moving series of accounts of the American Puritans. I thoroughly reccommend this book to students of history and theology alike. The Puritan influence on American history is emphasised along with the stalwart faith of the Puritans in all areas of their lives.

Enjoyed reading about these early settlers in New England. Life was difficult for them but they persevered.