Question

In what way did the Half-Way Covenant reflect the changes that were sweeping across New England at this time?

Answer 1

Answer:

The Half-Way Covenant was created to provide a solution to the ever growing problem of how to regulate political participation and rights in a society that was based firmly on religion.

Explanation:

The New England Congregationalists in the 17th century, also known as the Puritans, had very strict rules regarding requirements for partaking in political positions and roles. One of the basic premises was that each citizen was accepted as long as they gave evidence of a “conversion experience”. This spiritual testimony was not questioned at first but as time passed and new generations grew up with different opinions on God, religion and society then the church had to be more flexible and adjust to this new mindset without forgetting God or the importance of the church as an institution.

This “Half-Way Covenent” reflected this new flexibility and adjustment, letting children of baptized but unconverted church members to be baptized and now have political rights and also become members of the church.