Question

Explain how the the puritans theology shaped the government and society of the massachusetts bay colony

Answer 1

In1629 the Massachusetts Bay Company set out for America. Around 18,000 puritan settlers immigrated at that time having given up on the idea of reforming the Church of England. The colonists wanted to keep the bulk of the ideas held by the Church of England but were anxious to be rid of some aspects. The community centered heavily around the church and most legislative activity was conducted at the church meeting house in the same way that religion was at the center of every Puritan's life. Only male members of the church had any say in the governing of the colony. John Winthrop, the first governor of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, outlined the goals of the colony in his sermon called "A model of Christian Charity." He dictated that the colony should be based solidly on the ideas of the church and that all law should flow directly from their Godly beliefs. The colony believed that their success was directly tied to their selfless devotion to God and community.