When news of the Revolution of 1776 reached England, Prime Minister Horace Walpole said in Parliament, "Cousin America has run off with a Presbyterian parson" 8^]
Cordially,
Dan
As one descended from New England Puritan stock (my first American ancestor arrived on the "Lyon's Whelp", 1629, as part of the Winthrop expedition), and having read some of the journals of my forefathers, I have long known that the description of these first Americans as dour dispensers of gloom has been much exagerated.
Let us practice a Christianity that is so vibrant, "too glad to be true" as well.
They wore bright-colored clothing and had an enthusiasm for life rarely found among those around them. They were quite tolerant of other points of view--more so than other religious groups of the time.
They believed life was to be lived and enjoyed. Having fun was a religious conviction. Their wine cellars were among the largest and most varied in Europe. They believed in moderation in all things, including a daily glass of wine or two.
They also prospered in business because they worked as hard as they played. The "puritan work ethic" is no myth. In fact, I took a History of the US Economy course in college and the professor insisted that it was the puritan work ethic that made America great in the 18th and early 19th centuries. The fact that they enjoyed and indulged in sex quite often also helped to grow the population at a time when that was vital to the expansion of the economy and growth of the nation.
Why should any Christian be surprised that God is SO GLORIFIED in the midst of the greatest of human struggles. Was our salvation purchased at a Sunday brunch? I don't think it says "Take up your cross and head for food." How could God be glorified in our salvation except that it involve the precious shedding of the blood of the Lamb and great struggles and dependence from the saints.
Any evangelical who asks such a question should also be asking just how the early Church grew so fast after Christ ascended. Why oh why would a Church grow so fast when it produced so many martyrs? Worldly logic would seem to suggest just the opposite.
Like Chesterton, many view this Calvinist race as a people being forced to “wear their blacks in a sort of endless funeral on an eternal Sabbath.”
Ha! If I have learned anything from reading my Calvinists friends here at FR it would be that they of all people should be the most thankful and joyful bunch around. God in the beginning chose us for salvation, which doesn't leave much room for grumbling. Still, I have been surprised to find that you fellows are not a stuffy bunch. I guess I'm revealing some of my prejudices.
Enjoyed!
The Puritans would be horrified to see how feminized (doctrinally weak and lacking conviction) the professing Christian church of today has become.