I came across this excellent preface in a book I am reading for my MA thesis that captures the main reasons why I invest so much of my free time in studying the history and theology of the English Puritans. As an Evangelical Baptist in the Reformed tradition, reading Puritan theology is a bit like having a chat with my grandfather or learning from the wisdom of one of the older members of my congregation. Generally speaking, my studies in Church History over the past ten years or so since I first began to read biographies of my heroes of faith, have helped me to grow in my walk with the Lord and understanding of the Christian faith in ways that I find difficult to express - so I'll let Ligon Duncan help me out and hope that you catch the bug too!:
"Perhaps never before as much as now, the evangelical church needs to learn from the Puritans. We live in a time of tremendous change and upheaval in Christendom. Things once taken for granted as true and right and good, are being questioned - in both theory and practice - and there are disturbing signs that the spiritual health of the Western church is in a serious state. In such a time as this we need 'light from old times' to guide us into the future. The Puritans offer us that kind of light and we have, apparently, forgotten their wisdom. What are some of the practical benefits of studying the Puritans?
First, the Puritan movement bequeathed to us a tradition of pastoral theology unsurpassed in the history of Christianity in the English-speaking world. We need to hear them because a significant proportion of the church of our day has decided that its ministry should be carried out pragmatically rather than theologically. 'What works' is more important to some today than 'What is Biblical'. The Puritans were not tempted by such modern folly and in their history, lives and writings they offer to us a pattern of minsitry that was both theologically informed and pastorally effective. If we truly want to minister Biblically and effectively in the twenty-first century, then was are wise to sit at the feet of the Puritans.
Second, Puritan theology (simply defined as Biblical, evangelical, and Reformed theology) has served for more than three centuries as the basic doctrinal framework for evangelicalism. It has been influential throughout the Protestant world in the English speaking churches and especially in the Baptist, Congregational, Independent, Anglican and Presbyterian traditions. However, in the turmoil of post-modernity, the old doctrinal distinctives of evangelicalism are breaking down. We hear of Protestants returning to Rome or converting to Eastern Orthodoxy. We shudder when acclaimed evangelical scholars suggest that we need to rethink and redefine the doctrine of 'justification by faith alone'. We are numbered by the widespread lack of knowledge of Protestant first principles in the various evangelical churches. In this light, knowledge and appreciation of the times and teachings of the Puritans can serve to inoculate us against the false teachings and faddish Christianity of our own age. And perhaps the glory and biblical fidelity of their teaching can reclaim a hold on our hearts, saving us from slavery to the spirit of the times or from an irrational reactionary search for spirituality in mysticism or ritualism.
Third, the modern church seems allergic to theology and doctrine. And yet truth is essential for healthy Christian experience and service. The Apostle Paul himself argued throughout his letters that the saving knowledge of God is essential to Christian living. This entails knowing God personally and learning about Him through His word. Because of this, all Christians are called to be theologians - the question is whether we are going to be good ones or bad ones! - and that is where the study of the Puritans comes in. The mastering of the theology of the Puritans will provide the Christian with a wholesome and comprehensive grasp of biblical truth. That truth, in turn, is crucial for Christian living becasue what we believe affects how we live. Bad theology leads to bad practice. As Stephen Charnock said so long ago: 'It is impossible to honour God as we ought, unless we know His as He is.' The study of the Puritan's work will give us a surer knowledge of God as He has revealed Himself in the Scripture. For these reasons, and more, we need to become reacquainted with the lives and times and teachings of the Puritans."
To this, all I can add is a hearty 'Amen'! If you'd like to join me in rediscovering our heritage as Evangelicals through our Puritan grandparents here is a good place to start:
1) Joel Beeke, Meet the Puritans: Click Here
2) John Brown, The English Puritans: Click Here
3) Leland Ryken, Worldly Saints: Click Here
3) Banner of Truth Reprints/ Abridgments - go to http://www.amazon.ca/ and type in 'Puritan Paperbacks'
