What is the Difference Between Puritans and Separatists?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚The main difference between Puritans and Separatists lies in their approach to the Church of England and their religious beliefs:
- Puritans were English Calvinists who sought to reform or purify the Church of England, as they believed that it could be improved from within. They emphasized the importance of personal religious experience and sought to simplify the church's ceremonies and organizational structure. However, they did not reject the authority of the Church of England altogether.
- Separatists, on the other hand, also known as Nonconformists, were English Calvinists who believed that the Church of England was beyond reform and, therefore, sought to separate from it. They advocated the idea of the "gathered church," founded by the Holy Spirit and not by man or the state. Separatists emphasized the right and responsibility of each congregation to determine its own beliefs and practices without submitting to the judgment of any higher human authority.
Despite their differences, both Puritans and Separatists shared the goal of creating a more pure and authentic Christian church. They were part of the larger Protestant Reformation in England during the 16th and 17th centuries, which aimed to challenge the authority and practices of the Catholic Church and the Church of England.
Comparative Table: Puritans vs Separatists
Here is a table comparing the differences between Puritans and Separatists:
| Feature | Puritans | Separatists |
|---|---|---|
| Origin | Developed in the 16th and 17th centuries with the idea of separating from Catholicism | Created by Robert Browne in the late 15th century, believed that the Church of England was too similar to the Roman Catholic Church |
| Goals | Sought to reform and purify the Church of England | Wanted to separate completely from the Church of England |
| Separation | Did not abandon the Church of England and continued to advocate for changes | Broke away from the Church of England and formed their own churches |
| Church Governance | Orthodox New England Puritans practiced congregational discipline but denied being Separatists or Independents | Advocated for a congregational or independent form of church polity, where each church was autonomous and founded upon a formal covenant |
| Relationship with Non-Believers | Did not seek to distinguish themselves from non-believers | Wanted to distinguish themselves from non-believers |
Both Puritans and Separatists were Protestant factions from the Church of England, and although their goals may seem quite different, they had a lot in common. They both contributed to the development of the Church of England, and in New England, they were able to reintegrate and follow their own beliefs.
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