The American Puritans

by Dustin W. Benge, Nate Pickowicz

In The American Puritans, Dustin Benge and Nate Pickowicz tell the story of the first hundred years of Reformed Protestantism in New England through the lives of nine key William Bradford, John Winthrop, John Cotton, Thomas Hooker, Thomas Shepard, Anne Bradstreet, John Eliot, Samuel Willard, and Cotton Mather. Here is sympathetic yet informed history, a book that corrects many myths and half-truths told about the American Puritans while inspiring a current generation of Christians to let their light shine before men. Table of
Who Are the American Puritans?
1. William Bradford
2. John Winthrop
3. John Cotton
4. Thomas Hooker
5. Thomas Shepard
6. Anne Bradstreet
7. John Eliot
8. Samuel Willard
9. Cotton Mather

Genres: History, Church History, Biography, Nonfiction, Christian, American History, Theology

224 pages, Paperback

First published May 5, 2020

About the author

Dustin Benge (Ph.D., The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary) is Associate Professor of Biblical Spirituality and Historical Theology at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, KY. He also serves as co-director and senior fellow of The Andrew Fuller Center for Baptist Studies. Follow Dustin on Twitter: @DustinBenge. Dustin and his wife, Molli, live in Louisville.

Reviews

[Rick Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

The American Puritans are often more obscure than the English Puritans who get most of the press. In this book, Dustin Benge, and Nate Pickowicz recctify this situation by introducing 9 American Puritans in a series of mini-biographies that also doubles as a history of early New England. It's an inspirational book, and it's good to be reminded of the faithfulness of the men and women who brought their faith with them to the New World. It was also well written and hard to put down.

[Faye · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting book! I can't get over how extremely brilliant they were. Wow!

I have to say, reading about some of the puritans' family lives helped me feel a little better about my own failings. 🥺

[Luke Arthaud · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really good! Watertown even got some shoutouts @Brennan Cook

[ValeReads Kyriosity · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed most of the content. John Eliot was the surprise new historical-figure-crush for me. Always a special place in my heart for Bible translation, and his work among the Massachusett Indians was exemplary -- an inspiration and a model for any cross-cultural mission work. The book could have used more editing both at the structural level and at the sentence level. It would have been worth the effort to craft the biographies into one cohesive story that showed more of the interrelationships and omitted most or all of the repetition among the lives covered. And there was some awkward phrasing and occasional incorrect word usage that somebody somewhere should have caught and corrected. Some odd factual inaccuracies crept in, too, like the confusion/conflation of prebyterian and episcopal church government. Baptists gonna bapt, I guess. 😉 But overall...a worthwhile introduction to these pillars of early American Christendom. May God grant that such men and women would again rise up and thrive and be honored in New England.

Narrator was mostly OK...just a few quirks here and there.

[Jana Grote · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this! It’s a really great mix of American history, church history and theology. If you like the puritans and history, you will enjoy this book!

[Kristina · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one I'd like to get a physical copy of- it was so interesting and packed with information!


Listened to as an audiobook via Hoopla

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

For someone with little knowledge of the American Puritans, I found this to be a great little introduction. Each chapter is a self-contained essay on a particular American Puritan. The book is arranged fairly chronologically, from William Bradford to Cotton Mather. Though brief, the chapters give good overviews and insights. The various quotes throughout give a nice taste and feel of the early American Puritan experience. A fascinating and sympathetic reading of early American Christianity.

[Jenni Harper · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars! This was an excellent and interesting introduction to a few of the American Puritans. I loved reading about the context of their lives in the New World around them, how their faith shaped and gave purpose to their determination to steward the colonies well, as well as their commitment to the family unit. I walked away with more books to add to an ever growing list of “want-to-read!”

[Kristin Mitchell · Rating 4 out of 5]

So good!! So much to learn about these puritans. So very applicable today.

[Laurabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Far from dry, this book gives an enlightening overview of nine key figures of the puritan age in America. Written by a follower of the puritans, it addresses and defends certain accusations targeted at this group. The section on Cotton Mather was particularly interesting as he has been notorious for holding the witch trials of Salem.

I recommend this book as it gives a helpful timeline and sequence of the rise and fall of the puritan age--an important block to understanding the American psyche.

[Ben Stratton · Rating 4 out of 5]

“The American Puritans” is a look at the lives of nine Puritans in early New England, the majority of which are unknown to modern Christians. Through these nine individuals, we see the story of the American Puritans from their landing in the New World in 1620 to the end of the seventeenth century. The book was a pleasant read and very edifying to the soul.

The accounts of these Puritans are fascinating. We learn how John Eliot won countless Native Americans to the Lord and established 14 “Praying Indian” towns. Although the Algonquin language was said to be so difficult that the demons couldn’t fathom it, Eliot developed it into an alphabet and was able to translate the entire Bible. The Algonquin translation of the Bible would be the first book published in the Colonies.

The stories continue with Anne Bradstreet expressing her love for the Lord into theology-rich poetry. So much of this is helpful to pastors, such as how Thomas Hooker was able to bring assurance of salvation to many struggling believers. The book was full of powerful sermon illustrations. For instance, John Cotton, perhaps the greatest of the American Puritan preachers, used the imagery from the Song of Solomon and referred to the lost and saved as the “lilies and the thorns.”

One of the most important portrayals in the book was the exoneration of Puritan leaders from the stigma of the Salem Witch Trials. While the Puritans did believe in witches and demon possession, their method of dealing with it was to minister to the individual’s spiritual needs as well as regulate their diet and sleep. Through this, both Samuel Willard and Cotton Mather saw such individuals acknowledge their sinfulness and seek God’s forgiveness. At Salem, the magistrates disregarded this advice and twenty people were executed. Finally, Puritan preachers such as Increase Mather were able to stop the trials. Unfortunately, in the nineteenth century, Unitarians such as Nathaniel Hawthorne, who despised Mather’s theology, began to confuse the actual history. This led to the tarnished legacy Mather has today.

While “The American Puritans” is an excellent work, the book does have a few issues. The introduction declares “we hope to showcase their story – without hiding their faults.” The authors occasionally fell short in this regard. For example, many of the Puritans claimed to be interested in evangelizing the “savages,” but they often ended up killing and enslaving the Native Americans. Some more information about this and their justification for the Pequot War would be a welcome addition. It is mentioned on page 198 that Cotton Mather owned an African slave. While the authors wrote that Mather founded a school for catechizing African American children, it would be helpful to see his views on slavery and the evangelizing of slaves. Lastly, there is no mention of the infamous 1651 beating of a Baptist preacher named Obadiah Holmes. For people so strong on religious freedom, this inconsistency of the Puritans should be told.

Furthermore, a chapter on Roger Williams would be a worthy supplement to the book. Williams meets the definition of a Puritan given on page 6 and is even called a “Puritan” in the Foreword. While I cannot disagree with any of the nine biographies the authors included, Williams would have made an excellent tenth choice. For in his views on religious liberty, slavery, and his relations with Native Americans, Williams was far ahead of his Puritan contemporaries.

“The American Puritans” is an outstanding book and I highly recommend it. The authors accomplished their purpose. God was glorified through these accounts and I desire to learn more about these nine Puritans. Hopefully, Benge and Pickowicz will continue working together on future projects. I look forward to a second edition of the book (please include an index) and perhaps a volume 2 of even more admirable American Puritans.

[Evan Riel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having heard of the Puritans many years ago, I never allocated the time to read or study in much depth about their lives, causes, or impacts. I came across this book a few months ago and put it on the shelf to read one day. Not thinking it would be so soon. I picked it up earlier this week and couldn’t put it down. Though Puritanism was started in England, New England (American) Puritans have found a place in my heart. Their sacrifice and commitment to the cause and shaping of the new world are far too often dismissed. Dustin and Nate have done exactly what they set out to do in the writing of this brief yet dense synopsis of these nine American Puritan patriarchs. My soul has been awakened to the immense need to remember the Puritans and their efforts, though imperfect, to preserve and restore biblical preaching, sanctification, and simplicity of worship to the triune God of the scriptures. I look forward to studying more about the Puritans in the future.

[Miles Foltermann · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fine set of short biographies. I agree with another reviewer, who pointed out that the book might have been improved if it were written as a unified narrative in which all nine figures are connected. The subjects of interest are, in fact, connected, but the structuring of each person’s biography as a stand-alone chapter means that there is a decent bit of repetition throughout the book. I also share this reviewer’s perplexity at the authors’ conflation of presbyterianism and prelacy/episcopalianism. Overall, this a very readable book and a quality collection. In this age in which our forebears are subjected to incessant shaming and criticism, these celebratory biographies are welcome.

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

A nice balance between historical and convicting. Biographies of several puritan men and women, drawing from their own journals. It gives us a nice insight to the history of the Reformed faith and the founding of the United States as well. My one complaint is that, in-spite being written by Baptists, the Presbyterian publishers really shown through. Something I would expect and brush off had it been written by Presbyterians, but I was hoping for more from these authors. That is nitpicking, though! Great book.

[Daniel Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very helpful read which introduced me to a few very influential and godly people I had never heard of before. It is so cool to see that these puritans had so much impact on the beginning of America as a nation as they were the first to arrive to the nation in order to seek freedom to worship as God describes his worship in Scripture. They were committed to the glory of God, and the good of their fellow neighbors. It is a book that will not only increase your knowledge of historical figures, but it will ignite your affections anew for the glory of God in all things.

[Brett Jeter · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was very encouraging. I learned much about early American Puritanism but was also stirred up to love Jesus and labor for his kingdom. Well done

[Brandi Breezee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This collection of biographies was gold. So much to learn. This is my type of book.

[Josh Holler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful and very informative. I knew almost none of these men or their stories. I hope this helps spark a renaissance in studying the American Puritans.

[Myllena Melo · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a precious book.

[Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

2021 Reading Challenge - A book published in 2020 or 2021

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent survey of key men in the movement of American Puritanism. Fantastic.

[Dillon Bullard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful stories of the men and women who forged the way to religious freedoms in the new world. Truly remarkable the lengths in which they went to ensure Christ was honored in all of their lives. It also gives an excellent example of the seriousness and zeal in which we should put forth in carrying out the same mission of personal piety and true evangelistic efforts in our lives today all for the honor and glory of God!

[Carl Johnson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gushing propaganda but nevertheless a serviceable introduction to notable New England Puritans.

[Treston Marshall · Rating 4 out of 5]

An immensely encouraging work. I have not read much on the puritans, but I was really missing out. These men had theological depth and a true passion for the Lord.

[Sam Clapp · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved learning about the courage of these men!

[Peter LeDuc · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a surprising treasure trove of vibrant Christian lives worthy of your contemplation and emulation. 

[Jesus Salgado · Rating 5 out of 5]

A nice introduction to the first Puritans in America.

[Jimmy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Do you want to learn more of the Puritans that came to the New World? This book is worth reading. It is authored by Dustin Benge a professor of historical Theology at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and a senior fellow for Baptist studies. He has done a great job giving the biographical sketch of some of the Puritans who came over to the New World (what we later call America).
After an introduction on who were the Puritans (and specifically the American Puritans) the book has nine chapters on the biography of nine Puritans. The first is William Bradford who was the governor of the Plymouth colony for thirty years. I’ve heard of his name in the context of American history and American political development and it’s encouraging to read of how his faith and spirituality drove him as a leader in Plymouth. The second chapter is also on a political figure: John Winthrop the first governor of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. The next three chapters explores ministers and preachers: John Cotton, Thomas Hooker and Thomas Shepard. I like how chapter six switches gear and focuses on Anne Bradstreet a Puritan poet. Chapter seven looks at an early Puritan Missionary to the Native Americans: John Eliot. The final two chapters looks at two more New England minister, Samuel Willard and the famous Cotton Mather.
Overall the book was immensely gratifying to read and a spiritual encouragement to my soul. Something early in the book that caught my attention was the author’s point that the term Puritan was originally a pejorative. It made me think of the pejorative today for serious Bible Christians, how every generation there’s some term and we as Christians should continue to be faithful rather than give in to the fear of man. I was struck reading this book just how many giants in the faith there were from English Puritans that went to the New World; for a population size that was rather small, there’s a high concentration of godly men and women. Reading this made me desire to continue to grow in being a godly man of God and minister of the Gospel. I recommend this work.

[James T · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a collection of short biographies of nine individuals who were influential in the American Puritan settlements. This is not a linear history of American Puritanism itself, but it does cover the major events surrounding the 1620 Plymouth and 1630 Massachusetts Bay settlements. It is slightly repetitive, though not enough to detract from the book - the biographies are not completely self-contained, but the authors introduce some events multiple times as they become relevant to more than one of the nine historical figures. The coverage of the Massachusetts colonies is fairly traditional - there is discussion of various Native American tribes and their alliance with or hostility against the colonists, but very little about the perspectives of the indigenous tribes themselves toward the English newcomers.

This is also not a history of ideas, though the authors do cite some of the writings or sermons of each historical figure, and they touch on the church politics surrounding Congregationalism and William Laud's expulsion of the Nonconformists from the Church of England. The authors themselves seem to have a Calvinist bent, sometimes using "the doctrines of grace" synonymously with 5-point Calvinism, without too much nuance. For a better overview of the religious context, at least on the English side of the Atlantic, I found Ligonier Ministries' The English Reformation and the Puritans more helpful.

[Ben Franks · Rating 4 out of 5]

There's been a welcome revival of interest in the legacy of Puritanism over the last few decades. However, the American Puritans have often been overlooked in comparison with their English counterparts. At the same time, most Americans' received understanding of their Puritan forebearers has been deeply marred and mangled by the revisionist accounts of 19th century detractors. This combination of neglect on the one hand and misinformation on the other means that very few people today have an accurate understanding of, or appreciation for, the character and contributions of American Puritanism.

This little book is a great first-step towards addressing that problem. Written at an accessible and popular level, "The American Puritans" offers nine brief bios of various Puritan politicians, poets, and preachers. Some chapters (such as those on Anne Bradstreet and Cotton Mather) particularly shine, but all are solid summaries of key figures in Colonial Puritanism. The cumulative effect of the book (often as we see the interrelationships and connections which existed between this cast of characters) is to helpfully expand our understanding of this era and its key leaders. While this is just a starting point, it's a good starting point to getting to know the American Puritans as they really were.