Puritanism is a movement that arose within the English Protestant church in the late 1500's and continued into the 1700's.  The Puritans were Christians who believed that the Bible ought to be the sole authority for the doctrine and practice of the church.  They were convinced that the Protestant Reformation had not gone far enough in eliminating unscriptural traditions from the Church, and so, in a very real sense, they were second-generation Reformers, seeking to finish the work begun by early Reformers like Luther and Tyndale. 

The reforming spirit of the Puritans ought to exemplify Christianity in every age.  The Latin phrase "Semper Reformanda"—"Always Reforming"—should be the continual watchword of the Church of Jesus Christ, as we diligently seek to root out every false teaching and to bring the church 's worship into full conformity with the apostolic teaching revealed in the Holy Scriptures. 

Reformation is a never-ending task for two reasons.  First, because the church has never achieved 100% perfection, and thus there is always room for improvement.  Secondly and more importantly, because human depravity makes us so prone to wander from the truth. God's people need to be constantly vigilant to identify and oppose the age-old errors that keep reappearing, sometimes in new disguises, that threaten the spiritual vitality and radical witness of the church. 

The great enemy of Biblical Christianity in the days of the Puritans was Roman Catholicism, both in its full manifestation as well as in the vestiges of Catholicism carried over into the Anglican Church.  Puritans were often decrying the form of Anglican worship—crucifixes, kneeling at communion, and especially the "Popish" attire of the Anglican "priests".  But Puritans were also on guard against a return to the Catholic doctrines of human free-will and personal merit—doctrines that militate against the free grace of God as revealed in the gospel. 

In our present day, the great enemy of Biblical Christianity is the arrogant pragmatism that measures success by counting noses rather than seriously assessing the spiritual condition and progress of its converts.  This pragmatic approach turns its back on what the Bible says about God's sovereignty, man 's depravity, and the manner of worship that is most pleasing to God.  Instead, modern Christianity is often guilty of seeking to please men rather than God, thereby repeating the error of the self-righteous Pharisees. 

With the Puritans of old, we confess the Biblical gospel that God saves rebellious, Christ-rejecting sinners—He doesn't wait until they trust in Christ of their own accord, for men are too rebellious to ever willingly submit themselves to God.  Instead, God does for men that which they never would nor could do for themselves:  He chooses certain ones to be saved, although no one, of himself, would ever have freely chosen to leave his sin and humbly submit himself to God's authority.  He purchases their forgiveness by giving up the life of His dearly-loved, only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ, in payment for their sins, even though no one could ever have purchased his own forgiveness.  He quickens them by His Holy Spirit, changing their hearts, bringing forth genuine faith and lasting repentance, even though no one could ever have made such a change in his own heart—indeed, no one would even bother to try!  And God completes this work which He began, even though no one would ever be persistent enough by his own will to persevere very long in faith and repentance, even if he could savingly believe or repent. 

A "21st Century Puritanism", then, is the always-reforming spirit of 17th-century Puritanism applied to the challenges of the 21st century church.  In place of an Arminian "free-will" gospel that exalts human worth and ability, the 21st Century Puritan calls us back to the Biblical gospel that exalts the power and sovereignty of Almighty God.  In place of the "seeker-sensitive", man-pleasing paradigm for worship, the 21st Century Puritan points us back to the Biblical, God-ordained pattern of worship revealed in Scripture—emphasizing a Godward focus—preaching His glories, rejoicing in His mercy to hell-deserving sinners, falling at His feet in humble supplication, singing from joyful, forgiven, God-saturated hearts psalms and hymns that exalt His majesty and honor. 

It is my prayer that this website will help you gain a greater appreciation for the glory and splendor of our sovereign Creator, Provider and Redeemer. 

Soli Deo Gloria!  .. To God Alone be the glory!