Final answer:
Option a is the correct answer. The relationship between religion and law in Puritan New England is best summarized by the establishment of a theocratic system where the law was deeply influenced by religious beliefs, thus aligning civic life with Puritan religious principles and practices.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that best summarizes the relationship between religion and law in Puritan New England is: a) The law was influenced by religion, creating a theocracy. Puritans in New England established a society where religious beliefs profoundly influenced legal systems and governance. The Puritan belief system permeated every aspect of life, and the bible, along with Calvinist theology, was seen as providing a blueprint for civil life in the family, church, and state. Furthermore, the concept of a covenant added a religious dimension to their societal and civil arrangements, aligning them with their religious beliefs and ideals.
Puritanism sought to enforce social virtue not just among believers but within the entire community, leading to a legal system that reflected their religious convictions. Only members of the "elect" enjoyed equal treatment under the law, which included the right to vote and hold public office. This directly links their legal systems with their religious ideologies, illustrating a significant overlap between the two realms.