Final answer:
The Puritans were a Calvinist group who sought to create a society in New England that lived strictly according to their religious beliefs, emphasizing predestination and the need for a virtuous community. They believed they were chosen by God to set an example for others, leading to significant cultural and religious influences in early American history.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Puritans, a sect of Calvinists who settled in New England, held a set of beliefs that shaped all aspects of their lives and the societies they established. They were driven by a conviction that their lives and community should reflect the will of God as outlined in the Bible and Calvinist theology.
The concept of predestination played a pivotal role in Puritanism, with salvation considered an act of divine grace, not through individual merit. Their faith was intricately linked to every part of their existence, from family to governance, and their identity was rooted in the belief that they were chosen by God to create a model Christian society, a 'city on a hill' as John Winthrop proclaimed.
The Puritans hoped to reform the Anglican Church from within, unlike the Pilgrims of Plymouth who were separatists. This theological stance was underpinned by the teachings of John Calvin, particularly predestination. Despite seeking to establish a society free from religious persecution by the English Church, they did not advocate for universal religious freedom, instead creating a strict, Bible-centered community.
Their commitment to living according to their interpretation of God's will led to developments such as the first printing press in English America and the publication of the first book, the Bay Psalm Book.
Signs of being among the 'elect' were sought after in daily life and during church admission, where individuals were required to prove their experience of true conversion. The emphasis on a virtuous society was such that Puritans kept diaries to record their deeds as evidence of their possible election by God.