Puritanism and the Pursuit of Happiness - The Ministry and Theology of Ralph Venning, c.1621-1674 (Hardcover)

Reveals a much neglected strand of puritan theology which emphasised the importance of inner happiness and personal piety. The traditional view of puritans is that they were killjoys - serious, austere, gloomy people who closed theatres and abolished Christmas. This book, based on extensive original research, presents a different view. Focusing on both the writings of the leading Independent divine, Ralph Venning, and also on his pastoral work in the 1640s and 1650s when he was successively chaplain to the Tower of London and vicar of St Olave's, Southwark, the book revealsa much neglected strand of puritan theology. This emphasised the importance of inner happiness and the development of a personal piety which, the author argues, was similar in its nature to medieval mysticism, not that differentfrom the piety promoted by earlier metaphysical preachers, and not at all driven by the predestinarian ideas usually associated with puritans, ideas liable to induce a sense of helplessness and despair. In addition, the book reassesses the role of Emmanuel College, Cambridge, where Venning was educated, in shaping puritan thought, discusses Max Weber's ideas about puritanism and capitalism especially in relation to recreation and leisure activities, and demonstrates that Venning's strand of puritanism favoured toleration, moderation and church unity to a much greater degree than is usually associated with puritans. Stephen Bryn Roberts was awarded his doctorate from theUniversity of Aberdeen and has been Adjunct Lecturer in Early Modern Church History at International Christian College, Glasgow since 2011.

General

Imprint:	The Boydell Press
Country of origin:	United Kingdom
Release date:	March 2015
First published:	2015
Authors:	S. Bryn Roberts (Royalty Account)
Dimensions:	234 x 156 x 22mm (L x W x T)
Format:	Hardcover - Cloth over boards
Pages:	232
ISBN-13:	978-1-84383-978-1
Categories:	Books > Humanities > History > World history > 1500 to 1750 Books > Humanities > History > British & Irish history > General Books > Humanities > Religion & beliefs > Christianity > Christian theology > General Books > Humanities > Religion & beliefs > Christianity > Protestantism & Protestant Churches > Calvinist, Reformed & Presbyterian Churches > General Books > History > British & Irish history > General Books > History > World history > 1500 to 1750 Books > Religion & Spirituality > Christianity > Christian theology > General Books > Religion & Spirituality > Christianity > Protestantism & Protestant Churches > Calvinist, Reformed & Presbyterian Churches > General Books > Christianity > Christian theology Books > Christianity > Protestantism & Protestant Churches > Calvinist, Reformed & Presbyterian Churches Promotions
LSN:	1-84383-978-4
Barcode:	9781843839781

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