Episode Overview

Podcast: Renewing Your Mind
Episode: The Theology of the Puritans
Host: Nathan W. Bingham (Ligonier Ministries)
Guest: Dr. Michael Reeves
Date: August 30, 2025

This episode dives into the theology and ethos of the Puritans, stripping away longstanding misconceptions. Dr. Michael Reeves explores who the Puritans really were, their passionate love for the Bible, the diversity within their ranks, and how their emphasis on reform and heart transformation shaped English Christianity. The discussion is lively, clear, and often humorous, illuminating both the struggles and the spiritual riches of the Puritan movement.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. What Is a Puritan? Clearing Up Misconceptions

• Weaponized Label: The term "Puritan" was originally coined as a term of abuse, not as a badge of honor. Early English used it like "verbal mud," painting Puritans as "nitpicking, holier than thou" individuals, according to Reeves.

  • Quote:

    "Puritan, the word has always been more of a weapon than a real description… the word Puritan is verbal mud. You throw it at someone and it makes them look like a laughable lemon sucking fool."
    (Michael Reeves, 01:44)

• A Diverse Group: Puritans were far from monolithic. They could disagree over fundamental doctrines such as the cross, justification, and the Christian life.

  • Quote:

    "A recognized Puritan could differ from another on a whole host of different issues… the word Puritan is about as accurate a description as the word evangelical today."
    (Michael Reeves, ~05:00)

• Aim: Their core aim was the "reforming of the Reformation." They sought to purify both themselves and the church, believing the Reformation was not yet complete.

2. Unmasking Stereotypes: Appearance and Attitude

• Not Sourpusses: Popular imagery of black-clad, scowling ascetics is misleading. Reeves humorously recounts how most portraits did not smile due to long posing times, and that black attire was simply formal "Sunday best." Daily life included colorful clothes and lively personalities.

  • Quote (on John Owen):

    "He would walk through Oxford…hair powdered…velvet jacket, breeches set about at knees with ribbons… and Spanish leather boots… not a crowd of inveterate sourpusses either."
    (Michael Reeves, ~08:00)

• Zeal, Sometimes Pedantry: Their desire for reform sometimes led to overly detailed writing and pedantry. Yet, this thoroughness stemmed from their commitment to godliness in every area of life.

3. Core Passion: The Bible as Supreme Authority

• Supreme Value: The Bible stood at the center of Puritan life and piety. Their love for scripture was fervent, even seen as eccentric by others.

  • Quote:

    "The most important trait that really unites all puritans… is this: their passionate love for the Bible, for Bible study, for listening to sermons."
    (Michael Reeves, ~10:00)

• Sermon Culture: Puritans traveled hours and delighted in very long sermons, sometimes up to 7 hours. A telling story: Lawrence Chadderton, a Puritan preacher, once apologized for preaching two hours straight, only to have the congregation beg for more.

  • Quote (about Chadderton):

    "For God's sake, sir, go on, go on."
    (Michael Reeves, ~11:10)

4. Memorable Moment: John Rogers and the Living Bible

• Dramatic Preaching: The story of "Roaring" John Rogers brings to life the Puritan relationship with the Bible. He staged a sermon role-playing God taking back the Bible for its neglect, then the people begging its return—moving the congregation to tears and leaving a lifelong impression on future Puritan leader Thomas Goodwin.

  • Quote:

    "Lord, whatsoever thou dost to us, take not thy Bible from us. Kill our children, burn our houses, destroy our goods, only spare us thy Bible, take not away thy Bible."
    (Impersonated by Rogers, recounted by Reeves, 12:45)

  • Goodwin’s Reaction:

    "He was fain to hang about a quarter of an hour upon the neck of his horse, weeping before he had the power to mount."
    (Reeves, 16:25)

5. Tensions Within Puritanism: Heart Religion vs. Legalism

• Internal Struggle: Puritans stressed inner transformation, warning against mere external religion. However, an over-focus on personal holiness risked eclipsing the gospel of grace.

  • Quote:

    “The desire to have people respond to the gospel could lead to a focus on the response, not the gospel...easy to let a concern for growth in personal holiness eclipse a focus on justification by faith alone.”
    (Michael Reeves, ~18:00)

• Danger: This imbalance could lead to morbid introspection, people endlessly scrutinizing their own hearts, trusting in faith itself rather than in Christ.

6. The Cure: The Gospel According to Richard Sibbes

• Christ-Centered Assurance: Reeves highlights how Puritan preacher Richard Sibbes corrected this imbalance, stressing the sufficiency and fullness of Christ for sinners.

  • Quote (Sibbes):

    "What am I? A poor sinful creature. But I have a righteousness in Christ that answers all...There is more righteousness in Christ… than there is sin in me."
    (Quoted by Michael Reeves, 21:00)

• Receiving Christ’s Riches: Sibbes portrayed Christ as a generous host who delights in giving grace, not a distant figure to be appeased by human effort.

  • Quote:

    "We see we cannot please Christ more than by a cheerful taking part of his rich provision...The chief thing that Christ requires is a stomach to his dainties."
    (Sibbes, read by Reeves, 23:45)

7. Lasting Legacy and Reflection

• Eternal Value: The episode closes with the reminder that the Puritan focus—making all of life conform to the Bible and lifting high the grace of Christ—stands as a challenge and inspiration for Christians today.

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments (with Timestamps)

• "The Bible is the most valuable thing that this world affords."
  (Michael Reeves, 00:00)

• "Puritan, the word has always been more of a weapon than a real description... the word Puritan is verbal mud."
  (Michael Reeves, 01:44)

• "Contrary to popular impression, the Puritan was no ascetic...he never praised hair shirts or dry crusts."
  (Michael Reeves, ~08:30)

• "For God's sake, sir, go on, go on." (Congregation begging for more preaching)
  (Michael Reeves, 11:20)

• "Lord, whatsoever thou dost to us, take not thy Bible from us... only spare us thy Bible."
  (Rogers, as relayed by Reeves, 12:45)

• "There is more righteousness in Christ... than there is sin in me."
  (Richard Sibbes, read by Reeves, 21:00)

• "We see we cannot please Christ more than by a cheerful taking part of his rich provision... The chief thing that Christ requires is a stomach to his dainties."
  (Richard Sibbes, 23:45)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:00 – 01:44: Introduction to the Puritans and their biblical zeal.
• 01:45 – 06:00: Puritan identity and popular misconceptions.
• 06:01 – 10:30: Puritan lifestyle, appearance, and personality.
• 10:31 – 13:00: Love for the Bible and culture of preaching.
• 13:01 – 16:30: The John Rogers sermon anecdote with Goodwin’s reflection.
• 16:31 – 20:30: Puritans’ focus on heart transformation and inherent dangers.
• 20:31 – 24:21: Richard Sibbes’ gospel remedy and Christ-centered assurance.

Conclusion

This episode unearths the true heart of the Puritans—a movement earnestly reforming church and self according to Scripture, delighting in God’s grace, and passionate that Christ be known and loved above all. Whether correcting stereotypes or plumbing the depths of Puritan spirituality, Michael Reeves offers insight, warmth, and a call to take up the “stomach to his dainties”—to feast upon the gospel riches, just as the Puritans did.