The Pilgrims were a group of English Protestants who sought religious freedom and sailed from England to America in 1620 on the Mayflower. They established the Plymouth Colony in what is now Massachusetts. The Pilgrims’ religious beliefs were fundamental to their story and central to understanding who they were.
The Pilgrims belonged to the Puritan branch of Protestant Christianity. Puritans believed that the Church of England had become corrupted and strayed too far from Biblical truths. They advocated for a simpler form of worship and church governance. The Pilgrims were separatists, meaning they wanted to completely separate from the Church of England. Other Puritans wished to reform the church from within.
The Pilgrims’ separatist beliefs meant they were persecuted in England. They fled first to Leiden in the Netherlands, but eventually determined to establish their own settlement in the New World. There they could practice their faith freely and create a model society according to their religious ideals. Their journey across the Atlantic aboard the Mayflower and founding of Plymouth Colony in 1620 is steeped in the history of American mythology.
To understand the Pilgrims, it is essential to examine their core theological beliefs that shaped their worldview and conduct:
1. Belief in the supreme authority and sufficiency of Scripture
The Pilgrims held an uncompromising belief in the complete authority of the Bible in all matters of religious faith and practice. They believed Scripture alone should guide all doctrine, worship and church governance. This doctrine is known as sola scriptura, one of the core tenets of Protestantism stemming from the Reformation.
The Pilgrims rejected any religious traditions, ceremonies or hierarchies they felt were unsupported by Scripture. Their application of sola scriptura led them to advocate for the simplification of worship services by removing vestments, rituals, elaborate music and iconography from churches. They sought to strip away any excess and return to the simplicity of early New Testament church worship.
Relevant Bible passages:
“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
“For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12)
2. Emphasis on preaching and teaching of Scripture
Because the Pilgrims held Scripture in such high esteem, they emphasized the preaching and teaching of the Bible. Sermons focused on scriptural exposition. They believed preaching should expound the plain meaning of biblical texts, not allegorize or impose meaning.
The Pilgrims also stressed the importance of family Bible study and religious education, so that all members of their community would be grounded in Scripture. Children were taught to read primarily so they could read the Bible for themselves.
Relevant Bible passages:
“Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.” (2 Timothy 4:2)
“But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:14-17)
3. Rejection of religious hierarchy and rituals
The Pilgrims decried the hierarchical structure of priests and bishops in the Church of England. They believed in the “priesthood of all believers” – that all Christians have direct access to God and do not require intermediaries. Any church member could be elected to lead worship services.
They rejected ornate rituals and symbols like the kneeling at altars, signing the cross, wearing priestly vestments, or using set prayers like the Book of Common Prayer. Such ceremonies seemed to undermine the authority of Scripture and inhibit a direct relationship with God.
Relevant Bible passages:
“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” (1 Peter 2:9)
“For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus…” (1 Timothy 2:5)
4. Importance of grace and faith
As devout Calvinists, the Pilgrims emphasized salvation by grace alone through faith alone. They believed humanity was totally depraved and incapable of any good apart from God. Salvation was achieved solely by God’s grace and received solely through faith in Christ.
Good works did not earn salvation but were an outpouring of gratitude to God. However, the Pilgrims did believe true faith inevitably yielded good works and moral living. Their society in Plymouth Colony focused on upright conduct and strict observance of God’s commands.
Relevant Bible passages:
“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9)
“What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.” (James 2:14-17)
5. Covenant theology
The Pilgrims adhered to covenant theology, which emphasizes God’s sovereign covenants throughout Scripture to redeem humanity and establish right relationship. They viewed their colony as a covenant community bound together by a pact with God and with each other.
This influenced their approach to civil governance, requiring high moral standards and strict discipline to uphold the covenant. Members who diverged from approved doctrine or behavior could be cut off from the civil body.
Relevant Bible passages:
“I will establish my covenant between me and you and your offspring after you throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and to your offspring after you.” (Genesis 17:7)
“Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.” (Philippians 2:12-13)
6. Expectation of persecution and suffering
The Pilgrims’ separatist stance meant they expected persecution from the Church of England. Many of them had been fined, imprisoned, harassed or otherwise punished prior to their departure from England. Even in Leiden, pressures mounted against their immigrant community.
This suffering strengthened their resolve to make any sacrifice necessary to practice their faith freely. The Pilgrims saw persecution and hardship as part of following Christ. They drew encouragement from biblical stories of God’s people enduring trials.
Relevant Bible passages:
“Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” (2 Timothy 3:12)
“Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.” (1 Peter 4:12-13)
7. Importance of community and family
Though intensely individualistic in matters of conscience, the Pilgrims also stressed the importance of community and family. They believed their colony should be tightly knit through worship, trade, government and social ties. Marriage was foundational. Children were raised to follow in the faith.
The Pilgrims grounded this communal emphasis in biblical precedents like the early church in Acts 2 and the nation of Israel. Their community would reflect biblical ideals to the world and bless their descendants.
Relevant Bible passages:
“And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.” (Acts 2:42)
“Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity!” (Psalm 133:1)
8. Belief God had selected them
The Pilgrims saw themselves as a chosen people specially selected by God for their faith and courage. Despite persecution, He had protected and guided them to a promised land where they might establish a holy commonwealth. They drew parallels to biblical Israel.
These convictions drove them across the sea and sustained them through immense hardships in the wilderness. The Pilgrims were determined to prove themselves worthy of God’s blessing through righteous conduct in their new home.
Relevant Bible passages:
“For you are a people holy to the Lord your God. The Lord your God has chosen you to be a people for his treasured possession, out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth. It was not because you were more in number than any other people that the Lord set his love on you and chose you, for you were the fewest of all peoples, but it is because the Lord loves you and is keeping the oath that he swore to your fathers…” (Deuteronomy 7:6-8)
“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” (1 Peter 2:9)
9. Hope in Christ’s return and the world to come
The Pilgrims’ faith provided eternal perspective during their difficult lives on earth. They hoped for the imminent return of Christ and coming of God’s kingdom. This hope encouraged them to persevere amid sickness, deprivation, heartbreak and loss.
Though invested in their earthly colony, the Pilgrims placed highest value on laying up eternal treasures in heaven. They longed for the resurrection and the new creation promised to believers.
Relevant Bible passages:
“He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!” (Revelation 22:20)
“For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come.” (Hebrews 13:14)
“But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.” (2 Peter 3:13)
10. Desire to live according to biblical principles
The Pilgrims aimed to build a society that followed biblical models and principles as closely as possible. They carefully studied Scripture to inform civil governance, criminal justice, interpersonal conduct, agriculture, economics, education, and marriage and family responsibilities.
The Pilgrims believed they had an obligation to conform every aspect of their lives, communities, and even government to biblical truth. This was both a duty and privilege.
Relevant Bible passages:
“Oh that they had such a heart as this always, to fear me and to keep all my commandments, that it might go well with them and with their descendants forever!” (Deuteronomy 5:29)
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” (Romans 12:2)
“And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” (Colossians 3:17)
In summary, the Pilgrims were driven by their passionate religious beliefs to undertake great risks for the sake of their faith. Core theological convictions defined who they were and shaped all aspects of their lives. These beliefs gave them purpose and perseverance as they established their colony in Plymouth, Massachusetts. The Pilgrims saw their New World settlement as an opportunity to build a holy community that would honor God by living according to biblical principles.
Though the Plymouth colony ultimately dissolved after 70 years, the Pilgrims had an enduring theological and cultural influence. Their vision of freedom of religious conscience took root in American soil. The Pilgrims are still remembered today for their brave quest borne of religious conviction, and for their example of faith that guided them across the sea and sustained them in the wilderness.