On Typology, Jeremiads, and Puritan Sermon Form

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On Typology, Jeremiads, and Puritan Sermon Form

• Dr. RoggenkampEnglish 516

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Typology

• The demonstration of New Testament occurrences
  as fulfillments of Old Testament premonitions
  (Bremer 64).
• Puritan rhetoric explicates prophecies of
  Biblical Old Testament as foreshadowing of events
  and peoplefirst in the New Testament, then in
  contemporary life (by 1640s)
• Biblical forecasts of current events
• E.g. Exodus of Israelites (the chosen people)
  prefigures Atlantic journey of Puritans (the new
  chosen people)

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Typology Story of American Exceptionalism

• Individuals predestined for salvation are
  chosenthe elect
• But COMMUNITY as whole is a people chosen of
  God as well
• New Israelites (Puritans) sent on errand into the
  wilderness to establish the new Jerusalem in
  anticipation of Christs return

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Puritan Sermon Form

• Influenced by Cicero oratory should instruct,
  convince, excite listener
• Focus on textual exegesis
• Parts lay open the texts grammatical, logical,
  and figurative meanings
• Lay out the doctrine, dividing into parts
• Provide reasons that lead us to conclude the
  doctrines truth, leading to a rational
  conviction
• Application of doctrine to contemporary life
• Epilogue

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The Jeremiad

• Term that refers to a sermon or other work that
  accounts for the misfortunes of a group as a
  fitting penalty for great social and moral evils
• At the same time, it holds out hope for happier
  times in the future
• Old prophet Jeremiah argues the chosen people of
  Israel suffer problems because they have fallen
  away from their covenant with Godmust repent
  reform to return to their original, exceptional
  status

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The Jeremiad in Puritan Hands

• Emory Elliott a rhetorical formula that
  included recalling the courage piety of the
  founders, lamenting recent present ills, and
  crying out for a return to the original conduct
  and zeal
• Ultimately reassuring its all going to be ok,
  because we are the chosen people
• Example Danforth A Brief Errand . . .
• Sacvan Bercovitch American Jeremiad