On Typology Jeremiads and Puritan Sermon Form Dr

On Typology, Jeremiads, and Puritan Sermon Form Dr. Roggenkamp English 516

Typology n n 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 people—first in the New Testament, then in contemporary life (by 1640 s) Biblical forecasts of current events E. g. : Exodus of Israelites (the chosen people) prefigures Atlantic journey of Puritans (the new chosen people)

Typology: Story of American Exceptionalism n n n Individuals predestined for salvation are “chosen”—the 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 Christ’s return

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

The Jeremiad n n n 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 God—must repent & reform to return to their original, exceptional status

The Jeremiad in Puritan Hands n n 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: it’s all going to be ok, because we are the chosen people Example: Danforth: A Brief Errand. . . Sacvan Bercovitch: American Jeremiad