Meet the Puritans

Where can you go to learn all about the Puritans and their published works? In Meet the Puritans, Joel R. Beeke and Randall J. Pederson  offer a guide to Puritan literature and authors.

The book is packed with biographies and book reviews from over 150 Puritans. I learned new historical details of my favorites like Burroughs and and Charnock, but also made new friends in Fisher and Winthrop. I enjoyed reading the defining characteristics of their life and writings. For instance, Thomas Goodwin “represents the best of Puritanism in addressing the intellect, will, and heart.”

Inspiration and Encouragement

While this book is encyclopedic in nature, you can easily read it devotionally or include it in your family worship. An excellent resource for pastors and preachers, you will find a nearly endless amount of inspiration and encouragement.

While I love a good biography, I most appreciated the book reviews. Getting a glimpse of these great works in a short amount of time was invaluable. I enjoyed quick overviews of books I had always wanted to read, and I also was able to see the big picture of a whole body of work for individual authors. For instance, Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible, “though superseded to some degree in the area of exegesis, has never been surpassed in its practical emphasis. Its divisions, main points, and practical applications are invaluable. Interestingly, some of the quaint sayings and pithy remarks sprinkled throughout the text were based on what Henry’s father said during family worship.” 

Fascinating and Excellent for Further Study

My copy of this book was sent as a special Puritan Bundle set together with Ore From the Puritans’ Mine, A Puritan Theology, and a Free Study Guide. As a 3-piece set, this collection is perfect for the Puritan-lover in your life.

This book includes a glossary of terms and events, highly helpful for teachers and writers. I found this book to be fascinating, and an incredible resource for further study. It is the perfect book for lovers of the Puritans and their works.

I received a media copy of Meet the Puritans and this is my honest review. Find more of my book reviews and follow Dive In, Dig Deep on Instagram - my account dedicated to Bibles and books to see the beauty of the Bible and the role of reading in the Christian life. To read all of my book reviews and to receive all of the free eBooks I find on the web, subscribe to my free newsletter.