Quote
i. Although the influence of Calvinistic or Reformed theology was great, of special importance in the history of the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) is the impact of Calvinism upon England – as seen in the Puritans (who sought to purify the Church of England), and the Pilgrims (who were separatists) – and upon Scotland – through John Knox. Someone has said that American Presbyterianism is the child of Scottish Presbyterianism and English Puritanism.


II. Government
A. Presbyterian government is government by elders (Presbyterian comes from the greek “presbuteros”, meaning elder) in a graded system of courts. The Session is the elders of the local church, the presbytery is composed of elders from a district, and the general assembly is made up of elders from the whole denomination.

A. The Presbyterian church’s Calvinistic theology emphasizes the sovereignty of God without neglecting the responsibility of man.

John,

Thanks for the information. I'm not sure it answers all my questions, but it's another piece of the puzzle. There's no question that a holy life (Puritan living?) should be one the goals of every Christian as well as the Church (including presbyterians), but I'm still not sure it's inherent in the definition of presbyterian. It probably doesn't matter too much. I think I'm splitting hairs again (which I tend to do).

Maybe a more interesting and useful question is "What are the characteristics (good and bad?) of Puritan living?"

John