What Precisely is Experimental Theology

Experimental theology, according to the Puritans, is all about experiencing faith in a personal and life-changing way. Instead of just knowing facts about God, the Puritans believed that true Christianity meant feeling His presence, seeing His work in your life, and being transformed by it.

Key Ideas in Experimental Theology:

1. A Personal Experience of God’s Grace– Faith isn’t just about going to church or agreeing with certain beliefs. The Puritans taught that real faith comes from a deep, personal encounter with God—where a person recognizes their sin, turns to Christ, and experiences His forgiveness and love.

2. A Changed Life– Being a Christian wasn’t just about saying the right things; it was about living differently. The Puritans emphasized that true believers would grow spiritually, fight against sin, and strive to be more like Jesus.

3. Evaluating Your Heart – Puritans encouraged people to regularly examine their hearts to see if their faith was real. They asked questions like: Do I truly love God? Am I turning away from sin? Do I see evidence of God changing me?

4. God’s Promises in Everyday Life – The Puritans believed that God had made promises to His people (through what they called covenants) and that Christians could experience these promises by trusting and obeying Him.

5. Practical Preaching – Puritan pastors didn’t just teach theology; they preached in a way that helped people apply it to their daily lives. Their sermons were meant to convict, encourage, and lead people into a deeper relationship with God.

Why Does This Matter?

For the Puritans, faith wasn’t just an idea—it was an experience. They wanted people to know God personally, see His work in their lives, and grow in holiness. Their focus on real, lived-out faith still challenges us today to move beyond just believing in God to truly following Him.