With so many contradictory renditions of the biblical text, the public has lost confidence that we can actually know what the Bible says. It is an easy step from this skepticism to an indifference about what the Bible says.

Since God is the one who calls people to their work, the worker becomes a steward who serves God.

The Puritans were obsessed with the dangers of wealth.

Writers themselves benefit from all helpful information about their task and methods. Readers, in turn, can have both their understanding and appreciation of literature enhanced by information about the writer's work.

The Puritans removed organs and paintings from churches, but bought them for private use in their homes.

Literature incarnates its meanings as concretely as possible. The knowledge that literature gives of a subject is the kind of knowledge that is obtained by (vicariously) living through an experience.

For the Puritans, the God-centered life meant making the quest for spiritual and moral holiness the great business of life.