Uploaded June 2026 | Updated September 2026, 11 hours ago
All 13 colonies from 1607 to 1776 were more or less Calvinist in doctrine.
Both Reformer John Calvin and Puritan minister Cotton Mather upheld the principle of primogeniture—specifically the right of the firstborn son to inherit a double portion of the paternal estate as outlined in Deuteronomy 21:17. Their shared belief in this biblical mandate is evident in their respective theologies and commentaries:
• John Calvin: In his Commentary on Deuteronomy 21 Calvin argued that it was "an act of ungodly arrogance" for a father to bypass the rightful firstborn and arbitrarily assign the birthright based on personal favoritism. He noted that this law was meant to bar a father from altering the rights of primogeniture, as the firstborn represents the "principal honor and ornament of the father". However, Calvin also acknowledged that if there was a grave and just cause (such as in the case of Reuben), a firstborn could be superseded.
• Cotton Mather: As a strict Puritan theologian, Mather inherited the traditional Reformed framework. He frequently referenced Calvin's writings—notably stating that he loved to "sweeten his mouth with a piece of Calvin" before bed. In the New England Puritan context, this scriptural precedent supported legal and cultural systems where the eldest son was typically granted an enhanced share of the family inheritance to help him maintain the family estate and care for younger siblings.
Calvin and Mather felt that God's command in Deuteronomy 21:17 for fathers to give the eldest son his double portion had to be obeyed or seriously negative consequences would result.
Peter shares some interesting research regarding the origins of the "great American experiment in self government." He mentions for example that the American war of 1861 was caused in a big way by the sudden abolition of the right of the firstborn son 75 years earlier.
#declarationofindependence
#independenceday
#july4th
All 13 colonies from 1607 to 1776 were more or less Calvinist in doctrine.
Both Reformer John Calvin and Puritan minister Cotton Mather upheld the principle of primogeniture—specifically the right of the firstborn son to inherit a double portion of the paternal estate as outlined in Deuteronomy 21:17. Their shared belief in this biblical mandate is evident in their respective theologies and commentaries:
• John Calvin: In his Commentary on Deuteronomy 21 Calvin argued that it was "an act of ungodly arrogance" for a father to bypass the rightful firstborn and arbitrarily assign the birthright based on personal favoritism. He noted that this law was meant to bar a father from altering the rights of primogeniture, as the firstborn represents the "principal honor and ornament of the father". However, Calvin also acknowledged that if there was a grave and just cause (such as in the case of Reuben), a firstborn could be superseded.
• Cotton Mather: As a strict Puritan theologian, Mather inherited the traditional Reformed framework. He frequently referenced Calvin's writings—notably stating that he loved to "sweeten his mouth with a piece of Calvin" before bed. In the New England Puritan context, this scriptural precedent supported legal and cultural systems where the eldest son was typically granted an enhanced share of the family inheritance to help him maintain the family estate and care for younger siblings.
Calvin and Mather felt that God's command in Deuteronomy 21:17 for fathers to give the eldest son his double portion had to be obeyed or seriously negative consequences would result.
Peter shares some interesting research regarding the origins of the "great American experiment in self government." He mentions for example that the American war of 1861 was caused in a big way by the sudden abolition of the right of the firstborn son 75 years earlier.
#declarationofindependence
#independenceday
#july4th
