In the Market with Janet Parshall Hour 2: Why Thanksgiving?
Nov 27, 2025
Historian and theologian Peter Lilback, president of Westminster Theological Seminary, shares the captivating story of the Pilgrims and their journey to religious freedom. He discusses how the meaning of Thanksgiving extends beyond mere feasting and emphasizes gratitude to God. Lilback clarifies the distinctions between Pilgrims, Puritans, and Separatists, recounts the harrowing voyage of the Mayflower, and highlights the significance of the Mayflower Compact. He concludes by tying Thanksgiving to the Pilgrims' unwavering trust in divine providence.
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Thanksgiving Is About A Giver
- Thanksgiving recognizes a gift received, not merely human effort.
- Peter Lilback ties the holiday to acknowledging God as the giver of every good thing.
Pilgrims Sought A Biblical English Culture
- Pilgrims separated from the Anglican Church to form a biblical, English culture.
- They intended a Protestant community free of mandated Anglican rituals.
Puritans Built New England Institutions
- Puritans stayed to reform the Church of England rather than separate from it.
- Their influence shaped institutions like Harvard and Yale and later migration to New England.
