In this episode of Christ the Center, Camden Bucey welcomes Dr. J. Brandon Burks, pastor of Christ Reformed Church (URCNA) in Florence, Kentucky, to discuss his recent article published in The Confessional Presbyterian Journal (Vol. 20, 2024): The Puritans and the Salem Witch Trials: Living According to God’s Revealed Will.

Together, they explore the theological context of the infamous Salem witch trials of 1692, uncovering how speculative theology and reliance on so-called “spectral evidence” reflected a deeper deviation from Scripture’s clarity and sufficiency. Dr. Burks outlines the influence of figures such as William Perkins, Cotton Mather, and Richard Baxter, while also shedding light on how the distinction between God’s secret and revealed will was tragically misunderstood.

The conversation goes beyond history, offering timely insights into contemporary fascination with mysticism, the spiritual dangers of neglecting the ordinary means of grace, and the need for biblically grounded theology in facing spiritual warfare today. They conclude by considering the value of a redemptive-historical and confessional framework in pastoral ministry and theological education.

Links

Chapters

00:07 Introduction
02:11 Academic Background and Church Planting in Kentucky
07:36 Van Til’s Theology of Christian Education
09:39 The Puritans and the Salem Witch Trials
15:04 Speculative Theology
18:03 Williams Perkins’ Theology as a Basis
24:00 Covenants with the Devil
26:14 Devil’s Marks and Their Significance
29:52 Exploring the Explosion of Accusations in 1692
33:39 Debunking the Moldy Bread Theory
35:29 The Influence of Samuel Parris
39:21 The Dangers of Speculative Theology
44:26 Balancing Awareness of the Spiritual Realm
50:33 Misunderstandings of the Salem Witch Trials
53:35 Further Reading and Resources on the Trials
58:07 Conclusion

Participants: Camden Bucey, J. Brandon Burks

J. Brandon Burks | The Puritans and the Salem Witch Trials