Rationalism and Revivalism in Europe (ca. 1600-1800)

2002-11-08

I. Rationalism in Religion

Much of European Christianity had become cold. Intellectual movement called the Enlightenment. Living to the light of reason. Emphasized reason. There were reactions against it too.

A. Modern Science and philosophy

Copernicus came up with heliocentric theory. Sir Francis Bacon and the Scientific Method. Isaac Newton, law of gravitation. Natural law was emphasized in every science field. Philosophies were based on the assumption that men were rational beings.

Rene Descartes: philosophy, who doubted everything except his own consciousness. I think, therefore, I am. Explanation of the universe. By reason alone you can know the existence of God.

John Locke: empiricism. Knowledge comes through the senses. Materialistic. Tabula rasa. People are products of their environment.

B. New Religion

Deism. Religion of the age of reason. God created, but then stepped back. Set everything in motion. God is transcendent and impersonal. Clockmaker God. No miracles. No revelation. Prayer does nothing. No prophecy, no incarnation. Jesus is a moral teacher. Bible is an ethical guidebook. Religion’s aim is ethical living, virtue.

Affects: English upper classes, French philosophers. America, promoted by American thinkers: Perhaps Benjamin Franklin. Definitely Thomas Paine (Common Sense, Age of Reason, traditional and atheist). Ethan Allen, gave lectures. Thomas Jefferson, most articulate deist.

II. Reactions to rationalism

A. Mysticism

Emphasizes emotions rather than reason. RCC: Quietism movement which emphasizes opening one’s self to God’s light, contemplation. Emanuel Swedenborg, spiritual world behind the world of nature. Communication with heavenly beings is possible. Founded the Church of the New Jerusalem. Quakers movement, went against rationalism, believed in an inner light, that would guide you and was direct revelation from God. They sit in silence until someone receives revelation. Anti-war and -slavery. No social distinctions. No oaths in court.

B. Revivalism

Germany: Pietism. An aspect of Lutheranism, where the church had become cold. Stressed individual bible study and prayer, and holiness of life. Leader: Philipp Jakob Spener. Lutheran pastor in Frankfurt, Germany. Cottage prayer meetings. Practical training for ministers, not just theological. Others produced an orphanage and many schools. Undertook missionary work in foreign lands. Weaknesses: subjective, neglected doctrine. Moravians: Count Zinzendorf, influenced by Pietism. Recognized as separate church in 1742. Missionary work in foreign lands, more than any of the others. They went to GA, and then PA. Brought John Wesley to personal faith in Christ.

Methodism in England: John and Charles Wesley. England was in poor moral and spiritual condition. Drinking and gambling. Corrupt Government. Oxford University: These two started a group called the Holy Club. They were nicknamed Methodists because of their methodical religious practices. Wesley was not converted until after a trip to America. He was supposed to take up a ministry in GA. This trip he met the Moravians and was convinced of his own spiritual needs. Feared he was going to lose life during a storm on the ship. He soon returned to England, because his ministry was a failure. He read the preface to Luther’s commentaries to Romans. Joined with George Whitefield in field preaching in 1739. Whitefield soon after went to America. Wesley continued for the next 50 years. He traveled nearly 200,000 miles on horseback during his life time. He preached 42,000 sermons. Good organizer. He built churches and organized Methodist Societies. Lay preachers. Set up orphanages. These were still apart from the Anglican Church. Only after his death did they separate. Charles Wesley: He is remembered for his poems set to music. Wesleyan theology: Arminian in its emphasis. Whitefield was Calvinist. Justification of faith at one particular point. He believed in Christian Perfection. The possibility of absolute perfection in our motives (not behavior), because of the Holy Spirit. Wesleyan revival had a great impact in England. Working class affected. England was spared a worker’s revolution. Liquor trade reduced. Slavery was opposed. Prison reform: by John Howard. Revival, Sunday School Unit of 1781 by Robert Raikes. Emphasized education in general. Medicine for poor furthered. Anglican evangelical revival came from this also. Methodist church strong in America.