Becker Bible Studies Library

Pietism

A religious movement with emphasis on Biblical doctrine and individual piety

Denomination History, Practices and Beliefs

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Introduction

Pietism was a religious movement within Lutheranism in the 17th and 18th century. The Pietism movement combined the Lutheran emphasis on the Biblical doctrine along with the Puritan Reform which emphasized an individual piety and a vital Christian life. Pietism influenced Protestantism, Anabaptism, the beginning of Methodism under John Wesley.

Pietism emphasized a devotion to religion, as well as inward devotion, moral and ethical purity, charitable activity and pastoral theology. It was considered to be a heart religion rather than a head religion. There were many theologians influenced by pietism. Philipp Jakob Spener is credited with being the founder of the movement in the German Church and held religious meetings in his home and gave sermons and expanded on passages from the New Testament.

History

The Pietism movement was created by Philipp Jakob Spener who is known as the Father of Peitism. Philipp Jakob Spener was born January 13, 1635 in Rappoltsweiler in Upper Alsace, Germany. He studied philology, history, and philosophy. He was a German Christian theologian, lectured in the Strasbourg University on philology and history; he pastured the Lutheran church at Frankfurt and led a religious revival in many of the German states. Even though the theological faculty at Wittenberg made formal charges against him in 1695, his ideas spread too many German congregations and in parts of Europe. His religious views turned in the direction of mysticism in Geneva. Philipp Jakob Spener co-founded the University of Halle in 1694.

There were two points on which Philipp Jakob Spener went against the Orthodox Lutheran faith and that was he required the view of a regeneration or a rebirth and believed without which it could not be from a true theologian, he also expected the conversion of the Jews and the fall of the Papacy as a beginning of the triumph of the church. Spener suggested a few proposals for the restoration of the life of the church: He believed there needed to be an earnest and thorough study of the Bible in private meetings; he believed laity should share in the spiritual government of the Church; Spener believed there should be an understanding as well as a practice of Christianity; he proposed a reorganization of the theological training of the universities believing it would give a more devoted life; finally Spener believed preaching needed to change, the establishing Christianity in the inner or new man, he believed the soul is faith and it effects the fruit of life.

Philipp Jakob Spener died February 5, 1705. Spener had stressed the necessity of a new birth and on a separation of Christians from the world this continued to bring a passion among the followers of Pietism. Later the followers of Pietism believed this new birth had to always be before an anguished repentance, and only a regenerated theologian could teach theology, they believed the Christian had to reject all worldly distractions such as public games, dancing and even the theatre.

Pietism immigrated to the Midwest around 1800 and formed the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. There were many immigrants to American and formed German Evangelical congregations. They later formed and started the Evangelical Synod of North America; it is now a part of the United Church of Christ. Pietism influenced John Wesley and others who founded the Methodist movement and the modern American Methodists and members of the Holiness movement as well as the Moravian heritage.

There was a new Lutheran movement that restored the confessional Lutheran doctrine. They focused on a reassertion of the Lutheran Church as a distinct group focused on traditional doctrine and liturgy which resembled the growth of the Anglo Catholicism occurring in England.

Belief

Pietism was primarily concerned with the chronological unfolding of the revelation in the Bible. Pietism emphasized personal experience, moral living, and an enlightening message of the Bible. Pietism took standards and goals form the pages of Scripture.

Pietism had the fundamental belief of holy living and extended every effort to follow the law of God, spread the gospel and tried to provide help for the needy.

Pietism stood for the renewal of individual prayer and humility. Pietism accepted a mystical, personal submersion in feelings. Pietism turned away from the world and the temptation and corrupt forms of enjoyment.

Pietism believes in the priesthood for all believers. They believe all Christians should be active in the general work of the ministry in Christian. They believe the practice of Christianity is more than just simple knowledge.

Pietism urges restraint and charity in religious controversies. They believe in praying for unbelievers and those who are nonconformist. They believe disputes should be handled with kindness and understanding.

Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.” (Lu 21:36 AV)

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