Church Matters: Retrieving the Great Tradition

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Chur ch Mat ter s : Ret r i ev i ng the Great Trad i t i on

Ireland, Scotland, Holland, the West Indies and North America; was often imprisoned for his beliefs. William Penn, founder of the Pennsylvania Colony, was close friends with Fox, even traveling and preaching with him. b. Pietism: Philipp Jakob Spener (circa 1635-1705), “founder of Pietism,” stressing the importance of living personal faith in Jesus Christ: The name possibly surfaced in response to the title Philipp Jacob Spener (1635–1705) gave to his introduction of a book of sermons by Johann Arndt (1555–1621) in 1675, Pia Desideria (Pious Wishes, tr. Th. Tappert, Philadelphia, 1964). Spener is commonly regarded as the father of pietism. In German-speaking circles his religious signifi cance is judged second only to Luther. As the senior minister of the famous Paulskirche in Frankfurt, the young pastor expressed his concern about the corrupt state of the church. He was reacting against the polemical ortho doxy that was sterile amid the immorality and terrible social conditions following the Thirty Years’ War (1618–48). Hoping for better times, Spener set forth his ‘pious wishes’ for the reformation of the church. He advocated: 1. more intensive Bible study, individually and in collegia pietatis (conventicles); 2. the exercise of the universal priesthood of believers through increased lay activity; 3. the practice of Christianity in daily life and works of unselfish love; 4. dealing with unbelievers and heretics with sincere prayers, good example, persuasive dialogue and the spirit of love instead of compulsion. These proposals quickly became the focus of a growing controversy. c. Methodism: the Wesleys, John and Charles: John Wesley, born 1703, his father being rector of Epworth, in Lincolnshire. Saved from fire at five, studied at Christ Church, Oxford, ordained 1725, became a Fellow of Lincoln College, became one of the founders of the Holy Club. Failed as a missionary to Georgia in 1735; underwent experience of profound assurance of salvation on May 24, 1738 which traditionally has ~ New Dictionary of Theology , electronic ed. 2000, © 1988, S. 516.