The Evangelical Revival in Germany (Pietism)

Pietism was the turning point for evangelism/ evangelical movement. 18th -20th centuries is known as the age of revivals. The Late Middle period was the age of Roman Catholic Scholasticism while 17th century was the age of Protestant scholasticism, i.e., giving much emphasis on intellectual, dogmas, etc. and not in personal experiences. The scholastic Lutheranism emphasis fixed dogmatic interpretation and rigid and demanding intellectual conformity doctrines. Pietism was a break with this scholastic tendency (Karl Barth, he was a pastor and his intellectual preaching cannot satisfy the spiritual needs of the people. So, he began to learn the Bible and that was the turning point of the whole world. The Pietist also reemphasizes the importance of the new birth, personal faith in the Lord, Christian experience and missionary concern. 

First Phase of Pietism

Philip Jacob Spener (1635-1705): he was the founder of Lutheran Pietism in Germany. He reemphasizes new birth, personal faith, etc. in his sermons he emphasizes the value of devotional life or spiritual life rather than dogma. He began to hold prayer meetings known as “Collegia Pietatis” which form a basis for Pietist movement. Pietism was a German revival movement which begun among the Lutheran in the closing years of the 17th century. Pietism was a protest against Lutheran church over dogmatism. 

Background: Pietism had a very rich spiritual background: [1] The hymns of Gerhard [2] Preaching of men like Schuhupp and Grossgevauer [3] The writings of Ardent about true Christianity etc., played a vital role in the emergence of Pietism.

Brief history of Philip Jacob Spener: Philipp Jacob Spener was a Lutheran pastor in Frankfurt (Germany). In 1670 he organized a prayer group in his church called collegia pietatis, meaning the community of piety. In 1675 he published a book entitled “Pia Desideria” (pious/ holy desire). The name Pietism came from the title of this book “Pia Desideria”. This book or in his book Spener attacked the existing evils of the church and made specific proposals for reforms of the church. He said the sermon to be devotional in character. This book expresses six major principles of life and these six principles became the principles of Pietism.

Six Principles: 1] Biblical study, 2] Lay activity, 3] Ethical revival, 4] Answering theological polemics, 5] Reform and renewing of theological education, 6] Evangelical preaching. He taught that Christianity means a renew life express through holy behavior. He declares that true Christian should not attend theatre, dance or play cards. Another thing he said only converted professor should teach theology. The Pietistic movement led to the establishment of “Halle” in 1694. Halle latter become a famous theological center and the professors become famous (Ziegenbalg and Hung, etc.).

Second Phase of Pietism

After Philipp Jacob Spener the leadership was taken by Hermann Franke a professor of Halle University in Germany. Hence, Halle becomes the center of Pietism.

Contribution of Hermann Franke: 1] Under his leadership Halle become a center of Pietism, 2] He founded an orphanage, 3] He established a printing press, 4] A home missionary association was established. (In 1705 the king of Denmark sent two German Lutheran missionaries to Tranquabar in Tamil Nadu. They were Ziegenbalg and Henry Pluetschau, the first Protestant missionaries came to India. In the history of the church, Halle is most famous for foreign missionaries), 5] Franke was responsible establishing famous Danish Halle missions. It was this Danish mission, which sent Ziegenbalg and Pluetschau to India.

The Third Phase of Pietism (Zinzendorf)

The third phase of Pietism is that it became an international movement under Zinzendorf. In 1722 he offers asylum on his estate to Moravian refugee. This becomes the dynamic phase of Pietistic movement. The distinguishing mark of Moravian mission was a combination of personal experience and cooperate fellowship between the believers. Thus, the Moravian movement/ mission…. They played a notable role in expansion of mission work.

The Main Teachings of Pietism: 1] Pietist emphasize the born-again experience, 2] Prayer life, 3] Group fellowship, 4] Ethical values, 4] Spiritual vitality, 5] Emphasis on the moral responsibilities of Christians. Several organizations arose due to Pietist movement like “holiness”.

Impact of Pietism: Pietism has affected German life in several ways: 

1. It give powerful influence on education and led to establishment of Halle university, 
2. Growth of German language and literature, 
3. The rise of German nationalism,
4. It paved the way for humanism and Universalism of enlightenment, 
5. Several missionary societies came into existence as the result of Pietist movement, 
6. Pietism inspired revivals in several countries. 

In America it led to the Great Awakening, in Great Britain it led to Methodist Awakening or Evangelical Awakening.