Pietism

=Pietism=

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Pietism was a movement against the Protestant orthodoxy. It aimed towards a sense of reformation for practical Christianity. Pietism began in the German Lutheran Church in the year 160, where Spener began his rising power. Philipp Jakob Spener was born in 1635 in Alsace. While studying at Geneva in 1660, he became a Reformed preacher, and later a separatist fanatic. He was appointed as a pastor in 1666. He created "Collegia pietatis" in 1670, understanding the necessity of such a teaching for people to fully understand his ideas on lively faith and the sanctification of daily life. There were six suggestions he made in order for ecclesiastical conditions to improve: Spener was called to Berlin in order to become a provost to the church of St. Nicholas and as a counsellor to the consistory. It was here that Pietism was attacked in the Easter programme of 1691. However, due to Spener's confidence of Prince Frederick III, Spener had great influence in selecting professors for the theological faculty for the University of Halle. Some professors included:  Pietism treated dogma as a secondary matter and had indifference toward some doctrines and set forth theological rationalism. It went through several ups and downs in influence, reviving in Protestant Germany and Switzerland in the early nineteenth century.
 * 1)  Private gatherings for sermons should be held to secure a more in-depth understanding of the Word of God for the people.
 * 2) The idea of a more universal priesthood should be deemed more significant.
 * 3) A spirit of forgiveness should be exercised.
 * 4) People should treat unbelievers not with a troubled spirit, but with the hope of winning these souls.
 * 5) Professors should set an example, and students should study diligence and a devout life. Theology must therefore be reformed.
 * 6) Stress should be put on faith and living a practical Christian life when addressed with preaching.
 * 1) Hermann Francke
 * 2) Joachim Justus Breithaupt
 * 3) Paul Anton
 * 4) Christian Thomasius

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Pietism

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