Church History: American Restoration Movement Surveying 1500 Years March 5, 2014

Rome Introduction: understand the development of thought patterns as background for understanding the European Reformation Roman thinking was shaped by Greek thinking The absolute, universal value system of the Christians was a threat Constantine, 313 A.D., 381 A.D. Rome fell because it lacked a sufficient base upon which to build society

Middle Ages ~500 A.D. to 1400 A.D. Social, political and intellectual turmoil Developing concept of spirituality set aside realism Distortions of biblical teaching, increasing humanistic elements Mixing of the secular and the Christian, integration of church and state Questions of authority (state, church, Bible) Church-state conflicts led to limited, responsible government Syncretism of thought

Renaissance Renaissance, “rebirth,” reached height in 14 th, 15 th, and 16 th centuries, but roots are earlier Philosophical changes with Aquinas (b. 1225) Plato and Aristotle contrasted – Plato: absolutes-ideals, separated from the real Higher, God, grace, unseen, unity of universals – Aristotle: real-particulars, individual Lower, created, natural, visible, diversity Faith in man as capable of solving everything

Summary of Unresolved Questions The possibility of an absolute, objective value system not based on the ability to think, observe, or experience The relationship between church and state The separation or integration of the spiritual (including the Bible) and the secular (including humanistic elements) The nature of the authority of the Bible (must it be mediated? through the church, or through human thought and analysis?) The alliance or conflict between philosophy and theology The church was slow to study itself and develop an ecclesiology The capacity or incapacity of humankind, and the related question of whether or to what extent human being participate or cooperate in salvation.

Church History: American Restoration Movement The European Reformation: A Survey March 12, 2014

Summary of Unresolved Questions The possibility of an absolute, objective value system not based on the ability to think, observe, or experience The relationship between church and state The separation or integration of the spiritual (including the Bible) and the secular (including humanistic elements) The nature of the authority of the Bible (must it be mediated? through the church, or through human thought and analysis?) The alliance or conflict between philosophy and theology The church was slow to study itself and develop an ecclesiology The capacity or incapacity of humankind, and the related question of whether or to what extent human being participate or cooperate in salvation.

Reformation Renaissance OR Reformation? Two answers to same problem—capable or incapable man? Contributions of Wycliffe, Huss, Luther Positives of the Reformation – Bible has authority – Cannot begin with or depend on mankind – Some awareness of biblical distortions Negatives of the Reformation Reformation branches: Luther, Calvin (Zwingli, Knox), Anglicans, Radical-Anabaptists, Spiritualists)

Politics Return to Bible brought political freedom A moral base provided freedom without chaos Government is not arbitrary – Samuel Rutherford, Lex Rex – John Witherspoon – John Locke – Society is judged by an external, objective standard

Enlightenment Merriam-Webster: “a movement of the 18th century that stressed the belief that science and logic give people more knowledge and understanding than tradition and religion”

Church History: American Restoration Movement Early U.S. church history Early Restoration longings and efforts March 26, 2014

Summary of Unresolved Questions The possibility of an absolute, objective value system not based on the ability to think, observe, or experience The relationship between church and state The separation or integration of the spiritual (including the Bible) and the secular (including humanistic elements) The nature of the authority of the Bible (must it be mediated? through the church, or through human thought and analysis?) The alliance or conflict between philosophy and theology The church was slow to study itself and develop an ecclesiology The capacity or incapacity of humankind, and the related question of whether or to what extent human being participate or cooperate in salvation.

The Early American Context An English settlement Predominantly Protestant Transplanted churches Increasing importance of the laity Breakdown of parish system Increasing focus on preaching

The Great Awakening Locally autonomous churches Revivalism naturally conflicts with Calvinism Head/heart: changed beliefs or changed lives Challenges to authority Unity valued—distinctions renounced

Second Great Awakening “Civic” religion Great waves of revivals The theological dividing point Presbyterian secessions