1. Roots: Pt 1

2. Last week we reviewed our ties to Protestant Reformation
Last week we reviewed our ties to Protestant Reformation. All Protestant denominations derive origin from one of four foundational reform traditions:
Lutheranism (Luther)
Reformed (Zwingli/Calvin)
Anabaptism (Mulitple Leaders)
Anglicanism (Henry VIII)

3. Over next four weeks will look at MCUSA specific root system, citing Five Traditions of influence towards today’s reality.
Anabaptism
Pietism
Wesleyanism
Keswickianism
Evangelicalism

4. We are doing this because sometimes it’s a good idea to get out a family photo album and remember your story, maybe it helps you recognize where you are in the big picture and remind you that you may not be as crazy as you think. Maybe it helps you put your finger on an internal drive or something you couldn’t articulate before, and suddenly you’re not alone.

5. Influence #1: Anabaptism
Typical Protestant Orthodoxy applies but with a strong favor towards Arminianism over Calvin.
Values that drove Reformation:
Personal Salvation by faith in Christ
Personal discipleship with Christ
Public life of faith
Scripture only, no ecclesiastic dogma
Suffering Savior = People of Peace

6. Practices that expressed reformation:
Purposeful, public Baptism as Adult
Community/Corporate discipleship
Book of Acts
Low church polity
True separation of Church and State
No military service
Devout personal pacifists
No link between religion and citizenship

7. Result?

8. Influence #2: Pietism
Pietism is not a reform movement, but rather a faith orientation around specific, non-doctrinal or polity values that lend definition to both individuals and corporate bodies of believers.
It was mostly popular among high church traditions at first, intersecting with Anabaptists in America during Great Awakening.

9. Pietism- The Values:
Theology of Experience
Want to be stirred by God in personally understood, even emotive ways
God is not just to be studied, but known

10. Pietism- The Values (cont.):
Faith as personal response to God’s love
Reformation of Life
The inner life is always well invested in, but must find expression in the world around us

11. Pietism- The Practice:
Personal intimacy with God
Prayer
Published devotional material
Meditation on God’s love, especially as demonstrated through Christ at Cross

12. Pietism- The Practice:
Congregational intimacy beyond High Church services
Prayer Meetings
Bible Studies
Exuberant worship through vivid language in song
Small Groups

13. Pietism- The Practice:
Missions: Everyone should know of the love of God!
Influenced Great Awakening in America as well as revivalism around England
Inspired personal missionary ventures around the world that would launch from 1800s to today

14. Result?