Modern Christianity
Christianity\'s encounter with modernity, from the Enlightenment through the 19th century
Locale: en
Key Characteristics
- •Encounter with Enlightenment rationalism
- •Religious revivals and evangelical movements
- •Global missionary expansion
- •Denominational proliferation
- •Social reform and humanitarian work
Major Developments
- •Liberal theology and biblical criticism
- •Fundamentalist reaction and conservatism
- •Pentecostal and charismatic movements
- •Ecumenical movement and cooperation
- •Christian engagement with social issues
Enlightenment and Rationalism (1650-1800)
1650-1700
Scientific discoveries challenge traditional religious worldviews
Significance:
Beginning of tension between faith and reason
1680-1800
Belief in a distant God who created but doesn't intervene
Significance:
Challenge to traditional Christian theism
1675-1750
German movement emphasizing personal piety and Bible study
Significance:
Reaction against rationalism, influence on revivalism
1738-1791
John Wesley's evangelical movement in England
Significance:
Mass evangelism and social reform
Great Awakenings (1720-1800)
1720-1750
Religious revival in American colonies led by Jonathan Edwards
Significance:
Unified American colonies, established revival tradition
1790-1840
Religious revival emphasizing personal conversion and social reform
Significance:
Birth of American evangelicalism and reform movements
1800-1850
Outdoor revival meetings in frontier America
Significance:
Popular evangelism and denominational growth
1825-1875
Revivalist preaching emphasizing human agency in conversion
Significance:
New measures in evangelism and social reform
Missionary Movement (1790-1900)
1792
William Carey's mission to India begins modern missions
Significance:
Foundation of Protestant missionary movement
1795
Interdenominational mission society founded
Significance:
Cooperation in missions across denominations
1886
College students committing to foreign missions
Significance:
Mobilization of young people for missions
1865
Hudson Taylor's faith mission to interior China
Significance:
Model for indigenous church planting
Denominational Development (1800-1900)
1809
Restoration movement led by Alexander Campbell
Significance:
Emphasis on New Testament church restoration
1863
William Miller's millennial movement
Significance:
Adventist theology and health reform
1865
William Booth's social service organization
Significance:
Integration of evangelism and social work
1879
Mary Baker Eddy's metaphysical Christianity
Significance:
Alternative Christian movement
1703-1791 CE
Anglican Clergyman and Methodist Founder
Major Contributions
- •Methodist movement and revival
- •Preaching to the masses
- •Social reform and education
- •Small group discipleship
Key Writings
- •Sermons on Several Occasions
- •Journal of John Wesley
- •A Plain Account of Christian Perfection
- •Various hymns and letters
Historical Significance:
Founder of Methodism, leader of Evangelical Revival
1703-1758 CE
American Theologian and Revivalist
Major Contributions
- •Great Awakening leadership
- •Calvinist theology
- •Religious experience analysis
- •Philosophical theology
Key Writings
- •Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God
- •Religious Affections
- •Freedom of the Will
- •A Treatise Concerning Religious Affections
Historical Significance:
Leading figure in American Great Awakening
1761-1834 CE
Baptist Missionary
Major Contributions
- •Modern missionary movement
- •Translation work in India
- •Missionary organization
- •Cross-cultural evangelism
Key Writings
- •An Enquiry into the Obligations of Christians
- •Bengali Bible translation
- •Various missionary reports
Historical Significance:
Father of modern Protestant missions
1768-1834 CE
German Theologian and Philosopher
Major Contributions
- •Liberal theology development
- •Religious experience focus
- •Hermeneutics and interpretation
- •Dialogue with Enlightenment
Key Writings
- •On Religion: Speeches to its Cultured Despisers
- •The Christian Faith
- •Hermeneutics and Criticism
Historical Significance:
Father of modern liberal theology
1834-1892 CE
Baptist Preacher and Theologian
Major Contributions
- •Popular preaching ministry
- •Pastors' College establishment
- •Social reform and charity
- •Calvinist evangelism
Key Writings
- •Lectures to My Students
- •The Treasury of David
- •Thousands of sermons
- •Various theological works
Historical Significance:
Prince of Preachers, influential Baptist leader
1832-1905 CE
Missionary to China
Major Contributions
- •China Inland Mission founder
- •Indigenous church planting
- •Faith mission principles
- •Cross-cultural adaptation
Key Writings
- •China's Spiritual Need and Claims
- •A Retrospect
- •Various missionary letters
Historical Significance:
Pioneer of faith missions and indigenous church planting
Liberal Theology
Schleiermacher
Religious experience as basis for theology
Ritschl
Value judgments and moral theology
Harnack
Historical Jesus and essence of Christianity
Conservative Responses
Princeton Theology
Conservative Calvinist response to liberalism
Fundamentalism
Reaction against modernism and biblical criticism
Evangelicalism
Conservative Protestantism with emphasis on conversion
Reform Movements
- •Abolition of slavery
- •Women\'s rights and suffrage
- •Temperance and prohibition
- •Education and literacy
Institutional Development
- •Christian colleges and universities
- •Hospitals and healthcare
- •Orphanages and social services
- •Missionary organizations