Christianity and challenge of modernity

Question 1

What 2 narratives are influential in explaining the history of Christianity in the modern world.

Answer 1

a) Secularisation: transformation of society away from religious value/institution towards secular institutions and non-religious values
b) revival: rapid expansion of Christianity’s global footprint due to evangelical revival since 1930s.

Question 2

a) Secularisation:

2 historian view

Answer 2

• ‘common sense’ view is that it was erosion of religious belief due to enlightenment, revolution and western challenge to original authority
• explanation that appealed to western intellectuals an clergy (explained why their jobw as so hard)
  Morris: “secularisation theory in part derives its authority from Christianity’s own pathology of decay and renewal”.
  Erdozain: Secularisation happens when religious economies failed to diversify.

Question 3

Challenges to notion that religion (in britain) was decaying

Answer 3

• from 1950s Britain became more multi-cultural. 19th c secularisation theorists couldn’t have predicted that
• uneven picture: within XN some denominations withered e.g. west calvinist methodism whereas others flourished/ remained stable: English Cathedrals, evangelicism
• Even in mid 19th century industrialised London, new denominations such as the Salvation Army could be created, which developed global presence. Many secularisation theorists didn’t accept this

Question 4

The timing of secularisation?
3 views
kinda historiography

Answer 4

Debated

a) 1851 consensus 42% didnt go to Church in England and Wales on 30th March. however fact that 58% did go could be evidence that religion remained intact
b) mid 20th C historians argued that it was set in mid to late 19th c. However could depend on narrow definition of religion as male going.
c) third: Recent 21st century historians argue it didnt make differnece until 1960s: witnessed sudden collapse in prevailing culture, which underpinned Xn Assumptions. potentialy as significant as 16th c reformation

Question 5

Religious revival?

Answer 5

a) Evangelicism and revival sparked in 1730s Saxony Englan and Wales.
b) evangelicism is: defined by 4 elements
- Biblicism (Bible central to Church)
- Activism (view that Xn shuld actively engage with world) e.g. protesting bombing of Vietnam
- Conversionism: desire to convert others
- Crucicentrism: focus on death/ressurection of Jesus.
c) 1730-1860s several evngelical awakenings. due to moernity ideas spread quicker: spread to America, Africa and Korea due to missionaries and development of pentecostalism in 20th c.
d) Evangelicism empowered working class e.g. methoist
e) Evangelicals strong political force until WW1. Protestant christian culture remained pervasive in Britain until 1950s. Evangelicals provided great networks formembers