Church History People 27-41 Quick Flashcards
Jacob Arminius
(1560–1609)
1- A progressive Protestant Dutch theologian
2- author of a brand of theology known as Arminianism
3- discarded the idea of unconditional predestination and taught that man had freedom to choose or reject salvation.
4- He was the first to urge that the state tolerate all religions
Moïse Amyraut and the School of Saumur
(1596–1664)
1- developed the doctrine of “hypothetical universalism” known as Amyraldianism.
2- His views, known as Amyraldism, proposed that Christ’s death was sufficient for all people, but only efficient for the elect.
3- The School of Saumur was a theological center in France during the 17th century, closely associated with Amyraut.
Francis Makemie
1658-1708
1- He organized the first enduring presbytery in America, “Father of American Presbyterianism.”
2- The first presbytery (1706) included congregations in Maryland, Delaware and Philadelphia.
3- Advocate for Religious Freedom: He was an advocate for religious freedom and the separation of church and state.
4- establishing the first Presbyterian congregation in the American colonies in 1683
Jonathan Edwards
(1703–1758)
1- Jonathan Edwards was a central figure in the First Great Awakening, a religious revival movement in the 1730s and 1740s.
2- famous sermon “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God,”
3- His work on “The Freedom of the Will” and “Religious Affections” has had a lasting impact on Reformed theology, emphasizing God’s sovereignty, the necessity of personal conversion, and the importance of genuine religious experience over mere outward rituals.
Richard Baxter
(1615–1691)
1- Puritan preacher
2- He wrote The Reformed Pastor, A Call to The Unconverted, and A Christian Directory.
3- he emphasized the importance of pastoral diligence, personal holiness, and the need for pastors to care for their congregations spiritually.
Zinzendorf
(1700–1760)
1- The founder of the Moravian Church.
2- Advocate for Global Missions: Zinzendorf’s vision for the Moravian Church extended beyond Europe. He was a pioneer in global missions, sending Moravian missionaries to places like the Caribbean, North America, and Africa
3- He was also instrumental in the development of a spirituality marked by heartfelt devotion, focusing on the love of Christ, the unity of believers, and the importance of prayer and worship
George Whitefield
(1714–1770)
1- An English Calvinistic revivalist who was a major figure in the Great Awakening.
2- Known for his eloquence and incredible speaking voice, he would preach to thousands gathered in the countryside.
3- He was also influential in the founding of orphanages across the colonies.
4- he was closely associated with the Wesley brothers
John Wesley
(1703–1791)
1-An Arminian revivalist who, with the help of his brother Charles, founded Methodism as a movement within the Anglican church.
2- The Methodists stressed personal piety and devotion, as well as man’s free choice to receive God’s grace.
3- Wesley combined the teaching of justification by faith alone with an emphasis on the pursuit of holiness to the point of “Christian perfection.”
Marrow controversy
1718 - 1720
1- The controversy arose over the doctrinal content of a book titled The Marrow of Modern Divinity by Edward Fisher
2- The Marrow Men supported the free offer of the gospel and salvation available to all through faith alone, regardless of works or moral state. They argued that justification is by faith, not works, and that sanctification follows from justification, with salvation offered universally, even to the most sinful, without the need for assurance of being part of the elect.
3- The Anti-Marrow Party opposed fearing its teachings could lead to antinomianism by suggesting salvation without a transformed life. They criticized the emphasis on universal grace, arguing it undermined limited atonement, and objected to the “free offer” of salvation, believing it could downplay the need for true faith, repentance, and obedience.
4- In 1720, the Church of Scotland’s General Assembly took up the matter and issued a formal condemnation of The Marrow.
5- This culminated in the reversal of the condemnation in 1723, when the General Assembly acknowledged that the core teachings of the Marrow were in line with Reformed doctrine, particularly regarding the free offer of the gospel and justification by faith alone.
William Carey
(1761–1834)
1- Shoemaker turned missionary. Carey had a vision for the church to be involved in foreign missions. His was the first real attempt at missions by the Protestant church.
2- In 1793 the Baptist Missionary Society sent Carey to India.
3- His life inspired other missionaries to take the gospel to the ends of the earth, adopting his motto: “Attempt great things for God; expect great things from God.”
George Müller
(1805–1898)
1- A Product of Pietism and known mainly for his orphanage work in Bristol England.
2- A Man of Prayer and Faith: Müller was deeply committed to the power of prayer.
3- In addition to his work with orphans, Müller was a preacher and evangelist who traveled widely, sharing the message of faith and God’s provision. He also published several books
Charles Spurgeon
(1834–1892)
1- Calvinistic Baptist preacher and avid reader of the Puritans, known fondly as “The Prince of Preachers.”
2- In 1854 he became the pastor of a large congregation in London which built the Metropolitan Tabernacle to hold the crowds that came to hear him preach.
3- Spurgeon wrote numerous books, including devotional works, commentaries, and collections of his sermons. He also founded the “Sword and the Trowel,” a monthly magazine that addressed theological and social issues,
Charles Hodge
(1797–1878)
1- The best-known proponent of the Princeton theology.
2- Hodge is remembered for his rational defense of the Reformed faith, and for his defense of creationism against naturalistic evolution.
3- Hodge authored a highly influential Systematic Theology, which became a standard reference for Reformed theology in the 19th and 20th centuries.
B.B. Warfield
(1851–1921)
1- One of the last of the great Princeton theologians, respected for his scholarly defense of Augustinian Calvinism
2- He is remembered for his intellectual defense of Biblical inerrancy in the face of Scheier-macherian and Ritschlian liberalism.
3- His book The Inspiration and Authority of the Bible is a key work that elaborates on this doctrine.
Charles Finney
(1792–1875)
1- A shoe salesman, Finny became a Presbyterian revivalist, and the father of the New School movement.
2- He employed “New measures” of pragmatic techniques such as the anxious seat, to win souls.
3- Finney’s theology was controversial, particularly his views on free will and the necessity of human effort in salvation. He emphasized that people could make an immediate decision to accept Christ and believed that human beings had the ability to choose salvation without being predetermined by God’s will, in contrast to the Calvinistic doctrine of election.
4- Finney was a leading figure in the Second Great Awakening, a religious revival that took place in the early 19th century.
D. L. Moody
(1837–1899)
1- Dispensationalist revivalist, famous for his “sinking ship” theory: the world is lost, and Christians must endeavor only to save as many souls as they can before the end.
2- Founder of Moody Bible Institute in Chicago in 1886
3- He also played a significant role in the Sunday school movement, promoting the importance of religious education for children.
4- Influence on Modern Evangelism/ missions
James Henley Thornwell
(1812–1862)
1- Passionate defender of the Westminster standards. Perhaps the greatest theologian of the Southern Church
2- His most controversial stance were his advocacy of slavery, and his urging of the secession of the South.
3- Thornwell was an influential figure in the Old School Presbyterian movement and a staunch defender of the doctrine of predestination and the authority of Scripture.
Robert Lewis Dabney
(1820–1898)
1- Prominent Southern Old School Presbyterian pastor and professor.
2- He propounded Scottish Common-Sense Realism
3- Dabney served as the chief of staff and a chaplain to General Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson during the Civil War. He was a strong supporter of the Confederacy and its cause, particularly in the defense of slavery, which has led to ongoing debates about his legacy.
John Girardeau
(1825–1898)
1- He dedicated a significant part of his life to evangelizing the poor, low-country Black population
2- Girardeau was involved in establishing educational and religious opportunities for African Americans, but this was done within the framework of his views on racial segregation and the institution of slavery.
3- Despite some positive contributions to church life for African Americans, Girardeau’s support of slavery and his defense of the Southern cause during the Civil War
