Questions Flashcards
Why is this era (Post reformation) often characterized as one of growing “Orthodoxy”? What were some of the factors that contributed to this development?
After protestant denominations were established they began to focus on getting theology dialed in. Protestant Scholasticism - ardent concern for the purity of protestant doctrine - grew. Also had to combat Socianism.
What is “pietism” and how can it be viewed as a response to Lutheran orthodoxy? What are four things that the pietists emphasized? What were some of the problems that came to characterize pietism in its later developments?
Was a response to the perceived formalism and intellectualism of Lutheran Orthodoxy. | Emphasized Scripture (intensified study), Priesthood of all believers, Practical over docterinal, Love in religious controversy, and Reorganization of theological studies (deeper personal religious life). | Some problems that came from pietism were:Legalism, Sectarianism, and emotionalism.
What was the First Great Awakening and why was it significant?
It was a massive spiritual revival that swept across the Colonies the british Isles and Germany in the Mid 18th century. Was more Calvinistic left people asking, “How can I be saved”. Led primarily by outdoor preachers like Whitfield and Wesley and Supported by Edwards. It led to a diverging of ecclesiology from the old light paradigm which centered authority on religious institutions. This decoupling of theology from institutional authority may have also gave rise to the American Revolution.
What was the significance of the Second Great Awakening?
Second great awakening was marked more by the theology of Finney, who utilized methods of emotionalism and long revival sessions,and altar calls. unlike the Calvinistic theology was marked by cause and effect model: do these things and and be saved.
Who was Friedrich Schleiermacher and why is he significant for understanding Protestant theology in the 19th century?
He was a profound thinker in german Romanticist circles, wrote one of the most influential systematic theologies “The Christian Faith”. His theology centered on “absolute dependence” which became the key to all other doctrine, and he deemphasized God as a person, piety, and dogma
What is the significance of Vatican II for understanding Catholicism today? What were some of its specific developments?
(1) Liturgical Reform: reformed church’s worship, made divine revelation central, proposed ecumenically sensitive notion of tradition, urged greater biblical knowledge among the people and clergy
(2) Ecumenicity: Committed itself to repairing division in Christians, and antisemitism
(3) The Church and the Modern World: proposed specific solutions for issues relating to modernity.
(1) Affected nearly every element of RC both internally and with how it relates to outside entities. Masses are now much more accessible and in the local vernacular and there is a more autonomy in Churches
(2) Views other churhces and even outside world ecumencally
What was the Pentecostal revival and why has it been so important for understanding 20th century Christianity? How is the Pentecostal revival related to the Charismatic movement?
Began in earnest with Azusa Street, stresses personal experience “baptism of the spirit” with the HS particularly- “sign gifts” especially tongues | Charismatic movement is extension, but tended to remain in their denominations and less emphasis on tongues
What are the differences in theology and practice between the First and Second Great Awakenings? How have those two revivals influenced North American Christianity to this day?
