If we were to combine the strengths of Pietism and Protestant Scholasticism, we would see a deep commitment to the study of the word. Protestants believed the Bible held the full authority of God, while Pietist Philipp Jakob Spener called for a “more extensive use of the Word of God among us” started his six points of reformation within the Church.1 Spener believed the Bible had to be the basis for any reform!2 Spenner also included an “authentic practice” for all believers, while Protestant leaders John and Charles Wesley taught that Christians could reach a level of Christian perfection. This wasn’t a call to complete perfection, but rather a place where we quit consciously sinning. They took this belief from Galatians 2:20, “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.”3 They believed the evil nature died when we were saved by Christ, and now all that is good lives in us.4 The combination of these two beliefs, Christian perfection with a desire for a more authentic practice, would create a world with many more authentic Christians in their practice.
We would also see a real commitment to the mission field if we were to combine these two belief systems. Spenner called for a renewal of the “spiritual priesthood” within all believers, calling all Christians to be involved in the sharing of the gospel more personally.5 The Wesley brothers built on this belief by bringing the Word to the working class, which had been largely ignored up to that point. They pushed everyone to have a heart for their brother, even if they didn’t agree on everything theologically.6 We would see a more loving church and a less argumentative church if we combined this “heart for your brother” with the pietist desire to urge restraint and charity in any and all theological debates.
Lastly, we’d see a more approachable pulpit that would lead to a more involved congregation. The Protestants did believe people could lose their salvation if they continued to sin without repenting, as Spenner believed the pulpit needed to preach more edifying messages that their people could understand. This would lead to a church full of people studying their word but also being open to the interpretations of the preacher! Ultimately, if these two belief systems were combined, we would see a more compassionate and genuine practicing church!
`1Elwell, Walter A., and Robert W. Yarbrough. 2013. Encountering the New Testament: A Historical and Theological Survey. Third Edition. Encountering Biblical Studies. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic.
2 Ibid
3Unless otherwise noted, all biblical passages referenced are in the English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2008).
4 Weaver, C. Douglas, and Rady Roldán-Figueroa, eds. 2017. Exploring Christian Heritage: A Reader in History and Theology. Second Edition. Waco, TX: Baylor University Press.
5 Elwell, Walter A., and Robert W. Yarbrough. 2013. Encountering the New Testament: A Historical and Theological Survey. Third Edition. Encountering Biblical Studies. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic.
6 Weaver, C. Douglas, and Rady Roldán-Figueroa, eds. 2017. Exploring Christian Heritage: A Reader in History and Theology. Second Edition. Waco, TX: Baylor University Press.
Create a response use at least one of the citations to back up response
The post create a response appeared first on learnedprofessors.
