The Great Awakening: 18th Century America “From the Reformation to the Constitution” Bill Petro your friendly neighborhood historian 05/09/2010 www.billpetro.com/v7pc 1 Objectives By the end of this session you should be able to • Trace development of the Great Awakening • Identify the key players: 3 W’s • Outline the life of Jonathan Edwards 05/09/2010 2 American Church History Colonial National 1787 Calvinism Theocentrism 05/09/2010 Modern 1865 Arminianism Liberalism Biblistic Rationalism Subjectivism Existentialism Anthropocentrism Liberalism 3 Revivalism 1. God’s saints are revived 2. They share their faith locally 3. Missionary enterprise beyond the locale 4. Social outreach 05/09/2010 4 Colonies: 1750 05/09/2010 5 Middle Colonies Course of Awakening • 1720’s: Theodore Fruelinghausen N. New Jersey Dutch pastor – Rariton River Valley • He noticed some of his Deacons were becoming converted • New Brunswick, NJ – Presbyterians William Tennent and his Irish sons 05/09/2010 6 William Tennent • 1673-1745 • Presbyterian evangelist • Log College 05/09/2010 7 Northern Course of Awakening • 1734-37: Connecticut River Valley Congregationalists: Northampton to the Atlantic • Died down for 3 years • Enflamed under Whitefield: Boston, Salem, Portsmouth, all of New England • Leadership and writings of Jonathan Edwards 05/09/2010 8 “Evangelicalism” • Premise: conversion, “new birth” • Puritans: public profession • 1730s, 40s: “Awakenings” Colonies, England, Wales, Scotland • Mass conversions, open air preaching of the Word • Split churches: “New Lights/New Side” vs. “Old Lights/Old Side” 05/09/2010 9 Southern Course of Awakening • Presbyterians in N. Virginia • Baptists (Separate Congregationalists) in New England (Connecticut) expands to Separate Baptists in N. Carolina • From 6,000 – 20,000 in 3 years, foundation of Southern Baptists 05/09/2010 10 Baptists • In America since 17th century • Galvanized by Great Awakening 05/09/2010 11 The 3 W’s Whitefield 05/09/2010 EdWards Wesley 12 George Whitefield • 1714 - 1770 • In 1738 made 1st of 7 visits to the America • Ordained Anglican • “Great Itinerant” • Member of Wesley’s Oxford “Holy Club” • Popular as G. Washington • Huge crowds: 30,000 05/09/2010 13 Preaching in the Field • Collapsible Field pulpit 05/09/2010 14 The New Birth • John 3:1-8 • Whitefield: “How this glorious Change is wrought in the Soul cannot easily be explained." 05/09/2010 15 Ben Franklin on Whitefield • Heard Whitefield preach in Colonies & England: • Philadelphia Hall • Georgia orphanage • Size of crowds • Pleased with discourse 05/09/2010 16 John Wesley • 1703 - 1791 • “a brand plucked from the burning” 05/09/2010 17 Wesley vs. Whitefield Son of Anglican rector Son of tavern keeper Strict religious upbringing Worldly influences Conversion: Aldersgate, 35 Oxford, 21 Preaching: Intellectual, doctrinal Dramatic, emotional Arminian (semi-Augustinian) Calvinistic Exceptional organizer Exceptional preacher 05/09/2010 18 Methodism • Hierarchical • Episcopal 05/09/2010 19 Methodists: Francis Asbury • 1745-1816 • Leader in 2nd Great Awakening 05/09/2010 20 05/09/2010 21 Jonathan Edwards • 1703-1758 • Interpreter of and apologist for the Great Awakening 05/09/2010 22 First Churches, Northampton • Fifth Meeting House 05/09/2010 23 Jonathan Edwards In memory of Jonathan Edwards Minister of Northampton From Feb 15, 1727 to June 22, 1750 “The law of truth was in his mouth, and iniquity was not found in his lips: he walked with me in peace and equity, and did turn many away from iniquity” Malachi 2:6 05/09/2010 24 Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God. Enfield, July 8, 1741 05/09/2010 25 Revival of Northampton 05/09/2010 26 Jonathan Edwards, A Life 05/09/2010 27 Effects of the Great Awakening • 80% of Americans unified in common understanding of Christian life and faith • Dissent/dissenters enjoyed greater respect: Baptists, Methodists, Presbyterians • Emphasis on education: Univ. of Penn, UNC 05/09/2010 28 Effects of the Great Awakening, cont • Preaching to Indians and Slaves • Reinterpreted Covenant: man’s response • Dissolution of Theocracy: disestablishment in VA & NC, democratization • Breakdown in theological consensus: New/Old Lights 05/09/2010 29 “Denominationalism” • Primary expression of American Christianity, post 1740’s • Based, in part, on freedom to differ • Denomination vs. Sect • Inclusive vs. Exclusive • The true church cannot be identified with any single ecclesiastical structure • Seed planted by Reformers: not of bishops but of believers • Architected by Congregationalists at Westminster Assembly 05/09/2010 30 1-Word Summary • Pilgrims Separatists • Puritans Saints • Denominations Inclusive • Whitefield Dramatic • Wesley Methodism • Edwards Glory • Great Awakening Fire 05/09/2010 31
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