Missions
Course: History of Modern Missions
Section Two:
Missions in the 17th century
Lesson 2.
Lesson Title: Pietists and the beginning of Protestant Missions.
Introduction:
'Fratum unitas' and The Thirty Years War (1618-1648)
The expulsion of the Protestants
from
The Thirty Years War (1618-1648)
Emperor Ferdinand II of
Introductory
Story: The origins of the modern
missionary movement
- began with Pietism.
Pietism
developed out of the
It was a
reaction against the dead, formal Lutheranism of the day.
The zeal
for foreign missions is directly linked with the zeal for holiness and prayer.
Where
there is holiness and prayer there will be concern for missions.
·
Pietists
·
Moravian
missionaries from Herrnhut (Lesson 3)
(18th century Moravians
were the spiritual descendants of John Hus.)
·
Methodists
(Lesson 4)
Main Points:
1. German Pietism (17th century Lutheran)
Founder: Philipp Jakob Spener (1635-1705).
Philipp Jakob Spener (1635-1705), the founder of German pietism, was influenced by the writing of the Lutheran John Arndt (1555-1621) - 'True Christianity' (Wahres Christenthum).
'Many think that theology is a mere science, or rhetoric, whereas it is a living experience and practice. Everyone now endeavours to be eminent and distinguished in the world, but no one is willing to learn how to be pious.' Wahres Christenthum 21
John Arndt - 'True Christianity'
Spener
was a pastor in Strassbourg (1663) and
Spener
started home group in
Wrote
'Pious Desires' Pia Desideria
(1675)
Small
groups established for the reading of the scriptures and for helping one
another in spiritual growth. Groups known as ecclesiolζ in
ecclesia 'little churches in the church'.
Spener was opposed by Lutherans as he preached against doctrinal controversy putting emphasis on personal experience.
He
preached the need for
Real conversion (new birth),
Christian growth bearing fruits of holiness.
August
Hermann Francke (1663-1727) -
Taught at the University in
Began studying scriptures with friends.
Experienced New Birth.
Spent
time with Spener and accepted Pietism
Forced
out of University
Spener
got Francke a position at
Started an orphange that was funded by gifts
received through prayer.
2. Missions to
Danish-Halle
Born in
Studied
September 1706 arrived
Tranquebar
Baptised first converts 10 months later.
1707-8 Spent 4 months in prison for
encouraging rebellion by converting Indians.
Ziegenbalg learned
Tamil translated Tamil New Testament Published 1715.
Married 1716
Died in Tranquebar
on
Translated the New Testament and Genesis
Ruth into Tamil
Founded 2 churches and baptised 250 believers.
Hans Egede (1686
1758) - Apostle of
Norwegian Lutheran priest on
islands of Lofoten.
1721 Given permission by Frederik
IV to establish mission in
Hans Egede was disappointed
when he found there was no longer a Norse community in
Hans and Gertrud Egede
started mission among the inuit.
They studied inuit language and translated some portions of
scripture.
Founded Gotthεb (Nuuk)
1735 Gertrud Egede
wife died of smallpox.
1736 Returned to
His son Paul remained in
Hans Egede died
3. Protestant Missionary Movements and Organisations (18th century)
Pietism
German Lutheran Movement (reaction against the dead formalism of the
Moravians
exiled Bohemians in Herrnhut
1699
Society for the Propagation of Christian Knowledge (SPCK)
1701 Society for the Propogation of the Gospel
in Foreign Parts (SPG) Church of England organisation that sent out John
Wesley.
1792
Baptist Missionary Society William Carey
1795
London Missionary Society (organised by leaders from Independent, Anglican and
1799 Church Mission Society an evangelical missionary society that came out of the Clapham Sect. Founders include William Wilberforce, John Venn and Charles Simeon.
Thomas Bray (1656 1730)
1696 Appointed by Bishop of London as Commisary
to organise the Anglican Church in
1699-1700
Visited
Sought to promote missions especially to American Indians. Led to
formation of two societies.
1699 Society for the Propagation of Christian Knowledge (SPCK). Sent out David
Brainerd as a missionary to the Indians.
1701 Society for the Propogation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts (SPG) Church of England organisation that sent out John Wesley.
Number
of Protestant missionaries
1800 there were c. 200 foreign missionaries.
1900 there were c. 15000 foreign missionaries.
Summary:
1)
The origins of the modern missionary movement developed from Pietism.
2)
Pietism
was a reaction against the dead formalism of Lutheranism laying emphasis upon
the Christian life.
3)
The
Danish King Frederick IV opens the way for the
4)
The
founding of Missionary Movements opened the way for the revolution in missions
that took place in the 19th century.