Tim Glessner History of Christian Thought Dr. Jack Willsey Northwest Baptist Seminary Spring !!

" #inal $%amination ". Identify the various branches of the Reformation, discussing its various causes and the issues that shaped them. The &eformation was one of the most comple% mo'ements in history( )oth in its causes an* in its effects. +ny attempt to trace its causes will necessarily look at a 'ariety of influences that were acti'e in $urope an* which le* up to the &eformation( inclu*ing ,)ut not limite* toreligious( political( economic( social( technological( an* intellectual influences. +n e%amination of the religious mo'ements that procee*e* out of the &eformation is no less complicate*. This comple%ity *eri'es not merely from the num)er of mo'ements that were spawne* )y the &eformation( )ut from the task of *elineating an* *istinguishing )etween groups an* theological positions. +**itionally( the impact of the &eformation was long lasting.an* continues to )e felt in the present era. /n short( the &eformation is a prime e%ample of a comple% system. There are no well0 *efine* limits to the causes nor to the effects of the &eformation. +ny attempt to chronicle it will ine'ita)ly )e force* to generali1e an* simplify. This essay will attempt to acknowle*ge some of the more outstan*ing causes an* effects of the &eformation. By the fifteenth century( $urope was un*ergoing rapi* change in many areas. 2olitically( nation0states were esta)lishing themsel'es. The 3empire4 of Charlemagne ha* long since )een *issol'e*. /n #rance there was a powerful( centrali1e* monarchy( while in Spain( the Spaniar*s were wresting control of the /)erian 2eninsula from the 5oors an* the four Spanish king*oms of

Castile( 6eon( +ragon( an* +sturias were )eing consoli*ate*. /taly was a mish0mash of in*epen*ent city0states that were fierce ri'als. The papacy was a powerful force among these. seeking to control an* manipulate them while itself at the same time )eing controlle* an* manipulate*. /n*ee*( the Ba)ylonian Capti'ity of the 2opes in +'ignon an* the *i'ision of the papacy were powerful *emonstrations of papal 'ulnera)ility an* the newfoun* supremacy of the national states. The Swiss cantons won their free*om in "788 an* maintaine* in*epen*ence. /n Germany( 'arious princes rule* their lan*s in*epen*ently of each other. The Netherlan*s was a 'i)rant( growing power )oth with regar* to economics an* e%ploration an* tra*e in the si%teenth century. $nglan*( meanwhile( was engage* in )oth e%ternal struggles.the Hun*re* 9ears War with #rance en*e* in "7:;.an* internal strife.the War of the &oses esta)lishe* the Tu*or family on the $nglish throne. +lthough in "; "( the Spanish so'ereign( Charles <( hel* the title of $mperor( an* was the ruler of lan*s throughout Western an* Central $urope( he was )y no means the supreme ruler. There was no $mpire( or centrali1e* authority in $urope( as in the *ays of &oman might( or e'en as Charlemagne e%ercise* to a lesser e%tent. Not only was the $uropean scene marke* )y political *i'ersity( )ut economic change was also an important aspect of the situation of the late me*ie'al perio*. There was a growing mi**le class of merchants( tra*ers( an* craftsmen. Craftsmen were forming into powerful guil*s that protecte* the rights of their mem)erships. +s this class grew in si1e an* strength( it )egan to wiel* political clout as well. The feu*al system( in which powerful local lor*s 'irtually owne* the impo'erishe* serfs who worke* their lan*( )egan to weaken. Cities grew in importance throughout $urope as economic an* political centers.

$%ploration an* great tra*ers also marke* the $uropean economy. 5arco 2olo went to China in the thirteenth century. <asco *e Gama saile* aroun* +frica in "78:. /n "78 ( Colum)us *isco'ere* +merica. +ll this contri)ute* to the *ecentrali1ation of power in $urope. +nother ma=or *e'elopment was the rise of the uni'ersity an* the conse>uent intellectual *i'ersity that arose from *ifferent centers of learning. The uni'ersities )ecame the intellectual heir to monasteries? they were places where i*eas were *e'elope*( teste*( an* promulgate*. The uni'ersity curriculum was *e'elope*( )eing arts( me*icine( law( an* theology( with theology was hel* to )e the 3>ueen of the sciences4. This ga'e rise to an atmosphere in which theological *e)ate an* *isagreement were fostere*.within certain )oun*s. The &enaissance in /taly( spurre* )y the arri'al of $astern scholars after the fall of Constantinople an* the re*isco'ery of Greek literature( particularly +ristotle( )egan a form of humanism( which focuse* on the greatness of the human form( an* human achie'ement. Scholasticism( a *i'erse mo'ement that generally ele'ate* reason an* emphasi1e* the role of logic an* natural theology alongsi*e re'elation( *e'elope*. +ristotelian thinking.especially the intent to systemati1e.playe* a ma=or role in the theology of the *ay. Thomas +>uinas was the chief among theologians who were influence* )y +ristotle( )ut William +nselm an* 2eter +)elar* were also great thinkers who propagate* their own set of i*eas. William @ckham was another thinker who *efen*e* nominalism( the i*ea that a)stract concepts *o not ha'e an ontological e%istence. $rasmus was a humanist scholar in 5artin 6utherAs *ay who *e'elope* the first true critical Greek te%t of the New Testament. He was also an eminent theologian an* a 'oice for mo*erate reform in the Catholic Church. Clearly( the era lea*ing up to the &eformation was a *ynamic mi% of i*eas an* schools of thought.

The religious setting of $urope lea*ing up to the &eformation was one of consi*era)le turmoil. #rom 'ery early in church history( the struggle against corruption in the church was 'ery real. The monastic mo'ements were results of this. &eforms ha* )een calle* for almost from the time that the &oman 2ope rose to political power. Bn*er the lea*ership of #rancis of +ssisi( the #ranciscans arose as a reaction against corruption. /n the centuries )efore 6uther( John Wycliffe in $nglan* an* Jan Hus in C1echoslo'akia were ra*ical lea*ers who calle* for a return to )i)lical truth an* practices in the Church. +lthough these men were )oth anathemati1e*( nonetheless they were influential 'oices calling for a return to the authority of Scripture. $rasmus( in 6utherAs *ay( was more mo*erate in his calls for reform.)ut he was somewhat influential. 5oney an* wealth were a particular failing of the church. To raise fun*s( the Church sol* in*ulgences.payments for the forgi'eness of sins an* for the release of souls from 2urgatory. /n*ulgences( howe'er( were wi*ely recogni1e* to )e merely fun*0raising for )uil*ing pro=ects in the Church. The papacy was also weakene*. Not only ha* secular rulers asserte* their control o'er the papacy *uring the Ba)ylonian capti'ity in +'ignon( )ut within the Church there was a struggle for power among competing popes an* councils ,the Great Schism-. The pope was no longer a supreme ruler who comman*e* the o)e*ience of kings. The last influence on the $uropean climate at the time of the &eformation was technological. By far the most re'olutionary technology of the *ay was the printing press. With the *e'elopment of mo'ea)le type( )ooks an* literature coul* )e wi*ely an* rapi*ly *isseminate*. This contri)ute* greatly to the *ynamic promulgation of i*eas an* thinking throughout $urope.

By the time 6uther naile* his theses on the Witten)erg *oor in ";":( the Church in $urope was ripe for change. &ome no longer e%erte* the political influence o'er the continent to enforce *octrinal homogeneity. While acknowle*ging the wi*e 'ariety of influences on the $uropean scene( a case coul* )e ma*e that it was this political reality which pro'e* to )e the *ecisi'e factor in ena)ling the &eformation to come to fruition. This was particularly true in the German states( in the Swiss cantons( an* in $nglan*. 6uther( in Germany( was protecte* )y #re*erick of Sa%ony in Wart)urg castle. /n the in*epen*ent Swiss cantons of Curich an* Gene'a( Cwingli an* Cal'in a**e* their 'oices to the mo'ement of reform. /n $nglan*( change was enacte* strictly for political reasons? ne'ertheless there was reform( al)eit co0opte* )y Henry </// in fa'or of a church controlle* )y the $nglish monarch. #rance an* Spain( at the time of the &eformation( were controlle* )y powerful monarchs who supporte* &ome.if only for their own political purposes.an* the &eformation was ne'er strong in these areas. /taly( )ecause it was the 2opeAs own )ackyar*( was ne'er open to the &eformation( *espite its fracture* political status. Certainly( attri)uting the &eformation only to political en*s is o'erly simplistic( yet politics certainly playe* a key role. The &eformation is generally 'iewe* in the light of three main *irections of church an* theology that *e'elope* from itD the 5agisterial( &a*ical( an* Catholic &eformations. The 5agisterial an* &a*ical &eformations were firm )reaks from the &oman Catholic Church an* were in areas that were more or less politically in*epen*ent of.or oppose* to.&ome. The Catholic &eformation in'ol'e* a change of )oth *octrine an* practice within the &oman Catholic Church( an* was a response )oth to the issues within the Church that prompte* the &eformation an* to the 2rotestant &eformation. +s its name implies( the &a*ical &eformation

was a sharp )reak from &ome in *octrine an* practice. The &a*ical &eformers re=ecte* most of the soteriology an* ecclesiology of the Catholic Church an* a)an*one* Catholic practices. The mo'ement was principally locate* in an* aroun* the in*epen*ent cities of Swit1erlan*( +ustria( an* southwestern Germany. The 5agisterial &eformation foun* its home in strong monarchies oppose* to &ome ,$nglan*( the Scan*ina'ian countries( the Netherlan*s( an* northern German states- as well as in*epen*ent areas.particularly Swit1erlan*. Some of its principle characteristics were a high 'iew of Scripture an* preaching( a strong insistence on Go*As so'ereignty( an* 'iews of the $ucharist an* )aptism that remaine* similar to those of the Catholic Church. 5artin 6uther was the catalyst of the &eformation an* chief among the 5agisterial &eformers. His )reak with &ome was )ase* chiefly on the issue of soteriology. How is a sinner sa'e* an* sin forgi'enE 6utherAs interest was )oth personal an* social. +s a monk( he struggle* with his sense of guilt o'er his sin an* the reali1ation that no matter how he followe* the *ictates of his office( he coul* not )e holy as a holy Go* *eman*e*. #inally( the wor*s of 2aul in &omans sank homeD the righteous will li'e )y faith. 6uther un*erstoo* this to mean that only )y faith ,sola fide- can sin )e forgi'en an* righteousness )e e%perience* )y a )elie'er. Human works ha'e no place in this an* a )elie'er *oes not there)y become righteous( )ut is declared righteous )y Go*. Sal'ation( therefore( for 6uther was strongly monergistic ,+ugustine was a powerful influence on 6uther.an* many of the other &eformers-. @n a social le'el( a short time after 6uther arri'e* at this un*erstan*ing( the Catholic Church authori1e* the sale of in*ulgences in Germany in or*er to raise money for the refur)ishing of St. 2eterAs )asilica in &ome. 5any Germans resente* the transfer of wealth to &ome. 6uther( howe'er( was principally concerne*

with the theological fallacy an* the moral corruption of in*ulgences. He poste* his ninety0fi'e theses in protest an* was promptly thrown into a firestorm of *e)ate which culminate* in the Diet of Worms an* his e%communication. This *e)ate pro'e* critical in esta)lishing a tenet of the reformationD Sola Scriptura. 6uther challenge* his opponents to *emonstrate the 'ali*ity of their case from Scripture an* insiste* that the practice an* *octrine of the church must )e foun*e* on Scripture.or at least must not contra*ict Scripture. No *ou)t he was influence* )y his own e%perience with sal'ation( in which the tra*ition of the Church was of no 'alue to remo'e his sin( )ut rather the stu*y of the Bi)le free* him. 6uther ha* )roken from the church against his e'ery intention.he was e%communicate* .so although his ecclesiology )y necessity change*( he remaine* close to the church in much of his practice. Whereas the &oman Catholic Church emphasi1e* the continuity of tra*ition. particularly apostolic succession.as the main *efining point of the Church( 6uther ,along with all other 2rotestant &eformers- taught that a*herence to Bi)lical teaching is the primary i*entifying characteristic of the Church. Howe'er( although ultimately re=ecting fi'e of the Catholic sacraments( he an* 2hilip 5elanchthon( the theologian who was the organi1er of much of 6utheran theology( hel* to the concept of the sacraments as imparting grace( an* remaine* 'ery close to Catholic teaching in his 'iew of the $ucharist an* )aptism. /nfant )aptism remaine* as part of the 6utheran teaching an* consu)stantiation is similar to the Catholic teaching of transu)stantiation. This *octrinal acceptance of the sacraments was in large measure 'ital to the ecclesiological *e'elopment of 6utheranism as part of the 5agisterial &eformation. Blrich Cwingli in Curich was making a )reak from the Catholic Church at a)out the same time as 6uther. He agree* with 6uther in much of his theology. Howe'er( there was sharp

*isagreement )etween the two regar*ing the $ucharist. Cwingli hel* that the $ucharist was sym)olic an* *enie* )oth the real presence in the $ucharist an* its sacramental ,grace0gi'ingnature. He hel* that the $ucharist was an ordinance( a comman* to )e o)eye* as a memorial of ChristAs work. Cwingli was highly influential on John Cal'in( who *i* most of his work in Gene'a. Cal'in was a great systemati1er. Cal'in( like 6uther( *e'elope* a 'ery strong 'iew of Go*As so'ereignty( )oth regar*ing sal'ation an* the rule of the uni'erse. +fter Cal'in( his followers focuse* this emphasis on the *octrine of election( emphasi1ing *i'ine so'ereignty o'er the human will. #or Cal'in( like the 6uther( the Church was to )e a )o*y in which the sacraments were carrie* out an* the Wor* of Go* preache*. /n*ee* the preaching of the Wor* almost )ecame another sacrament in Cal'inist practices. 5uch of Cal'inAs impact on the &eformation came from this emphasis on the stu*y an* preaching of the Wor* as well as from his political rule of Gene'a as a theocratic state. 5any people from West0Central $urope( the Netherlan*s( an* Scotlan* were greatly impresse* )oth )y Cal'inAs writings an* his go'erning. The Cal'inist i*eal of a theocratic state go'erne* )y scriptural principles fit well with these in*epen*ent areas of $urope. /n fact( Cal'inAs i*eas an* teachings *ominate* this area to the e%tent that they )ecame i*entifie* as &eforme* theology. 6uther( Cwingli( an* Cal'in all ma*e significant )reaks with the Catholic Church. Howe'er( they *i* not carry some of their theological *ifferences to their logical en*. Cwingli in particular( with his 'iew of the sacraments( *i* not. The persecute* mem)ers of the &a*ical &eformation carrie* out the most ra*ical change. The &a*ical &eformers were those who 'iewe* the Catholic Church as irre*eema)ly corrupt an* who saw a nee* to re*e'elop a )i)lical *octrine of the church. The &a*ical

&eformers were centere* in the areas surroun*ing the in*epen*ent cantons of Swit1erlan*. Chief among them were the +na)aptists( as well as other in*i'i*uals an* some cultic groups. The a)sence of a strong centrali1e* authority in the region pro)a)ly contri)ute* to the emergence of the &a*ical &eformers. Howe'er( they were still harshly persecute* an* kille* for their )eliefs. The &a*ical &eformers were a *i'erse an* sometimes )i1arre group. perhaps len*ing some cre*ence to the &oman Catholic argument that without an authoritati'e interpreti'e tra*ition all sorts of strange teachings woul* arise. @ne of the agreements of the &a*icals with the 5agisterial &eformers was that the church was to )e i*entifie* with *octrinal ortho*o%y an* right practices )ase* on Scripture. +nother mark of the &a*ical &eform was a 'iew of the or*inances that was similar to that of Cwingli. /n*ee*( the +na)aptists carrie* this *octrine to its logical en* an* *i* not perform infant )aptism. Belie'erAs )aptism was the *istinct mark of the +na)aptists.earning them the *erisi'e name of 3&e0)apti1ers4. &egar*ing soteriology( the +na)aptists were similar to the 5agisterial &eformers( )ut were more open to a synergistic 'iew. &eformation in the Catholic Church was )oth a reaction against the 2rotestant &eformation an* a genuine internal reform. The Council of Trent in ";7; was in large part a reaction against the 2rotestants. /t a**e* ,or 3recogni1e*4( *epen*ing on oneAs perspecti'e- the +pocryphal writings to the Bi)le( an* re0state* the ChurchAs authority of Tra*ition. The rise of the @r*er of Jesus( the Jesuits( was an attempt to reform the Church from within an* respon* to 2rotestant gains in geographical territory. To a certain e%tent it succee*e* in re'itali1ing the moral an* missionary life of the Catholic Church. The si%teenth century )ecame a perio* of rapi* glo)al e%pansion for the Church( )oth in +sia an* in the +mericas.

The &eformation *i* not entirely lea'e a positi'e legacy. The Thirty 9ears War was a )loo*y( )rutal war )etween the 2rotestant states of Northern $urope against the Catholic States of $astern an* Southern $urope. /n large measure this pro'i*es e'i*ence of the political nature of the &eformation. Certainly a case coul* )e ma*e that there was a close relationship )etween the politics an* economy of a geographic region an* the religious system which ensue*. Howe'er( a 'iew of history through a re*empti'e lens ought to acknowle*ge the han* of Go*As 2ro'i*ence in the e'ents that set the stage for the &eformers. Certainly the &eformers re'itali1e* the Christian faith an* renew theology an* practices. 2erhaps Go* has purpose in a *i'ersity of )elief among faithful Christians which ultimately will contri)ute to His glory an* the unity of His Church.

. Discuss the significant theological issues and forms which developed from the PostReformation period to the modern era. The &eformation fore'er change* the face of Christianity. With the authority of the 2ope an* the unity of the Church shattere* there was no longer a unifying center. +s a result( a multitu*e of mo'ements an* theologies emerge* from the &eformation. No longer can Christian history consi*er the course of one mo'ement or church. &ather( there is a plethora of *i'erse mo'ements an* systems to consi*er. This essay will attempt to i*entify an* *iscuss a few of the mo'ements that ha'e ha* a significant impact on contemporary e'angelicalism an* then e%amine the *irection these are going. The theology of Cal'in was certainly one of the most influential theological mo'ements of the 5agisterial &eformation. Cal'inAs theology )ecame i*entifie* with the &eformation to the e%tent that it was know as &eforme* Theology. To this *ay many e'angelical churches point to this mo'ement an* heral* themsel'es as &eforme*. Cal'in ha* a profoun* influence in Swit1erlan*( the Netherlan*s( an* Scotlan*. Cal'inAs philosophy of a close relationship )etween Church an* State also ha* a powerful impact( from Scotlan*( to the Netherlan*s( to the 2uritans of $nglan*. John Fno%( a Scottish preacher( mo*ele* his reforms in Scotlan* after Cal'inAs Gene'a. /n the Netherlan*s( the state church was the Dutch &eforme* Church. Cal'inAs emphasis on the so'ereignty of Go* an* a monergistic 'iew of sal'ation le* to a great emphasis on the *octrine of election. +lthough there is some *ou)t that Cal'in himself hel* as strict a 'iew of election as many of his followers( his 'iews regar*ing the so'ereignty of Go* lent themsel'es to a natural progression. 5em)ers of the Cal'inist school of theology *e'elope* the 'iews of the logical or*er of Go*As plan for sal'ation( supralapsarian an*

infralapsarian. Both of these in'ol'e* an un*erstan*ing that sal'ation was only inten*e* for the elect. +t the Syno* of Dort in the Netherlan*s the well0known acronym TB6/2 was esta)lishe*( which has )ecome synonymous with Cal'inismD Total *epra'ity( Bncon*itional election( 6imite* atonement( /rresisti)le grace( an* 2erse'erance of the saints. These fi'e points ha'e shape* Christian thought an* *e)ate on sal'ation an* election for centuries( an* are still important in e'angelical circles. +gainst this( Jaco)us +rminius( a Dutch theologian( argue* for the role of human free will in sal'ation. The *e)ate )etween Cal'inists an* +rminians continues to this *ay. &eforme* theologyAs emphasis on the preaching of the Wor* le* to a stress on the importance of )i)lical e*ucation. +fter Cal'in( many &eforme* schools were starte* in Central an* Northern $urope. Theological e*ucation has )een a great heritage from Cal'inAs time onwar*. The &eforme* 5o'ement continues as one of the principle contri)utors to e'angelical thinking. /n $nglan*( the $nglish monarchs initially strictly controlle* the &eformation. Henry </// )roke with &ome an* esta)lishe* the Church of $nglan*. +fter a time a mo'ement for reform arose from *issenters who )roke from the Church of $nglan*. These people were known as 2uritans an* were the $nglish )ranch of &eforme* theology. They insiste* on strict moral purity an* ha* a high 'iew of the authority of Scripture an* the so'ereignty of Go*. They were persecute* an* e'entually many left $nglan* for greater free*om of conscience in $urope an* +merica ,although un*er Cromwell they en=oye* a )rief perio* in power in $nglan* in the se'enteenth century-. Bn*er the 2uritans( the Great +wakenings swept New $nglan* an* were a source of many of the moral un*erpinnings of the Bnite* States. Jonathan $*war*s was the

finest of 2uritan theologians. True to the 2uritan heritage an* like 6uther an* Cal'in( his theology uphel* the so'ereignty of Go*. The 2uritans( like the &eforme* mo'ement( were great thinkers with a high 'iew of Go*As so'ereignty an* of the authority of Scripture. Their influence per'a*e* New $nglan* after they settle* there. Their Cal'inist 'iew of the State Church may ha'e lai* the foun*ations for 'iewing +merica as a Chosen Nation. Two centuries after 6uther( the 6utheran church in Germany ha* )ecome a center of *ea* formalism( in which correct *ogma was the focus( with spiritual life neglecte*. /n the first part of the eighteenth century se'eral men le* a reaction against this *ea* formalism that )ecame known as 2ietism. The first lea*ers of the 2ietistic mo'ement were Johann +rn*t( 2hilipp Spener( an* +ugust Hermann #ranke"? )ut the most well known was Count 6u*wig Cin1en*orf. He was more a preacher an* lea*er than theologian( an* le* a small( well0organi1e* group known as the 5ora'ians. Cin1en*orf also ma*e trips to +merica( where he was influential on the Wesleys( John an* Charles. John Wesley ha* a profoun* impact on $nglan* an* the British Colonies in +merica. The theology of 2ietism( )ecause it was a reaction against a pro)lem in the 6utheran church ten*e* to emphasi1e the role of humans. /t.especially Wesleyan theology.was open to the role of the human will in sal'ation. 5ore than simply sal'ation( howe'er( 2ietism was focuse* on the human )eha'ior an* human e%perience of progressi'e sanctification. /n*ee*( if 6utheran theology foun* its focus on =ustification( an* &eforme* theology on grace an* election( 2ietismAs focus was on sanctification. Spiritual growth was a central concern of the 2ietists. 2ersonal Bi)le stu*y an* prayer as key elements of a personal walk with Go* was an emphasis
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&oger $. @lson( The Story of Christian Theology( ,Downers Gro'eD /nter<arsity 2ressD "888-( 7::0G".

of Cin1en*orf. /n*i'i*ualism as an element of Christianity may ha'e ha* its roots in 2ietism. Due to the fiercely in*epen*ent spirit present in the Colonial an* 2ost0/n*epen*ence Bnite* States( 2ietism e%erte* an enormous influence among +mericans. 2ersonal purity an* *epth of emotional feelings were also characteristic of 2ietism. +lthough 2ietistic theology *i* not emphasi1e philosophy an* was not as technical as &eforme* an* 2uritan theology( there was a strong emphasis on knowing the Bi)le. These traits ha'e )een characteristic of many e'angelical churches in the Bnite* States. /n*ee* many of the significant mo'ements in the Bnite* States either came out of a 2ietistic )ackgroun* or were greatly influence )y 2ietismD 5etho*ists( Baptists( Na1arenes( an* Huakers. /n many ways( 2ietism continues to shape an* influence the e'angelical mo'ement to*ay. @ne of the ongoing )alancing acts throughout Christianity has )een the attempt to relate human reason an* *i'ine re'elation. Se'eral 2ost0&eformation mo'ements ha'e ele'ate* the former to a place of superiority o'er the latter. Deism in the eighteenth century was one such mo'ement. Supernatural acts( not )eing part of normal human e%perience( were either consi*ere* irrele'ant( or =ettisone* from Deist thinking. Go* was 'iewe* as remote an* remo'e* from creation. 6i)eralism in the nineteenth an* twentieth centuries was similar to 2ietism in some ways( in that it was a reaction against col* *octrinal )elief in Germany. Schleiermacher an* +*olf 'on Harnack *esire* to counter this ten*ency in the German Church. Howe'er( it also incorporate* the rationalist *octrine of $nlightenment thinkers. The result of this was a re=ection of the supernatural( )ut( unlike Deism( a )elief in a Go* who was intimately in'ol'e* with creation( so that almost e'eryone( an* e'erything( was *i'ine. 6i)eralism resulte* in a 'ery optimistic 'iew of humanity. Neo0ortho*o%y was a re=ection of li)eralism an* its o'erly

optimistic 'iew of humanity. Farl BarthAs 'iew was that Go* is totally transcen*ent an* unknowa)le( e%cept )y re'elation in Jesus Christ. 9et the re'elation is a su)=ecti'e an* personal e%perience.neo0ortho*o%y owe* much to e%istentialism. Barth( an* his followers kept much of li)eralismAs higher critical rationalistic e'aluation of the Bi)le. +ll three of these mo'ements ultimately emphasi1e* human reason an* e%perience at the e%pense of *i'ine re'elation. The result was a Christianity that looke* 'ery *ifferent from historical ortho*o%y. + series of attempts to locate the true message( or kerygma( of Jesus le* to se'eral searches for the 3historical4 Jesus. These somehow en*e* up more as portraits of the searchers rather than accurate portrayals of Jesus. 6i)eral Christianity has pro'e* to )e something other than the real thing.an* less satisfying as well( as the *ecline in mainline protestant *enominations *emonstrates. Ne'ertheless( all this has influence* e'angelicalism profoun*ly. #un*amentalism in the Bnite* States arose in opposition to 6i)eralism aroun* the turn of the twentieth century. /t was an attempt to *efen* the 3fun*amentals4 of the Christian faith. There were many political an* theological struggles for control of *enominations an* seminaries )etween li)erals an* fun*amentalists. Bltimately( li)erals gaine* control an* fun*amentalists with*rew to form their own mo'ements an* schools. Some fun*amentalists practice* a form of separation in which they refuse* interaction with more li)eral positions than theirs. @thers( known as e'angelicals( were more open to interaction with a 'ariety of theological positions. 2ro)a)ly the most common feature to )oth fun*amentalists an* e'angelicals was a high regar* for )oth the authority an* inspiration of the Bi)le. /n keeping with the 2rotestant *octrine of sola Scriptura( the Bi)le was 'iewe* as the )ase of the Christian faith. Howe'er( such groups

otherwise are highly *i'erse an* scattere*. Descri)ing them in *etail woul* )e an enormous task. /n many respects( many of the *escen*ents of all the mo'ements are to )e foun* among e'angelicals. $'angelicalism is a *ynamic( growing mo'ement. 2erhaps one shoul* say that e'angelicals are many *ynamic( growing movements. The sur'ey of 2ost0&eformation groups *emonstrates that almost e'ery *e'elopment is a response.usually legitimate.to a pro)lem in the church of its time or place. When these mo'ements are un*ertaken with an attitu*e of su)mission to Go*As Wor* an* a re'erence for the Gospel( often they a** >ualitati'ely to the fa)ric of theology. &eforme* theology( the 2uritans( 2ietism( #un*amentalism( an* $'angelicalism ha'e all ma*e 'alua)le contri)utions to an un*erstan*ing of Go*As plan. 2erhaps li)eralism an* neo0ortho*o%y ha'e pro'i*e* some )enefit as well ,a reluctant a*mission from the 'iewpoint of this e'angelical writer-. @)ser'ers of the contemporary theological milieu will note the growing tren* of *ialogue )etween the )ranches *iscusse* here. #urthermore( non0western e'angelical 'oices are increasingly contri)uting to this tra=ectory. @ften( there is in*ee* strength in *i'ersity. /f 2ietistic groups pro'i*e a call to a li'ing relationship with Go*( &eforme* groups may push for greater clarity in e'angelical thinking a)out Go*. /f *ifferences can )e respecte* while irenic con'ersation is maintaine*.as increasingly seems to )e the case.perhaps the 'ery *i'i*e* ,or *i'erseE- state of 2ost0&eformation theology will )e a striking *emonstration that there are many mem)ers of @ne Bo*y. +s Hoheleth notes in $cclesiastesD 3Two are )etter than oneIif one falls *own( his frien* can help him up4.

$cclesiastes 7D80"!.

Bibliography Gon1Jle1( Justo 6.. The Story of Christianity. <ol. ". San #ranciscoD HarperCollins 2u)lisher( "8G7. Holy Bi)le. New /nternational <ersion. Gran* &api*sD Con*er'an Bi)le 2u)lishers( "8G;. 6atourette( Fenneth Scott. + History of Christianity. <ol. ". 2ea)o*yD 2rince 2ress( "88:. 5cGrath( +lister $.. Historical Theology. 5al*enD Blackwell 2u)lishers /nc.( "88G. @lson( &oger $.. The Story of Christian Thought. Downers Gro'eD /nter<arsity 2ress( "888.