Colin Gunton mentions in passing that:
Evangelicalism arises out of: (a) the Reformation and (b) Pietism.
I've heard that before but cannot remember where. The question is do we know our own history? How far are we aware of where we have come from.
I would say we are doing better at remembering one of our parents (the Reformation) and less good at remembering the other. I would even go so far as to say that Evangelicalism may be suffering for it.... but that may just be from my limited view in the corner I inhabit. But there is room for us to remember all our history much more than we do.
Once we remember we may then attempt to reflect.
Colin Gunton comments that to the extent Evangelicalism relies on the Reformation it is more objective, and on Pietism more subjective. PT Forsyth comments:
'after the Reformation period, [theologians] dwelt upon justification until they lost sight of sanctification altogether. Then the great pietistic movement had to arise in order to redress the balance.' (The Work of Christ)
...I wonder whether I should read Pia Desideria... its only 136 pages apparently.
John Piper comments that, "There is a lie today that saving faith and the fight for holiness can be seperated from one another."
ReplyDeleteI think he's right. Unsurprising I know. But honestly, I think that genuine piety needs to be reasserted. I do not think we should teach less on justification, but more on sanctification, and adoption particularly, as it relates to the Christian's view of God. Piety is an expression of our love for God, and appreciation of the worth of HIS beauty, not an attempt to promoting a 'holier than thou' club in place of the Church Catholic.
I guess I should stop commenting on your blog now. LOL
Love in Christ,
Arron
I think John Stott would want to argue that evangelicalism emerges in the early church.
ReplyDeleteHi Arron... I agree with every word (excluding your last sentence of course).
ReplyDeleteTom, Stott (and presumably you agree with him) are surely right, otherwise I wouldn't be an Evangelical. Nevertheless, our Evangelicalism is not the Evangelicalism of our parents, nor that of the Reformation, nor that of the early church. Pietism and the Reformation are close relatives, Paul, Ireaneus, Augustine, and Anselm are more distantly related. But they are all relatives.
I suppose I think that Evangelicalism is not the Evangel but a type of relationship with the Evangel. The Evangel doesn't change but Evangelicalism does.
Just my thoughts.