• 
• 
• 
• 

Unlike other major movements in the Christian story, Pietism is difficult to illustrate in a sequential form. Its roots are varied and include the Reformation, Puritanism, Precicianism and Mysticism. Moreover, Pietism was not bound by a single culture, language, or political context as it spread through Europe to North America and beyond. Major Pietist thinkers and writers may be found in the Reformed, Lutheran, Catholic and Radical Reformation groups across a chronological period of a century and a half. Even these distinctions were not discreet altogether, for there were definite relationships between each of the branches of the movement. This chart suggests the chronological and relational dimensions of the major currents and branches of Pietism.

Reformed Pietism

Progenitor: Jean deTaffin (1529–1602)

Theme: “To Renew the Reformed Churches”

Major Characteristics: Stress on preaching • Emphasize pastoral work • Youth catechism Daily Christian walk • Societal reform

Major Writers:

Gottfried C. Udemans (1580–1649)

William Brakel (1635–1711)

Jean Labadie (1610–1674)

Joachim Neander William A. Saldems (1627–1694)

American Outgrowths

Michael Schlatter (1718–1790)

Samuel Guldin (1660–1745 )

Philip W. Otterbein (1726–1813)

Theodorus Frelinghuysen (1692–1747) 

Lutheran Pietism

Progenitor: Johann Arndt (1555–1621)

Theme: “To Complete the Lutheran Reformation”

Major Characteristics: Emphasize biblical theology • Importance of the individual before God • Creation of an ethical dimension • Optimistic view of history

Major Writers:

John Tarnow (1586–1629)

Auguste H. Francke (1663–1727)

Joachim Lutkemann (1608–1655)

Philip Jacob Spener (1635–1705)

Christian Scriver (1629–1693)

American Outgrowths

Henry M. Muhlenberg (1711–1787)

Daniel Pastorius (1651–1720)

Johann E. Schmidt (1746— 1812)

J.H.C. Helmuth (1745–1825) 

Moravian Pietism

Progenitors: Baroness Gersdorf (1656–1726); John Amos Comenius (1592–1670)

Theme: “To Unite All True Believers with Christ”

Major Characteristics: Vivid personal experience with Christ • Missionary emphasis • Strong Christology • Ecumenical Christianity

Major Writers:

Nicolaus von Zinzendorf (1700–1760)

August G. Spangenburg (1703–1792)

Christian David (1690–1751)

John Wesley (1703–1791)

American Outgrowths

Peter Boehler (1712–1775)

David Nitschmann (1696–1772)

David Zeisberger (1721–1808)

John Ettewein (1715–1802)

Henry Antes (1701–1755) 

Radical Pietism

Progenitor: Pierre Poiret (1646–1719)

Theme: “To Replace Ecclesiastical Forms with Genuine Personal Experience”

Major Characteristics: Stress thorough conversion • Centrality of love • Separation from the world • Disdain for human sexuality

Major Writers:

Gottfried Arnold (1666–1714)

Johann Dippel (1673–1734)

Gerhard Tersteegan (1697–1769)

Heinrich Horch (1652–1729)

Ernst von Hochenam (1670–1721)

American Outgrowths

Johannes Kelpius (1673–1709)

Conrad Beissel (1690–1768)

George Rapp ( 1757–1847)

Joseph Bimeler (1778–1853)

Mysticism

Like the medieval mystics, Pietists stressed a true union of God through spiritual exercises and the contemplative life. Unlike the earlier mystics, mystical Pietists like Richard Sibbes, Joseph Hall, and Francis Rous spoke of the saving relationship between God and the individual soul as a gracious gift. Because this relationship was an intimate one, these writers often used terms of endearment in references to God.

Puritan Piety

In the continuing reformation of the English Church. numerous Puritan writers developed Pietistic affinities. Men like William Perkins. Jeremy Taylor, Richard Baxter and Robert Bolten spoke of the need to enliven dead orthodoxy by attending to spiritual exercises and daily devotions. Others like John Bunyan wrote about the Christian life as a pilgrimage. The work of holiness and the doctrine of sanctification received new emphasis, especially as related to the ministry.

Precicianism

A pre-Pietist movement in Holland, Precicianism was a stress upon the keeping of God’s law as revealed in Scripture. Exemplary of this group was Gottfried Udemans who wrote that the “soul of faith was good works.” Other Precicianists produced manuals for family devotions and spiritual exercises.

By the Editors

Show more