Turning Point 11: The French Revolution (1789)

Brian M. SandiferBrian M. Sandifer 11

The French Revolution (1789)The French Revolution (1789)

Turning Point 11Turning Point 11Decisive Moments in the History of ChristianityDecisive Moments in the History of Christianity

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Turning PointsTurning Pointsin Christian Historyin Christian History

1.1. Fall of Jerusalem (70)Fall of Jerusalem (70)

2.2. Council of Nicaea (325)Council of Nicaea (325)

3.3. Council of Chalcedon Council of Chalcedon (451)(451)

4.4. Benedict’s Rule (530)Benedict’s Rule (530)

5.5. Coronation of Coronation of Charlemagne (800)Charlemagne (800)

6.6. Great Schism (1054)Great Schism (1054)

7.7. Diet of Worms (1521)Diet of Worms (1521)

8.8. English Act of Supremacy English Act of Supremacy (1534)(1534)

9.9. Founding of Jesuits Founding of Jesuits (1540)(1540)

10.10. Conversion of Wesleys Conversion of Wesleys (1738)(1738)

11.11. French Revolution French Revolution (1789)(1789)

12.12. Edinburgh Missionary Edinburgh Missionary Conference (1910)Conference (1910)

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The French RevolutionThe French Revolutionin Four Minutesin Four Minutes

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=IF4lPWU_qxY







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Systematic Systematic Dechristianization and Dechristianization and

Secularization of SocietySecularization of Society

Revolutionary leaders attempted to rid Revolutionary leaders attempted to rid all of society from the hand of the all of society from the hand of the churchchurch Renamed Parisian streets to eliminate Renamed Parisian streets to eliminate

references to saints and the monarchyreferences to saints and the monarchy Priests, bishops, and other religious people Priests, bishops, and other religious people

were forced to leave their postswere forced to leave their posts Cut all connections to the RC ChurchCut all connections to the RC Church Discredit all forms of religious beliefDiscredit all forms of religious belief

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The Collapse of The Collapse of ChristendomChristendom

How did this happen in a civilized “Christian” country?How did this happen in a civilized “Christian” country? Of what does this remind you from biblical history?Of what does this remind you from biblical history?

Goddess of Reason who was “worshiped” in the Notre Dame cathedral

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Preparing for RevolutionPreparing for Revolution

Tensions and StrainsTensions and Strains PoliticalPolitical: : formform (absolute monarchy) vs. (absolute monarchy) vs.

realityreality (monarchical power checked by (monarchical power checked by hereditary privileges of nobles, hereditary privileges of nobles, corporations, and the RC church)corporations, and the RC church)

IntellectualIntellectual: : traditional authoritiestraditional authorities (RC (RC church and the monarchy) vs. surging church and the monarchy) vs. surging confidence in confidence in human reason and human reason and capacitiescapacities

SocialSocial: : aristocratsaristocrats vs. rising vs. rising middle classmiddle class vs. large and poor vs. large and poor peasant sectorpeasant sector (which (which shouldered the heaviest tax burden)shouldered the heaviest tax burden)

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Violence and Rebellion Violence and Rebellion Erupting from TensionsErupting from Tensions

Bourgeoisie part of parliament Bourgeoisie part of parliament formed a new National Assemblyformed a new National Assembly

Popular uprising and storming the Popular uprising and storming the BastilleBastille

The Great FearThe Great Fear Declaration of the Rights of ManDeclaration of the Rights of Man

““The source of all sovereignty is located The source of all sovereignty is located in essence in the nation; no body, no in essence in the nation; no body, no individual can exercise authority which individual can exercise authority which does not emanate from it expressly.”does not emanate from it expressly.”

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Early Supporters of the Early Supporters of the RevolutionRevolution

Many thoughtful evangelical Christians Many thoughtful evangelical Christians supported the French revolt before events supported the French revolt before events turned horrificturned horrific Samuel Miller, leading Presbyterian minister in Samuel Miller, leading Presbyterian minister in

New York City (later Princeton seminary New York City (later Princeton seminary professor)professor)

Many sensitive Europeans sympathized with Many sensitive Europeans sympathized with the goal of society directed toward the good the goal of society directed toward the good of the whole instead of only the eliteof the whole instead of only the elite William Wordsworth, English poet living in FranceWilliam Wordsworth, English poet living in France

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Prophetic WarningsProphetic Warnings

Edmund Burke, Irish politician and Edmund Burke, Irish politician and philosopher served in Great Britain’s philosopher served in Great Britain’s House of CommonsHouse of Commons Burke is known for supporting the Burke is known for supporting the

American but opposing the French American but opposing the French RevolutionRevolution

““But what is liberty without wisdom, and But what is liberty without wisdom, and without virtue? It is the greatest of all without virtue? It is the greatest of all possible evils; for it is folly, vice, and possible evils; for it is folly, vice, and madness, without tuition or restraint.”madness, without tuition or restraint.”

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Ideology Gives Birth to Ideology Gives Birth to HorrorHorror

1789, July. Storming of the Bastille. 1789, July. Storming of the Bastille. The Great FearThe Great Fear..

1789, August. 1789, August. Declaration of RightsDeclaration of Rights.. 1790. Limitation on clergy and RC church.1790. Limitation on clergy and RC church. 1792, April. War with Austria (first of French 1792, April. War with Austria (first of French

Revolutionary Wars)Revolutionary Wars) 1792, September. Republic established, 1792, September. Republic established,

monarchy abolished.monarchy abolished. 1793, January. King Louis XVI executed. 1793, January. King Louis XVI executed.

Begin dechristianization and liberal use of Begin dechristianization and liberal use of the guillotine. the guillotine. Reign of TerrorReign of Terror..

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French GuillotineFrench Guillotine

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Ideology Gives Birth to Ideology Gives Birth to Horror (cont’d)Horror (cont’d)

1794, July. Robespierre overthrown; 1794, July. Robespierre overthrown; guillotined the next day.guillotined the next day.

1794-95. Weak government, anarchy, 1794-95. Weak government, anarchy, inflation, riots.inflation, riots.

1795-99. Directory established. Many coups 1795-99. Directory established. Many coups and coup attempts against moderatesand coup attempts against moderates

1799-1804. Consulate, with Napoleon as first 1799-1804. Consulate, with Napoleon as first consul.consul.

1804-15. First empire under Napoleon.1804-15. First empire under Napoleon. 1815. Final defeat of Napoleon and 1815. Final defeat of Napoleon and

restoration of French monarchy.restoration of French monarchy.

(see Turning Points, pg 250)(see Turning Points, pg 250)

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Emperor Napoleon of FranceEmperor Napoleon of France

Napoleon’s coronation

Napoleon: Field General

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2020thth Century Historical Century Historical AssessmentAssessment

Arnold Toynbee, British historianArnold Toynbee, British historian ““In the Revolution a sinister ancient religion In the Revolution a sinister ancient religion

which had been dormant suddenly re-erupted which had been dormant suddenly re-erupted with elemental violence. This revenant* was with elemental violence. This revenant* was the fanatical worship of collective human the fanatical worship of collective human power. The Terror was only the first of the power. The Terror was only the first of the mass-crimes that have been committed [since mass-crimes that have been committed [since the Revolution] in this evil religion’s name.”the Revolution] in this evil religion’s name.”

*Revenant: a visible ghost or animated corpse *Revenant: a visible ghost or animated corpse that was believed to return from the grave to that was believed to return from the grave to terrorize the living.terrorize the living.

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2020thth Century Century Historical Historical

Assessment (cont’d)Assessment (cont’d) Conor Cruise O’Brien, Irish diplomat Conor Cruise O’Brien, Irish diplomat

and writerand writer ““The older supernatural God had faded The older supernatural God had faded

into the distance indeed, but it was not into the distance indeed, but it was not Reason, mostly, that took His place. It Reason, mostly, that took His place. It was new terrestrial creeds with new was new terrestrial creeds with new Revelations, and exponents who were Revelations, and exponents who were often as arbitrary, as arrogant, and as often as arbitrary, as arrogant, and as fanatical as the worst of the old fanatical as the worst of the old persecuting priests and monks.”persecuting priests and monks.”

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Questions for Questions for DiscussionDiscussion

For the first time in Turning Points, a purely For the first time in Turning Points, a purely secular event is named one of the turning secular event is named one of the turning points in the history of Christianity. Why?points in the history of Christianity. Why?

What, in the words of Conor Cruise O’Brien, What, in the words of Conor Cruise O’Brien, had come to take the place of traditional had come to take the place of traditional religion in the late 18religion in the late 18thth century? century?

What secular bases of authority were What secular bases of authority were replacing Scripture, revelation, and replacing Scripture, revelation, and tradition in Western thought?tradition in Western thought?

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Where did Christ’s Where did Christ’s Kingdom go?Kingdom go?

The The seedseed of secularization (Enlightenment) of secularization (Enlightenment) European intellectuals attempted to explain all of European intellectuals attempted to explain all of

life self-referentially, leaving God out life self-referentially, leaving God out 1650-1750 were the seminal years of modern 1650-1750 were the seminal years of modern

intellectual history (Newton, Locke, Voltaire, Hume)intellectual history (Newton, Locke, Voltaire, Hume) The The growthgrowth of secularization of secularization

(Dechristianization)(Dechristianization) The French Revolution is a fitting symbol for the The French Revolution is a fitting symbol for the

beginning of systematic replacement of Christian beginning of systematic replacement of Christian reality with temporal realitiesreality with temporal realities

The center of European loyalty, preoccupation, and The center of European loyalty, preoccupation, and cultivation shifted from Christendom to the secularcultivation shifted from Christendom to the secular“The problem of secularization is not the same as the problem of

Enlightenment. Enlightenment was of the few. Secularization is of the many.” Owen Chadwick

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A Picture ofA Picture ofPost-Christian EuropePost-Christian Europe

Modern economy: urban and industrialModern economy: urban and industrial Wealth. Its production, uses, disparities Wealth. Its production, uses, disparities

in possession, applications to social in possession, applications to social problems increased beyond the watch or problems increased beyond the watch or guidance of the churches.guidance of the churches.

Warfare and nationalismWarfare and nationalism Territories were consolidated into unified Territories were consolidated into unified

nation-states by forcefully pushing the nation-states by forcefully pushing the church and Christian leaders aside.church and Christian leaders aside.

No pretenses or deferences to No pretenses or deferences to Christianity during WWI and the Russian Christianity during WWI and the Russian Revolution.Revolution.

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A Picture of Post-Christian A Picture of Post-Christian Europe (cont’d)Europe (cont’d)

Philosophy and ReasonPhilosophy and Reason Metaphysics and ethics formulated Metaphysics and ethics formulated

during Christendom were replaced by during Christendom were replaced by systems of thought declaring man as systems of thought declaring man as the measure of all things.the measure of all things.

European philosophers began to rethink European philosophers began to rethink the purpose of religion in society (Kant, the purpose of religion in society (Kant, Hegel, Mill)Hegel, Mill)

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““True Religion”True Religion”According to KantAccording to Kant

““True religion is to consist not in the True religion is to consist not in the knowing or considering of what God knowing or considering of what God does or has done for our salvation does or has done for our salvation but in what we must do to become but in what we must do to become worthy of it…and of whose necessity worthy of it…and of whose necessity every man can become wholly every man can become wholly certain without any Scriptural certain without any Scriptural learning whatever…Man himself must learning whatever…Man himself must make or have made himself into make or have made himself into whatever, in a moral sense, whether whatever, in a moral sense, whether good or evil, he is or is to become.”good or evil, he is or is to become.”

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““True Science”True Science”According to DarwinAccording to Darwin

Origin of SpeciesOrigin of Species, 1859. Although the book , 1859. Although the book left open the possibility of some kind of left open the possibility of some kind of divine origin of life, it nevertheless proposed divine origin of life, it nevertheless proposed a purely naturalistic explanation for life’s a purely naturalistic explanation for life’s beginnings.beginnings.

For Darwin’s followers (e.g. Huxley), For Darwin’s followers (e.g. Huxley), OriginOrigin became a symbol of science proceeding on became a symbol of science proceeding on its own without reference to a Creator.its own without reference to a Creator.

Gave rise to “professional” science funded Gave rise to “professional” science funded by government and academy that worked by government and academy that worked tirelessly and rapidly to show why they tirelessly and rapidly to show why they should replace amateur naturalists in should replace amateur naturalists in providing definitive explanations of nature.providing definitive explanations of nature.

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What are Kant’s (and his followers’) What are Kant’s (and his followers’) assumptions, insights, and mistakes assumptions, insights, and mistakes about true religion?about true religion?

What are Darwin’s (and his What are Darwin’s (and his followers’) assumptions, insights, and followers’) assumptions, insights, and mistakes about true science?mistakes about true science?

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True Bible StudyTrue Bible StudyAccording to “Higher According to “Higher

Critics”Critics” Critiquing the NT: the (first) Quest for the Critiquing the NT: the (first) Quest for the

“Historical” Jesus“Historical” Jesus 1835. 1835. Life of JesusLife of Jesus by David Strauss. Christ of by David Strauss. Christ of

the NT a product of projection back in time the NT a product of projection back in time from the early Christian community.from the early Christian community.

1792-1860. F.D. Baur applied Hegel’s dialectic 1792-1860. F.D. Baur applied Hegel’s dialectic philosophy of history to suggest the writings of philosophy of history to suggest the writings of Peter’s disciples (thesis) and Paul’s disciples Peter’s disciples (thesis) and Paul’s disciples (antithesis) were creatively combined by NT (antithesis) were creatively combined by NT editors into its picture of Jesus (synthesis).editors into its picture of Jesus (synthesis).

1863. 1863. Life of JesusLife of Jesus by Renan. Jesus was by Renan. Jesus was actually a simple Galilean preacher who would actually a simple Galilean preacher who would have been flabbergasted at what later have been flabbergasted at what later generations said about his supposed generations said about his supposed supernatural power and origins.supernatural power and origins.

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True Bible Study According True Bible Study According to the “Higher Critics” to the “Higher Critics”

(cont’d)(cont’d) Critiquing the OT: an evolving religionCritiquing the OT: an evolving religion

1870s. Beginning of higher critical 1870s. Beginning of higher critical consensus that the Hebraic writings were consensus that the Hebraic writings were the product of evolving Semitic the product of evolving Semitic experience rather than revelations from experience rather than revelations from GodGod

The shifting tide in biblical studiesThe shifting tide in biblical studies Despite the rise of orthodox apologists Despite the rise of orthodox apologists

defending the divine origin of Scripture, it defending the divine origin of Scripture, it became clear that the Christendom that became clear that the Christendom that once had given total (if not inattentive) once had given total (if not inattentive) loyalty to the Bible was no more.loyalty to the Bible was no more.

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True HumanityTrue HumanityAccording to the According to the

RomanticsRomantics RomanticismRomanticism

Not Romeo & Juliet, or the spirit of Valentine’s Not Romeo & Juliet, or the spirit of Valentine’s Day.Day.

The theory that humanity and the self are God-The theory that humanity and the self are God-like in heroic potential.like in heroic potential.

The sense of human boundlessnessThe sense of human boundlessness English poets and writers (Wordsworth, English poets and writers (Wordsworth,

Coleridge, Shelley, Byron, Goethe)Coleridge, Shelley, Byron, Goethe) Musicians and composers (Beethoven, Wagner)Musicians and composers (Beethoven, Wagner)

Romanticism as a broad and important Romanticism as a broad and important cultural movement in Europe was relatively cultural movement in Europe was relatively untouched by the influence of Christian untouched by the influence of Christian revelation, practice, and piety.revelation, practice, and piety.

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What are the higher critical What are the higher critical assumptions, insights, and mistakes assumptions, insights, and mistakes about true Bible study?about true Bible study?

What are the Romantic assumptions, What are the Romantic assumptions, insights, and mistakes about true insights, and mistakes about true humanity?humanity?

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Fruit of theFruit of theFrench Revolution:French Revolution:The Modern AgeThe Modern Age

Christianity not banished from Europe, but Christianity not banished from Europe, but marginalized.marginalized. Since the 4Since the 4thth century, Christianity had been the century, Christianity had been the

major factor in European culture and major factor in European culture and publicpublic life life because it won the loyalty of so many in their because it won the loyalty of so many in their privateprivate life. life.

In the 19In the 19thth century, religious influence of the century, religious influence of the churches waned, and the ranks of the faithful churches waned, and the ranks of the faithful dramatically thinned.dramatically thinned.

Christendom lingered in some formal waysChristendom lingered in some formal ways Theological faculties in German state universitiesTheological faculties in German state universities Deference to the papacy in some historically RC countriesDeference to the papacy in some historically RC countries Church-sanctioned rituals of state occasions in EnglandChurch-sanctioned rituals of state occasions in England

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Christian Responses to the Christian Responses to the “Modern” Age“Modern” Age

Modernism and the ebb of ChristendomModernism and the ebb of Christendom Matter in motion is the most basic realityMatter in motion is the most basic reality Human mind in the ultimate arbiter of truthHuman mind in the ultimate arbiter of truth Human happiness the ultimate social goodHuman happiness the ultimate social good

Challenges for Christians and the Challenges for Christians and the ChurchChurch PreservationPreservation: How can we keep the ancient : How can we keep the ancient

faith alive?faith alive? AdvanceAdvance: How can we, despite obstacles, : How can we, despite obstacles,

spread the gospel?spread the gospel?

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Christian Responses: Christian Responses: IntellectualIntellectual

Philosophy: SPhilosophy: Søøren Kierkegaardren Kierkegaard Intense, whimsical Danish writer, who Intense, whimsical Danish writer, who

gave the most rigorous intellectual gave the most rigorous intellectual critique of modernism.critique of modernism.

Christian life more important than doctrineChristian life more important than doctrine Biblical/Theological Scholarship: English Biblical/Theological Scholarship: English

speakersspeakers Cambridge Triumvirate: Westcott, Hort, and Cambridge Triumvirate: Westcott, Hort, and

Lightfoot.Lightfoot. Americans: Moses Stuart, Charles Hodge, Henry Americans: Moses Stuart, Charles Hodge, Henry

Boynton Smith, John Williamson Nevin, Alexander Boynton Smith, John Williamson Nevin, Alexander Payne.Payne.

Ably defended orthodoxy against contemporary Ably defended orthodoxy against contemporary biblical criticism.biblical criticism.

Collectively they ultimately lacked the Collectively they ultimately lacked the intellectual firepower to equal the modernists intellectual firepower to equal the modernists Comte, Darwin, Marx, Nietzsche, and Freud.Comte, Darwin, Marx, Nietzsche, and Freud.

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Christian Responses: Christian Responses: EvangelisticEvangelistic

Renewal movementsRenewal movements Scandinavia: Danish Lutheran minister Scandinavia: Danish Lutheran minister

Nikolai Grundtvig and Norwegian Nikolai Grundtvig and Norwegian layman Hans Nielsen Hauge established layman Hans Nielsen Hauge established revival networks still working today.revival networks still working today.

Germany: Johann Christoph Blumhardt Germany: Johann Christoph Blumhardt promoted evangelism, faith healing, and promoted evangelism, faith healing, and missionary labors. RCs Gossner and missionary labors. RCs Gossner and HenhHenhööfer promoted “inner Christianity” fer promoted “inner Christianity” (that landed them in the Lutheran (that landed them in the Lutheran Church!).Church!).

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Christian Responses: Christian Responses: Evangelistic (cont’d)Evangelistic (cont’d)

Renewal movementsRenewal movements Germany and USA: Redemptorists promoted Germany and USA: Redemptorists promoted

RC evangelism that led to many convertsRC evangelism that led to many converts Scotland: Brothers Robert and James Scotland: Brothers Robert and James

Haldane promoted various missionary Haldane promoted various missionary activities in Scotland (also England, France, activities in Scotland (also England, France, Switzerland, and worldwide).Switzerland, and worldwide).

France: Brothers FrFrance: Brothers Frééddééric and Adolphe ric and Adolphe Monad involved with Monad involved with Le RLe Rééveilveil that revived that revived Reformed churches in France and Reformed churches in France and Switzerland.Switzerland.

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Christian Responses: Christian Responses: Evangelistic (cont’d)Evangelistic (cont’d)

Renewal movementsRenewal movements Netherlands: Izaak da Costa wrote effective Netherlands: Izaak da Costa wrote effective

apologetics books against some of the major apologetics books against some of the major modernist books. Also wrote poetry that was modernist books. Also wrote poetry that was widely-read in his time.widely-read in his time.

Despite disagreements on doctrine and Despite disagreements on doctrine and revivalist technique, the visibility and revivalist technique, the visibility and success of 19success of 19thth century revival movements century revival movements paved the way for more celebrated paved the way for more celebrated evangelists:evangelists: Billy Sunday, Charles Spurgeon, D.L. Moody, Billy Sunday, Charles Spurgeon, D.L. Moody,

Billy GrahamBilly Graham

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Christian Responses: Christian Responses: SocialSocial

Christian political reformers of societyChristian political reformers of society Britain: Anti-slavery (William Wilberforce)Britain: Anti-slavery (William Wilberforce) Britain: Regulate child labor (Anthony Cooper)Britain: Regulate child labor (Anthony Cooper) Germany: Justice for industrial laborers Germany: Justice for industrial laborers

(Wilhelm von Ketteler)(Wilhelm von Ketteler) Non-political social reformersNon-political social reformers

Britain: Humane prisons (Elizabeth Fry)Britain: Humane prisons (Elizabeth Fry) Britain: Salvation Army addressed urban social Britain: Salvation Army addressed urban social

needs (William & Catherine Booth)needs (William & Catherine Booth) Germany: Deaconesses addressed practical Germany: Deaconesses addressed practical

social needs (Theodor & Freiderike Fliedner)social needs (Theodor & Freiderike Fliedner)

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Christian Responses: Christian Responses: LiberalLiberal

Protestant liberalizing of the Christian Protestant liberalizing of the Christian faithfaith Germany: The influential theologian Germany: The influential theologian

Friedrich Schleiermacher moved the heart Friedrich Schleiermacher moved the heart of Christianity toward human “God-of Christianity toward human “God-consciousness” (a sense of dependence).consciousness” (a sense of dependence).

Germany: The exceptional scholar Adolph Germany: The exceptional scholar Adolph von Harnack summarized the gospel as:von Harnack summarized the gospel as:

The universal fatherhood of GodThe universal fatherhood of God The universal brotherhood of manThe universal brotherhood of man The infinite value of the human soulThe infinite value of the human soul

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Christian Responses: Christian Responses: Liberal (cont’d)Liberal (cont’d)

H. Richard Niebuhr’s summary of H. Richard Niebuhr’s summary of liberal (reconceptualized) Christianityliberal (reconceptualized) Christianity ““A God without wrath brought men A God without wrath brought men

without sin into a kingdom without without sin into a kingdom without judgment through the ministrations of a judgment through the ministrations of a Christ without a cross.”Christ without a cross.”

Typical response to the end of Typical response to the end of Christendom: Fight or FlightChristendom: Fight or Flight

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Christian Responses: Christian Responses: SectarianSectarian

Many Protestants and Catholics Many Protestants and Catholics responded with “flight” amidst responded with “flight” amidst crumbling Christendomcrumbling Christendom

Diversity of sectarians regardingDiversity of sectarians regarding Emphases: Doctrinal or DevotionalEmphases: Doctrinal or Devotional The look of ideal ChristianityThe look of ideal Christianity

Unity of sectarians regarding the Unity of sectarians regarding the world’s valueworld’s value If a Christian “in flight” from modernity If a Christian “in flight” from modernity

finds genuine Christian faith, then losing finds genuine Christian faith, then losing worldly influence is no great loss.worldly influence is no great loss.

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Christian Responses: Christian Responses: Sectarian (cont’d)Sectarian (cont’d)

Many: RCs influenced by devotions Many: RCs influenced by devotions promoting RC faith apart from RC powerpromoting RC faith apart from RC power Renewed devotion to the Virgin MaryRenewed devotion to the Virgin Mary New forms of meditations on Christ’s sufferingsNew forms of meditations on Christ’s sufferings Pilgrimages to the relics of venerated saintsPilgrimages to the relics of venerated saints

More: Prots established new structures and More: Prots established new structures and movements aims at renewing faithmovements aims at renewing faith Plymouth Brethren out of AnglicanismPlymouth Brethren out of Anglicanism Establishment of prayer houses within Establishment of prayer houses within

LutheranismLutheranism Holiness movement within MethodismHoliness movement within Methodism Pentecostal movement stressing divine healing Pentecostal movement stressing divine healing

and speaking in tonguesand speaking in tongues

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Christian Responses: Christian Responses: TraditionalTraditional

Most ardent defenders of Most ardent defenders of Christendom were RCsChristendom were RCs Pope Pius IX (pope 1846-78)Pope Pius IX (pope 1846-78)

Syllabus of Errors denouncing modernismSyllabus of Errors denouncing modernism Doctrine of immaculate conception confirmed Doctrine of immaculate conception confirmed

the practice of Marian devotionthe practice of Marian devotion First Vatican CouncilFirst Vatican Council Doctrine of papal infallibility (Doctrine of papal infallibility (ex cathedraex cathedra))

RCC, although lost all traditional papal RCC, although lost all traditional papal power (except for Vatican City), power (except for Vatican City), emerged as Europe’s most conservative emerged as Europe’s most conservative institutioninstitution

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Christian Responses: Christian Responses: Traditional (cont’d)Traditional (cont’d)

Protestant responsesProtestant responses Oxford Movement in England among High Oxford Movement in England among High

Church Anglicans. Attempted to apply the Church Anglicans. Attempted to apply the lessons of the early church to current lessons of the early church to current problemsproblems

Kuyperian Calvinists in the Netherlands. Kuyperian Calvinists in the Netherlands. Attempted to match institutional Christian Attempted to match institutional Christian vigor to an intelligent exposition of vigor to an intelligent exposition of Christianity.Christianity.

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Discuss whether and how Christianity (not Discuss whether and how Christianity (not Christendom) benefited from the Christendom) benefited from the secularization of the West in the 19secularization of the West in the 19thth and and early 20early 20thth centuries. centuries.

How are contemporary Christians directly How are contemporary Christians directly impacted by the demise of Christendom impacted by the demise of Christendom that occurred in the 18that occurred in the 18thth and 19 and 19thth centuries?centuries?

What responses are needed today by the What responses are needed today by the church? How do you contribute to this church? How do you contribute to this response?response?

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Secularism Rolls OnSecularism Rolls On

The “long century” of dechristianizationThe “long century” of dechristianization Birth of secularization: French Revolution (1789)Birth of secularization: French Revolution (1789) Fruit of secularization: World War I (1914-18)Fruit of secularization: World War I (1914-18)

In the absence of an influential institutional church, In the absence of an influential institutional church, the substitutes for European Christianity combined in the substitutes for European Christianity combined in colossal inhumane disaster. And the survivors did not colossal inhumane disaster. And the survivors did not tremble before God!tremble before God!

New idols of religious secularismNew idols of religious secularism Supreme allegiance to nationSupreme allegiance to nation Implicit reliance upon technology (divorced from Implicit reliance upon technology (divorced from

biblical morality)biblical morality) Propaganda (spread with mass communication)Propaganda (spread with mass communication)

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Christendom DeadChristendom DeadBut Christianity LivesBut Christianity Lives

The gates of hell shall not prevailThe gates of hell shall not prevail Just as when Christianity waned in the Just as when Christianity waned in the

eastern Mediterranean but began to flourish eastern Mediterranean but began to flourish in Europe…in Europe…

……Christendom died in Europe but Christianity Christendom died in Europe but Christianity began to blossom well beyond Europe.began to blossom well beyond Europe.

By the end of the 19By the end of the 19thth century century USA: a modern nation where Christianity flourishedUSA: a modern nation where Christianity flourished Canada: RC & Protestant practice more vigorous than Canada: RC & Protestant practice more vigorous than

USAUSA By the start of the 20By the start of the 20thth century, worldwide century, worldwide

Christianity anticipated a state of affairs that Christianity anticipated a state of affairs that would have been unthinkable only a century would have been unthinkable only a century before.before.

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Application for Today’s Application for Today’s ChurchChurch

What changed in the economic, cultural, What changed in the economic, cultural, social, intellectual, and national life of social, intellectual, and national life of Europe as a result of Christianity being Europe as a result of Christianity being “marginalized”?“marginalized”?

What changes have we seen in the history What changes have we seen in the history of our country as a result of Christianity of our country as a result of Christianity being “marginalized”?being “marginalized”?

Where do you see in your life and sphere Where do you see in your life and sphere of influence the effects of a marginalized of influence the effects of a marginalized faith? How will you address these effects faith? How will you address these effects to the glory of God?to the glory of God?

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USA: Christian or USA: Christian or Enlightenment Roots?Enlightenment Roots?

Apotheosis (glorification to the divine) of George Washington. George Washington, father of our country, hovering on the Rainbow Bridge in the US Capital Dome, portrayed as a deified being riding a rainbow. Sitting upon the rainbow to George’s left is Lady Liberty (the Goddess of Reason).

Turning Point 11: The French Revolution (1789)

Spiritual