Currently I’m studying Church History at BCV as a distance subject. This afternoon i decided it was time to hit the books again and tackle lesson 4, Pietism. Pietism was basically a renewal movement that complemented the Reformation regarding doctrine. From my limited reading this afternoon i tend to think that Pietism bought faith and works together. It seems to incorporate an all-encompassing Christian worldview that one could learn from today.

A leader within the Pietistic movement was Philip Jacob Spener (1635-1705). He focused on practical devotion and Biblical preaching. In one of his writings he outlines six measures for church reform:

1. There needs to be a more serious attempt to spread the word of God. Pastors should preach from the Bible and Christians should meet in small groups to study the Bible.

2. The Lutheran doctrine of the priesthood of all believers should receive a new emphasis and the differences between laity and clergy should be minimised. Clergy in particular should recognise that their calling involves bible study, teaching, reproving and consoling and living a personal, holy life.

3. More attention should be given to the cultivation of the individual spiritual life. Love for God and man should take priority over theological disputes. Knowledge is secondary to practice.

4. Truth is not established in disputes, but through repentance and a holy life.

5. Candidates for ministry should be ‘true Christians’. Their training should include small groups for devotional life and personal bible study.

6. Sermons should not show the preacher’s erudition, but attempt to edify believers and produce the effects of faith.

It got me thinking about the church today and how many of these points above are neglected. What do you make of them? Is there something that the church today misses? Coming from a Baptist tradition i somewhat resonate with many of these, if not all.