Reclaiming Pietism: Retrieving an Evangelical Tradition

by Roger E. Olson, Christian T. Collins Winn

The historical movement known as Pietism emphasized the response of faith and inward transformation as crucial aspects of conversion to Christ. Unfortunately, Pietism today is often equated with a “holier-than-thou” spiritual attitude, religious legalism, or withdrawal from involvement in society.

In this book Roger Olson and Christian Collins Winn argue that classical, historical Pietism is an influential stream in evangelical Christianity and that it must be recovered as a resource for evangelical renewal. They challenge misconceptions of Pietism by describing the origins, development, and main themes of the historical movement and the spiritual-theological ethos stemming from it. The book also explores Pietism’s influence on contemporary Christian theologians and spiritual leaders such as Richard Foster and Stanley Grenz.

Watch a 2015 interview with the authors of this book

204 pages, Paperback

First published January 8, 2015

About the author

Roger E. Olson (PhD, Rice University) is professor of theology at George W. Truett Theological Seminary, Baylor University. He is a prolific author whose volumes include The Story of Christian Theology and The Mosaic of Christian Belief. He is also coauthor of 20th-Century Theology. Olsen identifies as an Arminian and a Baptist.

Reviews

[Радостин Марчев · Rating 4 out of 5]

Хубава малка, лека за четене книжка за движение, с което не съм запознат в детайли, макар със сигурност да ми е повлияло доста.
Струва ми се, че авторите "тушират" малко повече сепаратистките пиетистки тенденции, но като цяло са свършили чудесна работа. Със сигурност пиетизма е прекалено демонизиран - често незаслужено. Личният ми опит показва, че доста голяма част от критиката циркулираща конкретно в българското обществено пространство (особено от среди, и хора, които никога не са имали пряк досег с пиетизма) издава огромно невежество, нерядко обаче гарнирана със съответния инат и упорство.
Последната глава разглеждаща влиянието на пиетизма върху четирима крупни съвременни богослови (които не определят себе си акто пиетисти) - Ричард Фостър, Стенли Гренц, Юрген Молтмън и Доналд Блош - е много добра. Същото важи и за заключението разглеждащо връзката и акцентите между доктрината и опитността в християнския живот.
За България с нейното методистко наследство и преобладаващо петдесетен евангелски етнос книгата има какво да каже.
Определено препоръчвам.

[Alex Strohschein · Rating 4 out of 5]

Roger E. Olson and Christian T. Collins Winn have provided us with a concise, accessible account of Pietism's history (both in Europe and North America) and its essential ethos. The authors provide brief biographical sketches of key figures connected to and within the movement, such as Johann Arndt, Philipp Jakob Spener, August Hermann Francke and Count Zinzendorf. They correct common misconceptions about Pietism and state that while Pietism had it's radicals, these were the deviations from the norm, not characteristic Pietists. The authors' chief contention is that while much of modern evangelicalism has neglected Pietism and its more simple "heart religion" in favour of Protestant scholasticism and orthodoxy, modern evangelicalism is much indebted to the Pietist legacy, witnessed in Pietism's emphasis on "love of neighbour."

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you’ve ever been part of a “small group” where Christians meet together to discuss scripture and pray together, you have been influenced by the Pietist movement.

This is a solid history of Pietism that examines both the roots of the movement and how it continues to be impactful in the church today. The authors believe Pietism often gets a bad reputation as some sort of unorthodox or heretical movement so that even those who stand in the pietist tradition may not realize the influences of Pietism in their life and work.

Pietism developed as a response to stale Lutheran Orthodoxy in the 1600s. There was so much emphasis on doctrine and little emphasis on a changed life. Philip Spener and August Francke were the first Pietists, though Olson and Winn mention precursors. Though Luther and his successors spoke of the ‘priesthood of all believers’ this idea truly took hold with Spener and Francke as they encouraged Christians to meet together in small groups for prayer and Bible study. From these two the movement continued through Zinzendorf, influencing the Wesleys and many others.

Overall, this book is a good resource for anyone interested in church history. I’ve spent a lot of time recently reading spiritual and mystical writers in the early and medieval church. Its helpful to remember that such spiritual depth is not totally lacking in the Protestant tradition, for we see it in the Pietists. I believe the authors are correct that the Pietists get a bad rap, if they are even mentioned at all. These were influential people who contributed to the shape Christianity has taken in America (for better or worse).

I cannot imagine many people who are not interested in history or theology reading this one, but it is spiritually uplifting. I highlighted tons of quotes to return to.

Also, unlike Mark Galli in his book on Karl Barth, Olson and Winn take the time to define what they mean by “evangelical.” I began reading this book right after that one and was happy to see them recognize how difficult and challenging that word is.

[Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

I came to this book having done little study formally of pietism. Outside of the occasional quick, mostly derisive, reference, I would continue on my way. Often, theologians do more to try to talk about how their *not* pietists than actual discuss what pietism is.

Roger Olson, America's favorite belligerent anti-Calvinist warhawk, has given us a delightful little introduction to a movement often maligned, and seldom understood. The book is a handy tool to understand Pietists major figures, historiographical issues, and why more people ought to recognize the palpable influence on American evangelicalism. I think that Olson's central thesis is basically correct: unless you understand the pietistic roots in the lives of men like Whitefield and the Wesley's, you will have trouble understanding concepts like the New Birth, or importance of affection.

Though feeling a little cynical at times, this is a nice, short introduction to Pietism. For anyone curious about the history of evangelicalism, I would heartily recommend.

[Rob · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a book I wanted to like more than I did. Roger Olson and Christian Collins Winn accomplish their task, introducing a larger audience to the Pietism that shaped American Christianity, yet the conversation is shallow and moves the story backwards to a more acceptable version of Pietism championed in the early twentieth century. I agree that radicalism is not the goal, but to exclude the radicalism that not only engaged but shaped the early Pietist renewals is to ignore some of the vital aspects of this transformational movement that reshaped 18th century Christianity both on the continent and in the United States. The Schwenkfelders, Jacob Lischy, and the Ephatra community were important in the shape of the American form of the German renewal movement.

[Kenneth Ogden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent resource

Very insightful history that aids in understanding the people and doctrine of those who put forward the ideas of pietism

[Brenna Stross · Rating 2 out of 5]

could have been an email. sorry guys.