In every generation God has had a remnant that strived to
restore true Christianity according to the Apostolic pattern. 17th century Germany was the
home of just such a people known as the Pietist. The Pietist yearned and prayed to see the
Church restored to Her original purity and power.
The vision and dreams of these earnest Christians founds a prophetic voice in the ministry
of Philip Jacob Spener. Spener, considered the father of pietism, was a man of both vision
and practical direction. Over 300 years ago Spener had a good understanding of the
churches needs, and how to mend them. Concepts that are today considered new and
innovative in many Christian circles were laid out long ago by the old German prophet.
Philip Jacob Spener, like most 17th century pietist, was a Lutheran. Spener had become
deeply concerned that the teachings of Luther had produced a church only half reformed.
Germany was filled with professing Christians who had been instructed in the academics of
salvation by faith, but yet lacked the holy fruit of faith. Spener saw that many were void
of any trace of loving fear and devotion for the Lord Jesus. A spirit of presumption had
come into the church, causing many to take the grace of God for granted.
In 1670 Spener began to bring together small groups of believers who, like himself, were
not satisfied with a lifeless religion. They met for the purpose of Bible study, prayer
and for the watching over of one another. "Before long these meetings were being
conducted throughout the city. Persons of like interests in spiritual edification
gravitated together to form cells that promoted Christian piety and earnest
devotion." Spener did not consider these meetings as a new church but as an extension
of the Reformation within the reformation churches. They encouraged the formation of
"cell groups," that is little churches, within the Church. "Pietists in the
Netherlands were the first to use the term `huis Kerk' or house church for their renewal
meetings." In these meetings Spener found expression for the burdens of his heart.
With great zeal he preached repentance, declaring the apostasy of the Bride of Christ from
her first love. "He consistently heralded a message that emphasized the Biblical
command for holy character and holy living."
Spener was also a bold advocate of the Lutheran doctrine of the priesthood of the
believer. Pietist felt that laymen had not been given sufficient opportunities in the
Church. In the home meetings all believers were allowed to express their heart and ask
questions. Spener taught that, "believers are not passive in spiritual matters, but
have a responsibility for building one another up in the faith." As a result of
Spener's revival efforts, he was severely maligned and persecuted. He was literally driven
across Germany. As Spener fled from city to city new house churches sprang up, reviving
the dry and formal Lutheran church.
Without a doubt, Philip Jacob Spener is one of the great, though forgotten, revivalist of
the Church. Although forgotten, Spener has touched us all through those he personally
influenced. It was Spener's apprentice, Francke who inspired the famous George Muller to
provide for orphans through simple faith and prayer. He also impacted the young Count
Zinzendorf with his powerful teaching and vision of a restored Apostolic Church. Count
Zinzendorf in turn led the great Moravian Mission effort to evangelize the world. Included
in those won to Christ by the Moravians were John and Charles Wesley. Spener's ministry
has truly impacted the world we live in.
The goal of all Spener's efforts was to have the Church of his day reflect the early
Apostolic Christian community. Whom among us is willing to follow Spener's example in
seeking to restore such a Church? Are we willing to strip ourselves of our man pleasing
traditions and half reformed ways? Such a willingness will cost us much more than we
realize, yet in the end it will leave us with fewer regrets.
References Used:
Exploring Evangelism by Mendell Taylor
Accounts of Revival by John Gillies
From: A Revival Source Center