Second Great Awakening Vs First

The Great Awakening was a religious revival that impacted the English language colonies in America during the 1730s and 1740s. The movement came at a time when the thought of secular rationalism was beingness emphasized, and passion for religion had grown stale. Christian leaders often traveled from boondocks to boondocks, preaching about the gospel, emphasizing conservancy from sins and promoting enthusiasm for Christianity. The effect was a renewed dedication toward religion. Many historians believe the Great Enkindling had a lasting impact on various Christian denominations and American culture at big.

First Nifty Enkindling

In the 1700s, a European philosophical movement known as the Enlightenment, or the Historic period of Reason, was making its fashion beyond the Atlantic Ocean to the American colonies. Enlightenment thinkers emphasized a scientific and logical view of the world, while downplaying religion.

In many ways, religion was becoming more formal and less personal during this fourth dimension, which led to lower church attendance. Christians were feeling conceited with their methods of worship, and some were disillusioned with how wealth and rationalism were dominating culture. Many began to crave a return to religious piety.

Effectually this time, the 13 colonies were religiously divided. Most of New England belonged to congregational churches.

The Center colonies were made upwardly of Quakers, Anglicans, Lutherans, Baptists, Presbyterians, the Dutch Reformed and Congregational followers.

Southern colonies were mostly members of the Anglican Church, but there were also many Baptists, Presbyterians and Quakers.

The stage was set for a renewal of religion, and in the late 1720s, a revival began to take root equally preachers altered their messages and reemphasized concepts of Calvinism. (Calvinism is a theology that was introduced past John Calvin in the 16th century that stressed the importance of scripture, faith, predestination and the grace of God.)

Jonathan Edwards

Most historians consider Jonathan Edwards, a Northampton Anglican minister, ane of the main fathers of the Great Awakening.

Edwards' message centered on the thought that humans were sinners, God was an angry judge and individuals needed to ask for forgiveness. He besides preached justification by faith alone.

In 1741, Edwards gave an infamous and emotional sermon, entitled "Sinners in the Easily of an Angry God." News of the message spread quickly throughout the colonies.

Edwards was known for his passion and free energy. He mostly preached in his domicile parish, unlike other revival preachers who traveled throughout the colonies.

Edwards is credited for inspiring hundreds of conversions, which he documented in a book, "Narratives of Surprising Conversions."

George Whitefield

George Whitefield, a minister from Britain, had a significant impact during the Great Awakening. Whitefield toured the colonies up and down the Atlantic declension, preaching his message. In one yr, Whitefield covered v,000 miles in America and preached more than 350 times.

His mode was charismatic, theatrical and expressive. Whitefield would oftentimes shout the give-and-take of God and tremble during his sermons. People gathered by the thousands to hear him speak.

Whitefield preached to common people, slaves and Native Americans. No ane was out of reach. Fifty-fifty Benjamin Franklin, a religious skeptic, was captivated by Whitefield's sermons, and the two became friends.

Whitefield's success convinced English colonists to join local churches and reenergized a one time-waning Christian religion.

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Other Leaders

Several other pastors and Christian leaders led the charge during the Great Awakening, including David Brainard, Samuel Davies, Theodore Frelinghuysen, Gilbert Tennent and others.

Although these leaders' backgrounds differed, their letters served the same purpose: to awaken the Christian faith and return to a organized religion that was relevant to the people of the solar day.

Basic Themes of the Groovy Enkindling

The Great Awakening brought diverse philosophies, ideas and doctrines to the forefront of Christian faith.

Some of the major themes included:

All people are built-in sinners
Sin without salvation volition send a person to hell
All people tin be saved if they confess their sins to God, seek forgiveness and accept God'south grace
All people can take a direct and emotional connection with God
Faith shouldn't exist formal and institutionalized, but rather casual and personal

Old Lights vs. New Lights

Non everyone embraced the ideas of the Great Awakening. One of the leading voices of opposition was Charles Chauncy, a minister in Boston. Chauncy was especially disquisitional of Whitefield's preaching and instead supported a more traditional, formal fashion of religion.

By about 1742, debate over the Great Enkindling had split the New England clergy and many colonists into ii groups.

Preachers and followers who adopted the new ideas brought forth past the Great Awakening became known equally "new lights." Those who embraced the old-fashioned, traditional church ways were called "old lights."

2nd Great Awakening

The Great Awakening came to an end sometime during the 1740s.

In the 1790s, another religious revival, which became known equally the Second Nifty Awakening, began in New England. This movement is typically regarded as less emotionally charged than the First Nifty Awakening. Information technology led to the founding of several colleges, seminaries and mission societies.

A Third Great Enkindling was said to span from the late 1850s to the early 20th century. Some scholars, however, disagree that this movement was always a significant event.

Effects of the Swell Awakening

The Great Awakening notably contradistinct the religious climate in the American colonies. Ordinary people were encouraged to make a personal connection with God, instead of relying on a minister.

Newer denominations, such equally Methodists and Baptists, grew quickly. While the motion unified the colonies and boosted church building growth, experts say it also acquired sectionalization among those who supported it and those who rejected information technology.

Many historians claim that the Great Awakening influenced the Revolutionary War by encouraging the notions of nationalism and individual rights.

The revival also led to the institution of several renowned educational institutions, including Princeton, Rutgers, Brown and Dartmouth universities.

The Great Awakening unquestionably had a significant impact on Christianity. It reinvigorated faith in America at a time when it was steadily declining and introduced ideas that would penetrate into American culture for many years to come up.

Sources

The Smashing Awakening, UShistory.org.
The First Bang-up Awakening, National Humanities Center.
The Great Awakening Timeline, Christianity.com.
The Keen Awakening, Khan Academy.