Revivalism

Definition

Revivalism refers to a religious movement that emphasizes the revival or reawakening of personal spiritual life and commitment to faith. It is characterized by a focus on emotional and experiential aspects of religion, often with the goal of inspiring a renewed sense of devotion and zeal among believers.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Revivalism was a key feature of the Second Great Awakening, a period of intense religious fervor and spiritual renewal in the United States during the early 19th century.
2. Revivalist preachers, such as Charles Finney and Lyman Beecher, used emotive and persuasive techniques to inspire personal conversion and a deeper commitment to faith among their audiences.
3. The Second Great Awakening contributed to the rise of new Protestant denominations, such as the Mormons and the Seventh-day Adventists, as well as the growth of existing churches like the Baptists and Methodists.
4. Revivalism emphasized the importance of individual religious experience, personal conversion, and the need for a direct, emotional connection with God, in contrast to the more formal and intellectual approach of traditional Protestantism.
5. The revivalist movement also had significant social and political implications, as it inspired a range of reform efforts, including the abolitionist movement, the temperance movement, and the women's rights movement.

Review Questions

• Describe the key features and characteristics of the revivalist movement during the Second Great Awakening.
  • The revivalist movement during the Second Great Awakening was characterized by a focus on emotional and experiential aspects of religion, with an emphasis on personal conversion, a direct connection with God, and a renewed sense of spiritual zeal and devotion. Revivalist preachers used emotive and persuasive techniques to inspire their audiences, leading to the growth of new Protestant denominations and the reinvigoration of existing churches. The revivalist movement also had significant social and political implications, as it inspired a range of reform efforts, including the abolitionist movement, the temperance movement, and the women's rights movement.
• Explain how revivalism contributed to the rise of new Protestant denominations and the growth of existing churches during the Second Great Awakening.
  • The revivalist movement during the Second Great Awakening played a crucial role in the emergence of new Protestant denominations, such as the Mormons and the Seventh-day Adventists, as well as the growth of existing churches like the Baptists and Methodists. By emphasizing personal conversion, emotional religious experiences, and a direct connection with God, revivalist preachers were able to inspire a renewed sense of spiritual zeal and devotion among their audiences. This led to the formation of new religious movements that offered a more experiential and individualistic approach to faith, as well as the expansion of existing denominations that were able to tap into the revivalist fervor of the time.
• Analyze the broader social and political implications of the revivalist movement during the Second Great Awakening.
  • The revivalist movement during the Second Great Awakening had far-reaching social and political implications. Beyond the religious and denominational changes it inspired, revivalism also fueled a range of reform efforts that sought to address social and moral issues of the time. The revivalist emphasis on personal conversion and a direct connection with God led many believers to engage in social and political activism, such as the abolitionist movement to end slavery, the temperance movement to curb alcohol consumption, and the women's rights movement to expand the rights and opportunities available to women. By inspiring a sense of moral purpose and social responsibility, the revivalist movement played a significant role in shaping the broader social and political landscape of the United States during the early 19th century.

Related terms

Second Great Awakening:

A period of religious revival and reinvigoration in the United States during the early 19th century, which led to the emergence of new Protestant denominations and a greater emphasis on individual religious experience.

Evangelicalism: A branch of Protestantism that emphasizes the authority of the Bible, the importance of personal conversion, and the need to actively spread the Christian gospel through evangelism and missionary work.

Millennialism:

The belief in the imminent return of Christ and the establishment of a thousand-year reign of peace and righteousness on Earth, often associated with revivalist movements.