Echoes of the Apostolic Age
A scholarly exploration into Restorationism, the enduring pursuit of returning Christianity to its perceived pristine, apostolic origins.
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Defining Restorationism
Core Tenet
Restorationism, also known as Christian primitivism, is a religious perspective asserting that the original beliefs and practices of Jesus' followers were either lost or corrupted after his death. Consequently, it advocates for a return to these perceived original forms. This viewpoint often seeks to rectify perceived deficiencies in other Christian branches by using the primitive church as a normative model.[1][2][3]
Response to Division
The impetus behind many restoration movements is a reaction against denominationalism. Proponents argue that a return to the essential and universal features of the original Christian religion can dismantle the walls of separation between different Christian groups.[4] Different movements have emphasized various aspects for restoration, including church structure and practice, the ethical life of the church, or the direct experience of the Holy Spirit.[1]
Historical Context
The concept of restoring an earlier, purer form of Christianity has appeared at various points in church history, from early writings to medieval movements and significantly during the Protestant Reformation and subsequent revivals. The term "Restorationism" is also used more narrowly to describe specific movements that emerged during the Great Awakenings, such as the Christadelphians, Latter Day Saints, and Jehovah's Witnesses, all of whom believe historic Christianity experienced a "Great Apostasy" and required restoration.[5][6]
Restorationist Models
Ecclesiastical Primitivism
This model focuses on restoring the specific organizational structures and practices of the early church. Figures like Huldrych Zwingli, John Calvin, the Puritans, and Alexander Campbell are associated with this approach, emphasizing adherence to biblical precedents for church governance and worship.[1]
Ethical Primitivism
Ethical primitivism centers on reviving the moral standards and the commitment to discipleship observed in the early Christian community. Movements like the Anabaptists, Barton W. Stone's followers, and the Holiness Movement exemplify this focus on restoring ethical norms and biblical lifestyles.[1]
Experiential Primitivism
This perspective emphasizes the restoration of direct communication with God and the experiential manifestations of the Holy Spirit, as believed to have been present in the early church. The Latter Day Saint movement and Pentecostalism are key examples, seeking to recover the spiritual dynamism of the apostolic era.[1]
Gospel Primitivism
Gospel primitivism, exemplified by Martin Luther, prioritizes the restoration of the core gospel message, which proponents felt had been obscured by later traditions. While Luther sought to purify the church's doctrine, he was cautious about restoring specific forms, viewing such efforts as potentially leading to works righteousness.[1]
Historical Trajectory
Medieval Roots
Restorationist sentiments appeared in various medieval movements seeking church renewal, such as the Lollards, the Brethren of the Common Life, and the Hussites. These movements often reacted against perceived corruption within the papacy and the established church, prefiguring later reform efforts.[30]
Reformation Era
The Protestant Reformation itself was largely driven by a desire to restore Christianity to its biblical foundations. While Luther focused on restoring the gospel, figures like Zwingli and Calvin emphasized restoring biblical patterns for church structure and practice. The English Caroline Divines also appealed to the Primitive Church as a basis for reform within the established church.[37][29]
American Awakenings
The First and Second Great Awakenings in America saw a surge in restorationist ideals. Movements like Methodism, Separate Baptists, and notably the Stone-Campbell Movement sought to recapture the spirit and structure of the early church. This era also saw the rise of groups like the Latter Day Saints, influenced by the pervasive sentiment for religious restoration in a new nation.[29]
Notable Restorationist Groups
Stone-Campbell Movement
Originating in the early 19th century, this movement sought to restore the New Testament church, emphasizing biblical authority and Christian unity. Key figures included Barton W. Stone and Alexander Campbell. It led to the formation of modern Churches of Christ, Christian churches, and the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).[4][53]
Latter Day Saints
Founded by Joseph Smith, this movement believes in the restoration of Christ's church and priesthood through ongoing revelation. They emphasize a return to primitive apostolic organization and doctrine, viewing historical Christianity as having undergone a Great Apostasy.[70]
Bible Students & Jehovah's Witnesses
Emerging from the teachings of Charles Taze Russell, the Bible Student movement and its successor, Jehovah's Witnesses, sought to restore what they considered true Christianity based on a literal interpretation of the Bible, rejecting doctrines like the Trinity and the immortality of the soul.[78]
Adventism
Adventist movements, including Seventh-day Adventists and Advent Christian Church, arose from the Millerite movement. They emphasize eschatological teachings and a return to uncompromising biblicism, believing they are preparing for Christ's imminent return.[74]
Pentecostalism
Pentecostalism began as a restoration movement focused on recovering the "experiential" aspects of the early church, particularly the gifts and power of the Holy Spirit. Oneness Pentecostals, in particular, often identify their movement as a restoration of the Apostolic Church.[93]
Key Theological Themes
Rejection of Denominationalism
A central tenet is the opposition to the fragmentation of Christianity into numerous denominations. Restorationists typically seek a unified church based on the New Testament model, believing that denominational structures are human inventions that obscure the true faith.[4]
Primacy of Scripture
While interpretations vary, there is a strong emphasis on the Bible as the ultimate authority. Some groups adhere strictly to "sola scriptura" (scripture alone), while others, like the Caroline Divines and Methodists, give significant weight to the consensus of the early Church Fathers (Prima Scriptura) in interpreting scripture.[29]
Emphasis on the Apostolic Age
The period of the Apostles and the earliest Christians is often viewed as the ideal standard. This includes beliefs about church governance, worship practices, spiritual gifts, and ethical conduct, which are seen as having been lost or corrupted over centuries.[1]
Millennial Expectations
Many restorationist movements hold specific views on eschatology, often believing that their efforts to restore the true church are a necessary precursor to or part of ushering in a millennial age or the Second Coming of Christ.[29]
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References
References
- E.g., clean and unclean animals, Gen. 7:2.
- Matt. 5รขยย7
- Encyclopedia of new religions: new religious movements, sects and Christopher Hugh Partridge - 2004 "In June 1848, he returned to England and was well received in Nottingham and had further speaking engagements in Derby"
- The British Millennial Harbinger and Family Magazine ed. James Wallis July 1848 cover, October 1848 in full
- Joseph Smith - History 1:19
- George R. Knight, "A Search for Identity: The Development of Seventh-Day Adventist Beliefs," Review and Herald Pub Assoc., 2000
- Edith Waldvogel Blumhofer, Restoring the Faith: The Assemblies of God, Pentecostalism, and American Culture, University of Illinois Press, US, 1993, p. 13
- Allan Anderson An Introduction to Pentecostalism: Global Charismatic Christianity (Cambridge: CUP, 2004) 104
- Allan Anderson An Introduction to Pentecostalism: Global Charismatic Christianity (Cambridge: CUP, 2004) 104
- Owen J. Flanagan. The Really Hard Problem: Meaning in a Material World. Cambridge: MIT Press, 2007. p.36
- Douglas J. Del Tondo. Jesus' Words Only. San Diego: Infinity Publishing, 2006. p.19
- Owen J. Flanagan. The Really Hard Problem: Meaning in a Material World. Cambridge: MIT Press, 2007. p.263
- Woodrow Wilson Whidden, Jerry Moon, John W. Reeve, The Trinity: Understanding God's Love, His Plan of Salvation, and Christian Relationships, Review & Herald Publishing Association, 2002, p. 164.
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