Revivalism Will Hancock and Alex Story

Sources of Revivalism Revivalism was a movement born out of the Second Great Awakening. Thus, it was sparked by a lack of religious zeal. It was brought about by a lack of church membership and public religious adherence. It was also brought about by the difficulties of factory life or life on the frontier. Revivalism was at its peak in the 1820s and 30s, although the effects on America’s religious makeup were great.

Views of Revivalists Revivalism came in a number of denominations, but was particularly strong among three groups. First were the Calvinists, who held a foreboding view of Predestination. There were also more hopeful groups such as the Methodists and Free-Will Baptists.

Calvinists Calvinists took a traditional view of religion. They were often criticized for their depressing view of Predestination. One notable Calvinist revivalist was Rev. Asahel Nettleton, D.D. Calvinist congregations were notoriously bland, emotionless affairs.

Arminians These “Free-Will” Denominations were branded Arminians due to their rejection of Predestination. They believed in Self-Salvation. They were far more successful than the Calvinists, particularly in the 1830s. This was because of their hopeful message, which appealed to lower classes.

Arminian Conversion The various Arminian denominations were at a disadvantage when trying to gain converts due to their lack of well-educated preachers and missionaries. Mainly through the influence of Charles G. Finney, the Arminian churches grew. They developed calls for reform, as they were mainly made up of lower-class workers.

The Great Reformers In between these two groups were some of the greatest reformers of Revivalism. Charles G. Finney, an influential Presbyterian minister who became a revivalist leader in the 1820s and 1830s, rejected Calvinist ideals of Predestination, instead preaching that all men could achieve salvation. He commented that the Methodist preachers, who are often less educated than their Calvinist counterparts, had still gathered larger congregations due to their better message.

Successes of Arminians Another influential preacher, Jedediah Burchard, said, “They [Predestination-believers] are so wrapt up in prejudice, that they don’t care if all men go to hell, if they won’t be saved exactly according to their notions.” By the 1830s, the Arminian denominations became a more powerful force, with trained preachers and regular meeting-houses. Arminians had more success due to their more optimistic views.

Relation to Transcendentalism The largest portion of the Revivalists, the Arminians, had many things in common with the Transcendentalists. Both groups thought highly of the potential of man. While the Transcendentalists emphasized the ability of men to achieve in their lifetimes, the Arminians stressed the ability of men to save themselves, in contrast to the Calvinists. Both groups were reactions to the increasingly industrialized American society, as they both emphasized the divinity of the individual.

Relation to Jacksonian Democracy The idea of empowering the common man was shared between Jacksonian Democracy and Revivalism. Both movements were born out of the widening gap between rich and poor in the industrialized society, and both gave hope and power to the common man.

Impact on Antebellum America Revivalism significantly changed the religious landscape of Antebellum America. Increasing missionary and religious zeal led to a massive growth in the Arminian denominations. This, with the Second Great Awakening, led to the spread of Baptists and Methodists, among others, in the American South and Midwest. Revivalism represented a major break from the past in American Religion.

Impact on Modern America Many prevalent denominations today, including the Baptists, Methodists, and Presbyterians, grew due to Revivalism. Modern American Christianity has a much more hopeful outlook, compared to the Calvinist idea of Predestination. Many ideas of moral reform for the upper classes and empowerment for the lower classes were spread by the Revivalists.