Pietism was a German movement within Lutheranism that was led primarily by Philip Jakob Spener and August Hermann Francke. This movement continued to knock down the hierarchical system of the Roman Catholic church and give the laity (common people) more freedom to learn and worship for themselves. The Catholic church had been fighting to keep the Bible and understanding of it in the hands of the Papacy, but the church’s control could not last forever. Pietism was led by the belief that there was, “greater value in personal devotion and religious experience.” (Gonzalez, 259).
Philip Jakob Spener has been named the “Father of Pietism” as he took the concept of personal devotion and made it more of a reality for the people by founding “colleges of piety” and writing Pia Desideria. “Colleges of piety” were developed to convene Christians in an act of fellowship, and increase personal devotion. Spener challenged Christians by putting more responsibility on individual believers to be accountable for their own faith and understanding of the Bible’s teachings. By creating these groups, it would take some of the power away from church leaders/preachers as the congregation would no longer be blinded by the ignorance the papacy had tried to keep them under. This helped Spener and Francke move toward the goal of bringing the laity and clergy onto a more common ground of knowledge and power. Spener also made the notion that preachers should not speak for selfish reasons as in to demonstrate their own knowledge, “but rather to call believers to be obedient to the Word of God.” (Gonzalez 260). The pietist movement truly calls on the church leaders to humble themselves in order to better teach Christians.
Spener’s teachings in Pia Desideria give much more freedom to read and study the Bible, and in multiple social situations. Some of the ways scripture should be studied, according to Spener are: in traditional church services, gatherings of reading scripture out loud with little interpretation, study groups such as “colleges of piety,” and personal study (by yourself and with family). Spener highlights the importance of knowing Scriptures on a personal level in order to cultivate a deeper faith, as “Faith must be enkindled through the gospel.” (Spener, 31). Pia Desideria clearly states the importance of scripture to believers and says, “Scripture, without exception, should be known by the congregation if we are all to receive the necessary benefit.” (Spener, 31). It is then suggested that attending church and hearing sermon on scripture is minimal action in understanding the Word of God for yourself, therefore attending church should be accompanied by individual study as well. Spener also aims to have closer relationships between laity and clergy in the sense that laity would feel comfortable asking for clarification on passages of confusion. Encouraging more productive and trusting bonds not only helps the common people to learn more, but also lessens the power of the clergy and further moving away from the practices of the Catholic church. Spener continues to give more power to the people by stating that those who have adequate knowledge of the Bible should be allowed to give their input during services, when called to do so. This concept is modelled after the teachings of Paul in 1 Corinthians 14:26-40.
One benefit that Pia Desideria notes is the betterment of people’s’ abilities to teach the Gospel and guide their children and workers. Having a better understanding of the Bible and a deeper relationship with God will help all people live in a more godly manner. Pursuing spiritual growth aids in the “edification of all” (Spener, 32); edifying being the act of “teaching in a way that improves the mind or character” (Merriam Webster Dictionary). It is clear that the movement of Pietism was further separating Christians away from the rulings of the Roman Catholic church in hopes of instilling honorable morals into the people and a more thorough understanding of the scriptures they lived by.