Difference between revisions of "Gilbert Tennent"
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| − | '''Gilbert Tennent''' (1703-64)a Presbyterian minister Pennsylvania was a leader of the [[Second Great Awakening]] and the most uncompromising spirit of the of | + | '''Gilbert Tennent''' (1703-64) was a Presbyterian minister in Pennsylvania was a leader of the [[Second Great Awakening]] and the most uncompromising spirit of the of "New Side" or pro-revival Presbyterians. He sought a rejuvenation of lay spiritual life by emphasizing heartfelt conversion and pious action over theological formulae and ecclesiastical polity. |
| − | "New Side" or pro-revival Presbyterians. | ||
| − | + | Tennent adapted the Ulster Scottish spirituality of life to the middle colonies. His life and theology were influenced more by his Ulster Scots heritage and New England [[Puritans]] than by any other factor. Tennent's life demonstrates how the new Presbyterian denomination in North America accommodated divergent types of congregations and spirituality. Prior to 1743, Tennent represented the anti-establishment dissenter tradition of the Ulster Scots; after 1743, he worked to maintain unity among deeply divided American Presbyterians as those Ulster Scots, who hoped to become the established church of Ireland, had done. Both sides to the disputes within Presbyterianism were orthodox and pious, but in different ways. | |
| − | Tennent's sermon, "The Danger of an Unconverted Ministry" (1741) played a major role in the schism that divided the Old Side and New Side. | + | ==Education== |
| + | Tennent's sermon, "The Danger of an Unconverted Ministry" (1741) played a major role in the schism that divided the Presbyterians in America into Old Side and New Side factions. Tennent called for a means of training pastors that would guarantee their loyalty to the cause of revivals. This rousing cry implied a new form of theological education. Between 1741 and 1758, significant changes in Presbyterian theological education emerged. The energies released by the awakening led to three important developments: the rise of the log college or academy, the founding of both a revival (Princeton) and an anti-revival college (Francis Alison's Academy, which later became the College of Philadelphia), and the expansion of an apprenticeship program of reading divinity, before, after, or in place of a college education.<ref> James W. Fraser, "The Great Awakening and New Patterns of Presbyterian Theological Education." ''Journal of Presbyterian History'' 1982 60(3): 189-208. 0022-3883 </ref> | ||
| + | ==Pietism== | ||
| + | Tennent was a leader in introducing pietism that nurtured religious renewal in the 18th century. This pietism is best seen in Tennent's celebration of the Sacramental Season, with its emphasis on Christian love and fellowship. Indeed, Tennent, like other revivalists, drew inspiration from the communal emphasis that permeated the sacramental celebration. In 1757, Tennent wrote a sacramental sermon, entitled "Love to Christ." It contains those elements of pietistic communion that inspired this "Son of Thunder" to work feverishly for the reunion of the New York and Philadelphia Synods, which took place the very next year.<ref> James B. Bennett, "'Love To Christ': Gilbert Tennent, Presbyterian Reunion, and a Sacramental Sermon". ''American Presbyterians'' 1993 71(2): 77-89. 0886-5159 </ref> | ||
==Further reading== | ==Further reading== | ||
| + | * Coalter, Milton J. ''Gilbert Tennent, Son of Thunder: A Case Study of Continental Pietism's Impact on the First Great Awakening in the Middle Colonies'' (1986) [http://www.amazon.com/Gilbert-Tennent-Son-Thunder-Contributions/dp/0313255148/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1236478372&sr=8-1 excerpt and text search] | ||
| + | * Fishburn, Janet F. "Gilbert Tennent, Established 'Dissenter.'" ''Church History'' 1994 63(1): 31-49. 0009-6407 | ||
| + | *[http://www.sounddoctrine.net/Classic_Sermons/Gilbert%20Tennent/danger_of_unconverted.htm Tennent, "On the Danger of an Unconverted Ministry"] | ||
==See also== | ==See also== | ||
Revision as of 02:33, March 8, 2009
Gilbert Tennent (1703-64) was a Presbyterian minister in Pennsylvania was a leader of the Second Great Awakening and the most uncompromising spirit of the of "New Side" or pro-revival Presbyterians. He sought a rejuvenation of lay spiritual life by emphasizing heartfelt conversion and pious action over theological formulae and ecclesiastical polity.
Tennent adapted the Ulster Scottish spirituality of life to the middle colonies. His life and theology were influenced more by his Ulster Scots heritage and New England Puritans than by any other factor. Tennent's life demonstrates how the new Presbyterian denomination in North America accommodated divergent types of congregations and spirituality. Prior to 1743, Tennent represented the anti-establishment dissenter tradition of the Ulster Scots; after 1743, he worked to maintain unity among deeply divided American Presbyterians as those Ulster Scots, who hoped to become the established church of Ireland, had done. Both sides to the disputes within Presbyterianism were orthodox and pious, but in different ways.
Education
Tennent's sermon, "The Danger of an Unconverted Ministry" (1741) played a major role in the schism that divided the Presbyterians in America into Old Side and New Side factions. Tennent called for a means of training pastors that would guarantee their loyalty to the cause of revivals. This rousing cry implied a new form of theological education. Between 1741 and 1758, significant changes in Presbyterian theological education emerged. The energies released by the awakening led to three important developments: the rise of the log college or academy, the founding of both a revival (Princeton) and an anti-revival college (Francis Alison's Academy, which later became the College of Philadelphia), and the expansion of an apprenticeship program of reading divinity, before, after, or in place of a college education.[1]
Pietism
Tennent was a leader in introducing pietism that nurtured religious renewal in the 18th century. This pietism is best seen in Tennent's celebration of the Sacramental Season, with its emphasis on Christian love and fellowship. Indeed, Tennent, like other revivalists, drew inspiration from the communal emphasis that permeated the sacramental celebration. In 1757, Tennent wrote a sacramental sermon, entitled "Love to Christ." It contains those elements of pietistic communion that inspired this "Son of Thunder" to work feverishly for the reunion of the New York and Philadelphia Synods, which took place the very next year.[2]
Further reading
- Coalter, Milton J. Gilbert Tennent, Son of Thunder: A Case Study of Continental Pietism's Impact on the First Great Awakening in the Middle Colonies (1986) excerpt and text search
- Fishburn, Janet F. "Gilbert Tennent, Established 'Dissenter.'" Church History 1994 63(1): 31-49. 0009-6407
- Tennent, "On the Danger of an Unconverted Ministry"
See also
References
- ↑ James W. Fraser, "The Great Awakening and New Patterns of Presbyterian Theological Education." Journal of Presbyterian History 1982 60(3): 189-208. 0022-3883
- ↑ James B. Bennett, "'Love To Christ': Gilbert Tennent, Presbyterian Reunion, and a Sacramental Sermon". American Presbyterians 1993 71(2): 77-89. 0886-5159