Pope Francis' Pietism

Check out these five principles of pietism, and consider how they have become all but normative Catholic principles at least since the Second Vatican Council.

In Pia desideria, Philipp Jakob Spener ([1635-1705] the founder of pietism) made six proposals as the best means of restoring the life of the [Lutheran] Church:

1) The earnest and thorough study of the Bible in private meetings, ecclesiolae in ecclesia ("little churches within the church")

2) The Christian priesthood being universal, the laity should share in the spiritual government of the Church

3) A knowledge of Christianity must be attended by the practice of it as its indispensable sign and supplement

4) Instead of merely didactic, and often bitter, attacks on the heterodox and unbelievers, a sympathetic and kindly treatment of them

5) A reorganization of the theological training of the universities, giving more prominence to the devotional life

6) A different style of preaching, namely, in the place of pleasing rhetoric, the implanting of Christianity in the inner or new man, the soul of which is faith, and its effects the fruits of life

This work produced a great impression throughout Germany. While large numbers of orthodox Lutheran theologians and pastors were deeply offended by Spener's book, many other pastors immediately adopted Spener's proposals.

Cf. Theodore M. Greene's Introduction to Religion Within the Limits of Reason Alone of Immanuel Kant, 1960, xii-xiv.

Cf. Also the precursor and centuries long Rhineland [Catholic] Mystic movement of Germany which has very similar tenants regarding the personal quest for holiness.

Some of the Rhineland Mystic movement's characteristics:

• A focus on laymen as well as cleric
• An emphasis on instruction and preaching
• Downplaying ascetism
• A focus on the New Testament rather than the Old Testament
• A focus on the Christ rather than the Church[citation needed]
• A use of the vernacular (German and Dutch) rather than Latin or Hebrew

Some in the movement came under criticism by the Church for heterodox or heretical opinions.

Furthermore, the Jesuits throughout Europe, beginning in the 16th century, put great emphasis on personal piety and spiritual exercises for the Catholic laity, which influence must not be ignored and with a strong sacramental emphasis upon loyalty to the Holy Father, the Pope.