| I. Elements of the Great Awakening (evangelicalism in Protestantism, quietism
in Roman Catholicism)
A. Enthusiasm--emotional manifestations(weeping, fainting, physical movements)
B. Itinerancy--visiting and preaching in various areas without invitation
C. Challenge to religious authorities and divisions within denominations
into "new light" and "old light" factions
D. Democratic movement
1) insisted that all should have the religious experience
2) Stirred impulse towards independence among colonists
3) Broke down strong denominational ties
II. Revival Leaders
A. Theodore Frelinghuysen of New Jersey--he preached that Dutch merchants
should not take their religion for granted (preserving Dutch Reformed
tradition in English colonies)
B. Gilbert Tennent--Presbyterian preacher in the middle colonies
C. Jonathan Edwards--New England preacher of great intellect and power
D. George Whitefield--English preacher who visited most of the colonies,
stirring residents with emotional religious appeals
III. Results of the Great Awakening
A. Individual revival--rejection of cold rationalism of Puritanism and
Anglicanism and more reliance on the "heart" rather than the
"head."
B. Creation of new colleges (sometimes called log colleges) to train
"new light" ministers--Princeton, Brown, Dartmouth
C. Sharpening of the differences between those who defined religion as a
rational process and those who focus on experience
D. Development of revivalism tradition in American religion. Future
outbreaks:
1) Second Great Awakening in first half of 19th century--camp meetings and
frontier revivals featuring emotional appeals and Arminian theology
2) Charles G. Finney and Dwight Moody--19th century urban revivalism with
campaigns in many cities
3) Billy Sunday, Billy Graham and mass meetings--20th century revivalism
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