Age of Ideologies IIIAge of Ideologies III

Fundamentalism, Ecumenism, Fundamentalism, Ecumenism,

Mass Evangelism, and Mega ChurchesMass Evangelism, and Mega Churches

R. A. TorreyR. A. Torrey• Born 1856 in Hoboken New Jersey into a fairly Born 1856 in Hoboken New Jersey into a fairly

well off familywell off family• Grew up in a Christian home w/ Christian Grew up in a Christian home w/ Christian

customs, but he didn’t become a Christiancustoms, but he didn’t become a Christian• Went to Yale at 15 and became enthralled with Went to Yale at 15 and became enthralled with

all of the worldly joys that were availableall of the worldly joys that were available• Through the prayers of his mother he was savedThrough the prayers of his mother he was saved• Met D.L. Moody and was encouraged to Met D.L. Moody and was encouraged to

evangelizeevangelize• Got married then moved to Germany to study at Got married then moved to Germany to study at

the universities of Leipzig & Erlangen which the universities of Leipzig & Erlangen which taught higher criticismtaught higher criticism

R. A. TorreyR. A. Torrey• Upon returning to the States, he began to pastor Upon returning to the States, he began to pastor

a tiny church in Minneapolis, the Open Door a tiny church in Minneapolis, the Open Door ChurchChurch

• 1888 began working among the poor, at which 1888 began working among the poor, at which point he dedicated himself to “praying through”point he dedicated himself to “praying through”

• Torrey was a man of intense and fervent prayer Torrey was a man of intense and fervent prayer and all his churches were marked by constant and all his churches were marked by constant prayer meetingsprayer meetings

• 1889 took over the Chicago Evangelization 1889 took over the Chicago Evangelization Society (now Moody Bible Institute)Society (now Moody Bible Institute)

• He began teaching with great effect, using his He began teaching with great effect, using his education to expound the scriptureseducation to expound the scriptures

R. A. TorreyR. A. Torrey• 1894 began pastoring Chicago Avenue Church 1894 began pastoring Chicago Avenue Church

(now Moody Memorial Church) soon the 2,200 (now Moody Memorial Church) soon the 2,200 member auditorium was packed, he blamed it on member auditorium was packed, he blamed it on prayerprayer

• 1898 started a weekly prayer meeting to pray for 1898 started a weekly prayer meeting to pray for worldwide revival, averaging about 300 peopleworldwide revival, averaging about 300 people

• Torrey felt a burden to pray for the opportunity Torrey felt a burden to pray for the opportunity to preach worldwide, within a week he was asked to preach worldwide, within a week he was asked to preach an evangelistic series in Australiato preach an evangelistic series in Australia

• Torrey’s leave of absence became permanent as Torrey’s leave of absence became permanent as he traveled the world preaching for many years he traveled the world preaching for many years seeing huge revivals across the globeseeing huge revivals across the globe

R. A. TorreyR. A. Torrey• 1912 he began serving as the dean of BIOLA1912 he began serving as the dean of BIOLA

• He became chief editor of a set of books called He became chief editor of a set of books called The FundamentalsThe Fundamentals a large collection of articles a large collection of articles refuting liberal theologyrefuting liberal theology

• 1924-1928 moved to North Carolina and 1924-1928 moved to North Carolina and traveled around teaching bible conferences, traveled around teaching bible conferences, then he diedthen he died

• He wrote over 40 different books and everyone He wrote over 40 different books and everyone should read should read The Power of PrayerThe Power of Prayer

• He is one of my heroes yay TorreyHe is one of my heroes yay Torrey

Christian FundamentalismChristian Fundamentalism• Fundamentalism is a label used for Christians Fundamentalism is a label used for Christians

that has become abused in modern times. that has become abused in modern times.

• As a movement it is hard to define due to the As a movement it is hard to define due to the multiple groups that all have gone under the multiple groups that all have gone under the name Fundamentalistname Fundamentalist

• Originally fundamentalism arose as a reaction to Originally fundamentalism arose as a reaction to the growth of liberal theology in the Churchthe growth of liberal theology in the Church

• The name came from the 12 volume collection of The name came from the 12 volume collection of essays essays The FundamentalsThe Fundamentals which attempted to which attempted to define basic theology, and oppose higher define basic theology, and oppose higher criticismcriticism

Christian FundamentalismChristian Fundamentalism• Later in the mid 1900’s Fundamentalism became Later in the mid 1900’s Fundamentalism became

synonymous with political actions and the synonymous with political actions and the moralizing of society as exemplified by the moralizing of society as exemplified by the temperance movementtemperance movement

• Became demonized in the 1950’s on account of Became demonized in the 1950’s on account of the Scopes trial’s Creationism v. Darwin disputethe Scopes trial’s Creationism v. Darwin dispute

• Now it covers an extremely wide gamut from Now it covers an extremely wide gamut from basic evangelicals who believe the bible is basic evangelicals who believe the bible is inspired to those who believe that the world is inspired to those who believe that the world is ending tomorrow and the homosexuals are to ending tomorrow and the homosexuals are to blameblame

Scopes TrialScopes Trial• Tennessee had outlawed the teaching of EvolutionTennessee had outlawed the teaching of Evolution• ACLU had offered to defend anybody violating the law, ACLU had offered to defend anybody violating the law,

and John Scopes volunteered and John Scopes volunteered • The case became huge involving ACLU lawyer Clarence The case became huge involving ACLU lawyer Clarence

Darrow and lawyer and three time presidential Darrow and lawyer and three time presidential candidate William Jennings Bryancandidate William Jennings Bryan

• Bryan was labeled a fundamentalist Christian Bryan was labeled a fundamentalist Christian (potentially a misnomer as his theology was loose at (potentially a misnomer as his theology was loose at best) and in the course of the trial was made to look best) and in the course of the trial was made to look quite the foolquite the fool

• The scopes trial was covered nationally with a strong The scopes trial was covered nationally with a strong anti-prosecution biasanti-prosecution bias

Scopes TrialScopes Trial• The townspeople were labeled moronic yokels The townspeople were labeled moronic yokels

and Bryan as a buffoon spouting theological bilgeand Bryan as a buffoon spouting theological bilge

• The defense was placed in the exact opposite light The defense was placed in the exact opposite light being represented as both educated and eloquentbeing represented as both educated and eloquent

• The ultimate verdict in the trial was guilty The ultimate verdict in the trial was guilty (Scopes had broken the law) and the penalty was (Scopes had broken the law) and the penalty was $100 which Bryan offered to pay himself$100 which Bryan offered to pay himself

• Scopes’ trial set the scene for the modern opinion Scopes’ trial set the scene for the modern opinion of Fundamentalists, so in modern day reference of Fundamentalists, so in modern day reference Bryan is the picture of how a Christian Bryan is the picture of how a Christian Fundamentalist should be viewedFundamentalist should be viewed

Christian EcumenismChristian Ecumenism• Protestant ecumenism ostensibly began in 1910 Protestant ecumenism ostensibly began in 1910

with John Mott and the calling together of the with John Mott and the calling together of the Edinburgh Missionary ConferenceEdinburgh Missionary Conference

• Early ecumenism was focused on getting Early ecumenism was focused on getting various denominations to cooperate in missions various denominations to cooperate in missions workwork

• A major player in early 1900’s was the YMCAA major player in early 1900’s was the YMCA

• During WWII the International Missionary During WWII the International Missionary Council played a huge part, founding the Council played a huge part, founding the “Orphaned Missions Fund” to support “Orphaned Missions Fund” to support missionaries who were stranded by the warmissionaries who were stranded by the war

Christian EcumenismChristian Ecumenism• 1948 147 churches assembled to join the Faith 1948 147 churches assembled to join the Faith

and Order and Life and Work movements into and Order and Life and Work movements into the World Council of Churchesthe World Council of Churches

• 1961 the International Missionary Council 1961 the International Missionary Council joined with the World Council of Churchesjoined with the World Council of Churches

• 1971 the WCC merged with the World Council 1971 the WCC merged with the World Council of Christian Educationof Christian Education

• Currently the WCC includes more than 340 Currently the WCC includes more than 340 churches representing 550 million Christians churches representing 550 million Christians and is the foremost ecumenical group in and is the foremost ecumenical group in existenceexistence

Christian EcumenismChristian Ecumenism• Roman Catholic ecumenism started post Vatican Roman Catholic ecumenism started post Vatican

II previously the traditional statement ruled II previously the traditional statement ruled declaring: “There is no salvation outside of the declaring: “There is no salvation outside of the Catholic church”Catholic church”

• Vatican II allowed that others may be Christians, Vatican II allowed that others may be Christians, just incomplete ones, thus later Catholic just incomplete ones, thus later Catholic ecumenism is based on uniting under one ecumenism is based on uniting under one Catholic faithCatholic faith

• The RCC sends observers to all major WCC The RCC sends observers to all major WCC councils, but is not an official membercouncils, but is not an official member

• Orthodoxy is a participant in most major Orthodoxy is a participant in most major ecumenical movements, but still maintains that ecumenical movements, but still maintains that they alone have true orthodoxythey alone have true orthodoxy

Billy SundayBilly Sunday• In 1862, William Ashley Sunday was born into In 1862, William Ashley Sunday was born into

a poor family, which lived in the United States. a poor family, which lived in the United States. Eventually ending up in an orphanageEventually ending up in an orphanage

• Became a fairly renowned baseball player Became a fairly renowned baseball player joining the Chicago White Stockings in 1883joining the Chicago White Stockings in 1883

• 1887 Sunday became a Christian1887 Sunday became a Christian• 1888 He became a Presbyterian in order to 1888 He became a Presbyterian in order to

marry Helen “Nell” Thompson. marry Helen “Nell” Thompson. • 1890 quit baseball and began working at the 1890 quit baseball and began working at the

YMCAYMCA• 1893 became the advance man for another 1893 became the advance man for another

evangelist, preparing each city for his revivalsevangelist, preparing each city for his revivals

Billy SundayBilly Sunday• 1896 Sunday began preaching his own revival 1896 Sunday began preaching his own revival

sermons, using plain language and dramasermons, using plain language and drama

• Was a huge success, with many getting saved at Was a huge success, with many getting saved at each of his revival sermonseach of his revival sermons

• Began building a temporary wooden meeting Began building a temporary wooden meeting house at each place he visitedhouse at each place he visited

• 1907 became an ordained Presbyterian minister1907 became an ordained Presbyterian minister

• His stage theatrics and booming voice enabled His stage theatrics and booming voice enabled him to preach to giant crowds without him to preach to giant crowds without amplificationamplification

Billy SundayBilly Sunday• Preached not only revival but political issues as Preached not only revival but political issues as

well, he is famous for his “Booze, or, Get on the well, he is famous for his “Booze, or, Get on the Water Wagon sermon. Water Wagon sermon.

• Set the prototype for Mass Evangelism Set the prototype for Mass Evangelism involving the entire town with his revivalsinvolving the entire town with his revivals

• Reached a pinnacle of fame during WWI but Reached a pinnacle of fame during WWI but lost popularity afterwards due to disinterest lost popularity afterwards due to disinterest and the Fundamentalist-Modernist controversyand the Fundamentalist-Modernist controversy

• Continued preaching until his death in 1935Continued preaching until his death in 1935

Billy GrahamBilly Graham• Born 1918 William Franklin Graham Jr. in Born 1918 William Franklin Graham Jr. in

Charlotte, North CarolinaCharlotte, North Carolina

• Was raised as a Presbyterian, even hearing Was raised as a Presbyterian, even hearing Billy Sunday preach when he was 5, he became Billy Sunday preach when he was 5, he became a Southern Baptist after his 1934 conversiona Southern Baptist after his 1934 conversion

• Studied at the Florida Bible Institute, and later Studied at the Florida Bible Institute, and later in 1943 he graduated from Wheaton Collegein 1943 he graduated from Wheaton College

• Married Ruth Bell shortly after graduatingMarried Ruth Bell shortly after graduating

• Began working with Youth For Christ, initially Began working with Youth For Christ, initially on the radio and then through speaking tours on the radio and then through speaking tours and organizational workand organizational work

Billy GrahamBilly Graham• Began performing his own crusades many of Began performing his own crusades many of

which lasted much longer than scheduledwhich lasted much longer than scheduled

• Graham gained a push from the media, which Graham gained a push from the media, which gave him much free publicitygave him much free publicity

• Graham was accused of being an “Elmer Graham was accused of being an “Elmer Gantry” due to financial questions, he Gantry” due to financial questions, he responded by forming the BGEA – Billy responded by forming the BGEA – Billy Graham Evangelical Association which Graham Evangelical Association which provided both organization and accountabilityprovided both organization and accountability

• The BGEA set a model as well as a standard for The BGEA set a model as well as a standard for accountability in ministryaccountability in ministry

Billy GrahamBilly Graham• 1960 the BGEA began publishing Decision magazine, 1960 the BGEA began publishing Decision magazine,

other ministries included World Wide Pictures, and other ministries included World Wide Pictures, and the Hour of Decision radio programthe Hour of Decision radio program

• 1992 Graham eased his schedule due to Parkinson's1992 Graham eased his schedule due to Parkinson's• 1996 William Franklin Graham III became chairman 1996 William Franklin Graham III became chairman

of the BGEAof the BGEA• 2005 Billy Graham performed what he called his last 2005 Billy Graham performed what he called his last

crusadecrusade• Now lives in North Carolina with RuthNow lives in North Carolina with Ruth• Over the course of his career has had the ability to Over the course of his career has had the ability to

impact and deal with politicians and nations and a impact and deal with politicians and nations and a massive scale, spoke to live audiences of 250 millionmassive scale, spoke to live audiences of 250 million

Mega ChurchesMega Churches• While large churches have often existed, While large churches have often existed,

Spurgeon’s Metropolitan Tabernacle for Spurgeon’s Metropolitan Tabernacle for example, mega churches are a new movementexample, mega churches are a new movement

• Two major figures in the growth of the Mega Two major figures in the growth of the Mega Church movement were Bill Hybels and Chuck Church movement were Bill Hybels and Chuck Smith, with Willow creek and Calvary ChapelSmith, with Willow creek and Calvary Chapel

• A mega church in the U.S. is defined as any A mega church in the U.S. is defined as any church with more than 2,000 members 53% of church with more than 2,000 members 53% of mega churches have 2-3000 members. mega churches have 2-3000 members.

• Only 4% of mega churches have 10,000 or Only 4% of mega churches have 10,000 or more in attendancemore in attendance

Mega ChurchesMega Churches• Mega churches are generally suburban, and non-or at Mega churches are generally suburban, and non-or at

least semi-denominationalleast semi-denominational• The largest mega church worldwide is the Yoido Full The largest mega church worldwide is the Yoido Full

Gospel Church in Seoul, South Korea which has over Gospel Church in Seoul, South Korea which has over 800,000 members800,000 members

• Mega churches are often criticized as McChurches for Mega churches are often criticized as McChurches for their easy gospel, loose theology, seeker friendliness, their easy gospel, loose theology, seeker friendliness, and entertainment centered servicesand entertainment centered services

• They are also criticized as lacking in religion as noted They are also criticized as lacking in religion as noted in the Economist article on Megachurches in the Economist article on Megachurches ""Where in Where in God's name is the church?!?God's name is the church?!?" "

Mega ChurchesMega Churches• The proponents of mega churches laud their The proponents of mega churches laud their

increased capacity to reach people and perform increased capacity to reach people and perform Christian functionChristian function

• They generally eschew religious tradition in an They generally eschew religious tradition in an effort to be relevant to the modern personeffort to be relevant to the modern person

• Calvary Chapel is a mega church, but holds up Calvary Chapel is a mega church, but holds up well against the critiqueswell against the critiques

• I’m teaching this class in a Calvary Chapel so I’m teaching this class in a Calvary Chapel so I’m bound to be somewhat biased, but also I’m bound to be somewhat biased, but also better able to make a decision. better able to make a decision.

• Mega churches are big, so is God, Have a nice Mega churches are big, so is God, Have a nice dayday