Methodists and Baptists Upstage the Moravians

From time to time the Methodists and the Baptists upstaged the Moravian order of things. Consider this note from the Friedland Diary - 1856:

"The Sunday School, nine children. The children are very ignorant and generally very dull. Preached from John 1:29. The meeting was a small attendance. I have since learned that at this season of the year the Methodists have their camp meetings, and when these occur or the Baptists practice immersion there is a general gathering to these places from curiosity, religious motives, and wickedness."

Controversy - Methodist verses Moravian

In 1741 at Gray’s Inn Walks in London controversy erupted.

A dispute was debated by John Wesley representing the Methodists and Count Zinzendorf of the Moravian point-of-view. The argument was carried out in Latin.  

John Wesley claimed that the Moravians overly emphasized Luther’s justification by faith and neglected real holiness, not teaching correctly the goal of the Christian life which was “Christian perfection.” 

Zinzendorf disagreed: “I know of no such thing as inherent perfection in this life. This is the error of errors. I pursue it everywhere with fire and sword! I stamp it under foot! I give it over to destruction! Christ is our only perfection. Whoever affirms inherent perfection denies Christ.” 

In reply to Wesley’s argument that it was “Christ’s own Spirit that works in true Christians to achieve their perfection,” the Count replied: “By no means! All Christian perfection is simply faith in Christ’s blood. Christian perfection is entirely imputed, not inherent. We are perfect in Christ; never in ourselves.” 

Image - What can contemporary Christians learn?

Photo Credit: Lobster Pot Photography

"Under Zinzendorf, the Moravians became an intense but highly mobile missionary order. The rapid deployment of many young missionaries around the world in the space of a few short years, is one of the most remarkable Moravian achievements.

The outreach was made possible by a relative lack of concern with training, finances, or structure. A Moravian missionary received from the church, enough money to get to the port. The missionary was then responsible to work for passage across the ocean. On the mission field, the missionary took up whatever occupation would provide the bare amount of food and clothing.

The Moravians had an impact on the existing church as they brought renewal to thousands of formerly nominal Christians throughout Europe. This was achieved through the work of itinerant Moravians sent out from Herrnhut in twos and threes. Through the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in 1727 and the life and ministry of Zinzendorf, one of the most dynamic missionary movements came into existence. In the next 150 years the Moravians sent out over 2,000 of their members overseas. They tended to go to the most remote, unfavorable and neglected areas. Many of them were simple peasants and artisans.

The impact of the Moravians did not end with their own achievements. Their example profoundly influenced both John Wesley, the founder of the Methodist movement and William Carey the “father” of Protestant missions." 

____________________________

Let me ask you. 

Generalizing how important a concept is the "lost" to a congregation in any mainline denomination? When did you least hear a sermon that focused on the lost? 

What do you think? Is there such a thing as a lost person?

Was Jesus right when he said he focused on the lost? 

Matthew 18:12-14 is a good beginning point to ponder with regard to the lost.

The Moravians of yesterday got it!

- To read the whole article click here.  Above text above cribbed from Movements.net