AD
1783
Illuminism - Mystical movement founded in Bavaria in the Middle Ages. Such
men as Swedenborg (1688-1772) moved towards spiritualism. Influenced writers of
the romantic age, and evoked interest in the unknown and infinite, in reaction
to 18th century rationalism.
AD
1791
Japanese Rangaku school of Dutch learning thrived despite restrictions
and bans upon Christian writings. Liberal, pro-foreign ideas of the 'Dutch scholars'
began to spread through Japan from the Dutch trading station at Deshima. Western
studies had gained a hold in Japan by the early 19th century.
AD
1800
Missionary activity in the East India Company's territories in India was initially
discouraged under a policy of non-interference in Indian cultural affairs.
AD
1804
Jewish enlightenment - Began in Germany following emancipation and some
assimilation in Europe. Rationalist reform movement which criticized and eventually
rejected much of Talmudic Judaism. Rejected resurrection and belief in a personal
Messiah. Moses Mendelssohn (1729-86) Abraham Geiger (1810-74)
Samuel Holdheim (1806-60). Christian toleration proscribed in China.
In 1815 a Catholic priest was strangled for being in China without permission.
Christian literature suppressed in China under the Ch'ien Lung Empire.
AD
1808
Sheikhis - Extreme form of Shi'ite religion, called after Sheikh Ahmad
ibn-Zayn-al-Din al-Ahasai (d. 1827) who taught that while the 12 imams (Muslim
religious leaders) had no power, they were nevertheless instruments of divine
will.
AD
1812
 Southcottians
- Followers of Joanna Southcott (1750-1814), who claimed she was going to give
birth to a divine son.
Missionaries allowed for the first time
into Indian territories due to the influence of Wilberforce (1759-1833) and the
evangelicals in the British Parliament. By 1813 five major English missionary
societies had been founded.
AD
1816
Clapham Sect - Group of wealthy, pious and benevolent evangelists living
in Clapham, London, who devoted themselves to such social causes as the abolition
of the slave trade: John Venn (1759-1813) William Wilberforce
(1759-1833) Henry Thornton (1760-1815) Zachary Macaulay (1768-1838)
AD
1820
Disciples of Christ - Liberal Protestant sect in USA. Belief in racial
equality and Christian unity. Militant Sikhs in India, defeated and
outlawed by the Mughals, reappeared during British rule in bands under leaders
who formed small states. Ranjit Sikh (d. 1839) formed a Sikh nation within the
Punjab.
AD
1824
Plymouth Brethren - Founded in Dublin by John Darby (1800-82) who was dissatisfied
with the lack of spirituality in the Church. Moved to Plymouth where all who wanted
spiritual unity could attend meetings. Rapidly split into many factions, the strictest
being exclusive, forbidding contact with non-members. Foundation of many European
missionary societies.
AD
1826
 Mormons
or Latter-Day Saints - Founded in 1830 in USA by Joseph Smith (1805-44) who
claimed he had been forbidden by two heavenly messengers to join any existing
Church, but to prepare to be the prophet of a new one. The Mormon Church is based
on a dual priesthood, the spiritual Melchizedeks and the temporal Aaronic priesthood.
They believe the Book of Mormon to be the Word of God.
Catholic
Apostolic Church (Irvingites) - Presbyterian sect following the teaching of
Edward Irving (1792-1834). Founded in 1831 after apparently miraculous hearing,
repetitions of scenes of Corinth as described by St. Paul (1st century A.D.),
and speaking in tongues in Scotland and London. Basically orthodox, but very mystical
liturgy full of symbolism.
AD
1832
Oxford Movement or Tractarians, an Anglican High Church movement originating
in Oxford, rejected the increasing secular influence over the Church, and advocated
in a more Catholic outlook in doctrine and ritual. Also called Anglo-Catholics.
John Keble (1792-1866) Edward Pusey (1800-82) John Henry
Newman (1810-90)
AD
1840
Christian socialism - English group, though with antecedents in France,
committed to reviving Christianity as an aid to social reform, by applying the
teachings of Jesus to contemporary industrial problems. Foundation of the Young
Men's Christian Association (1844). Robert de Lamennais (1782-1854); Charles Kingsley
(1819-75); John Ludlow (1821-1911); Thomas Hughes (1822-96). Babism
- Mystical Muslim sect which succeeded the Sheikhis. Founded by the Bab (Ali Muhammad)
(1820-50), who considered himself a mirror in which believers could see the image
of God.
AD
1844
Adventists - Group of American sects all of which have faith in the second
coming of Christ and the beginning of the millenium. Modern Seventh Day Adventists
observe Saturday as the Sabbath.
AD
1847
Shinto folk movements arose towards the end of the Tokugawa period in Japan.
Disregarded by the orthodox Shinto priests and scholars, these movements, founded
by unknown individuals, appealed strongly to the poor and the lower classes in
Japan. Nakayama Miki (d. 1887) Kurozumi Munetada (d. 1849)
AD
1850
Christadelphians - Organization formed in America claiming to represent
the true apostolic faith of the 1st century A.D. Indian Muslim community,
about a quarter of the total population, which had formed the ruling class under
the Mughals, found itself in decline as high Muslim officials were replaced by
British adminstrators.
AD
1853
T'ai P'ing teaching in China, the 'Heavenly Kingdom of Great Peace' of
Hung Hsiu-ch'uan (1812-64), contained elements of Protestant Christianity and
native beliefs, giving rise to the Worshippers of Shang Ti, a political and religious
sect which attempted to overthrow the Manchu dynasty.
AD
1856
Confessionalism - Lutheran revival of church discipline, emphasizing the
use of the sacraments and ritual. Reaction to Romantic emotionalism. Ernst
Hengstenberg (1802-69)
Gottlieb von Harless (1806-79) Christian
missions in the interior of China permitted in the Treaties of Tientsin (1858).
Rapid growth of missionary activity in China.
AD
1859
 Origin
of Species published (1859) by Charles Darwin (1809-82). Undermined traditional
interpretation of Genesis. Many alienated from orthodox religion, others tried
to reconcile both theories, while fundamentalists in America rejected Darwin's
theory. French rights for Catholic missions to own land in China secured in
the Peking conventions (1860).
AD
1862
Baha'ism - New Muslim system, based on the teachings of the Bab (1820-50),
founded by Baha-Allah (1817-92), who claimed to be the manifestation of the divine
will foretold by Bab. Influenced by current European liberalism, he added Christian
elements to the mystical Shi'ite heritage.
AD
1865
Salvation Army - Originally an offshoot of Methodism, which aimed at preaching
the Gospel to those who knew nothing about Christianity. This entailed much social
work in addition, such as soup kitchens and help for the poor. Organized along
military lines, with uniforms, brass bands and songs.
AD
1868
Infallibility of the Pope in decisions regarding faith and morals, declared by
Vatican Council (1870). T|bingen School was instrumental in the introduction
of critical analysis of the text of the Bible, in place of automatic acceptance.
Ferdinand Bauer (1792-1860) Massacre of French missionaries in Tientsin, China
(1870).
AD
1871
Kulturkampf, the 'struggle for civilization,' German anti-clerical movement
caused by Bismarck (1815-98), who feared Catholicism as a threat to German nationalism.
Revival of Islam in India as a reaction against the challenges of Hinduism,
Christianity, and western domination. Various reform movements founded, both militant
and reformist. Sayyid Ahmad Khan of Delhi (1817-98) attempted to reconcile Islam
with western thought and founded the Aligarh Muslim College (1875), Mirza Ghulam
Ahmad (1838-1908); Aga Khan (1800-81); Sayyid Amir Ali (1849-1928).
AD
1874
Theosophical Society founded in 1875 by Mme. Blavatsky (1831-91) and developed
by Annie Besant (1847-1933). Based on Hindu and Buddhist mystical teachings.
AD
1877
Christian Science - Founded by Mary Baker Eddy (1821-1910), who believed
that disease and evil were illusions of the mind, spiritual healing being the
only cure. Thomism (i.e. that there is no conflict between true science
and true religion) established as center of Roman Catholic theology of Pope Leo
XIII (1878-1903) in encyclical Aeterna Patris (1879).
AD
1880
Shinto, proclaimed the state religion in 1871, was officially divided into
Pure or Shrine Shinto, the orthodox form, and Sect Shinto (1882). The 13 sects,
which evolved from earlier folk movements, have been recognized as separate denominations,
and emphasize many different aspects of the Shinto beliefs. |