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![]() ![]() Together these trends weakened the church's influence on broader culture and led many modern Christians to devalue a robust intellectual understanding of their faith. Rather than being the "salt of the earth," we effectively put the salt back in the cupboard. The empiricism of the "Era of Enlightenment," the skepticism of German higher criticism, and the development of Darwinian evolution led many Christians to mistrust intellectual pursuits, rather than motivating them to confront these ideas head-on.īy the early 1900’s, liberalism began to influence mainline denominations, provoking fundamentalists to retreat from the arena of public discourse to form their own theological institutions and thus isolating Christian ideas from the rest of the world. Increasing theological illiteracy also weakened the church's ability to respond to the intellectual attack on Christianity that culminated in the late 1800’s. As a result, cults such as Mormonism and Jehovah's Witnesses gained momentum and went on to have a profound impact on the beliefs of millions of people around the globe. Thousands of people heard revivalist preachers and became Christians, but many of these new believers lacked an intellectual understanding of essential doctrinal issues. However, an overemphasis on these experiences began to take the place of quiet reflection, thoughtful consideration, and a deep grasp of authentic Christian teachings. ![]() Much good came out of these revivals, including an emphasis on personal conversion to Christ and an emotionally engaged faith. This all began to change after several revivals broke out in America in the mid-1800’s. ![]() Back then, ministers were considered to be authorities not only on spiritual matters, but on intellectual matters as well. ![]()
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