Restorationism
Restorationism is a movement within Christianity aimed at returning to the practices and beliefs of the early church, often referred to as Christian primitivism. This concept has evolved since the Middle Ages, where early efforts sought to address perceived deviations from Apostolic Christianity, primarily within the Catholic Church. The Protestant Reformation of the sixteenth century marked a significant wave of Restorationism, advocating for a reliance on biblical authority and encouraging a return to early Christian practices.
In the nineteenth century, various unaffiliated Christian groups emerged, striving to replicate the principles of the New Testament Church. This era gave rise to new denominations such as the Mormons, Jehovah's Witnesses, and the Disciples of Christ, all emphasizing unity and a return to Apostolic traditions. The movement further diversified in the mid-twentieth century, influenced by the charismatic and Pentecostal revivals, which sought to establish house churches akin to early Christian gatherings.
Modern Restorationism continues to manifest globally, with many smaller, non-denominational congregations arising to foster biblical teachings and communal worship. While predominantly a Protestant movement, the concept has also gained traction within Roman Catholicism, as some seek to reinstate pre-Vatican II practices. Overall, Restorationism reflects a shared conviction among its adherents that contemporary Christianity has strayed from its original teachings and practices.
On this Page
Restorationism
Restorationism is a concept in Christianity with several applications. At its most basic, it refers to restoring Christian practices to those used during the days of the earliest church. This is also called Christian primitivism. In more general terms, Restorationism refers to any of a number of different movements intended to achieve this goal that have occurred since the Middle Ages. In contemporary times, Restorationism refers to a nineteenth-century movement among several unaffiliated Christian groups to return to the practices of the ancient New Testament Church. In Roman Catholicism, the term refers to an effort by some clergy to return to pre-1960s church practices that were eliminated when Catholics adopted the rules of the Second Vatican Council.
Background
Christianity began in the first century in the years after Jesus Christ was crucified by the Romans and, according to his followers, rose from the dead. His followers adopted certain traditions and behaviors to honor Jesus. They gathered together frequently, usually in homes, to share the story of Jesus’s life and death and to worship. They shared meals, reenacted the Last Supper—a portion of the last Jewish Passover meal that Jesus shared with his followers—and shared their material goods in common. This is called First-Century Christianity, Apostolic Christianity, the Acts Church—named for the book of the Bible in which it is documented—or New Testament Christianity.
From perhaps two dozen early followers, the number of early Christians expanded exponentially as they shared Jesus’s story. Propelled by the efforts of the Apostle Paul, Christianity spread throughout the Roman world. As time went on, and the original followers of Jesus died, and new leaders rose up. They changed some Christian practices and added new rules. By the Middle Ages, some people became concerned that Christianity had changed too much. This led to the first of many waves of Restorationism in Christianity.
Overview
The first efforts at Christian Restorationism occurred in the Middle Ages. At this time, the Catholic Church was the main form of Christianity. The head of the Church was the pope, who acted as both a religious and political leader. Some popes enacted policies that others found objectionable, such as granting indulgences, or forgiveness for sins in exchange for monetary donations to the Church. During this time, some church leaders lobbied unsuccessfully for restoration to Apostolic Christianity.
The Protestant Reformation—the sixteenth century movement to radically change church practices—was also a form of restoration movement. Reformers wanted the Christian church to rely on the authority of the Bible, not the practices that had built up over the years. Some wanted to return to practices like those of the early Church, while others thought these put too much emphasis on the behaviors of humans and not enough focus on God. Nevertheless, the Reformation led to a split from Catholicism and the establishment of Protestant churches that would be key players in future Restorationism.
During the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, several Christian denominations made attempts at Restorationism. It was during the seventeenth century that the movement was first called Restorationism, while the concept gained in popularity in the next century. In many ways, these movements corresponded with the founding of the United States and the overall religious movement known as the Second Great Awakening. This was a time of greatly increased religious fervor among American Protestants in the late eighteenth century. Thousands attended outdoor camp gatherings to listen to traveling preachers and worship. At the same time, new immigrants coming to the country saw an opportunity to establish ways of worshiping that were very different than the deeply traditional churches they left behind in Europe and elsewhere.
By the nineteenth century, a number of new denominations were established with an intent to emphasize the principles of the early church. These included the Jehovah’s Witnesses, Mormons, and Seventh-day Adventists. It also included followers of schoolteacher Barton Warren Stone and Presbyterian minister Thomas Campbell, the originators of the Stone-Campbell Movement. This Restorationism movement emphasized the idea that the many Christian denominations needed to be united before Jesus’s predicted second coming, and that this would be accomplished by restoring the Apostolic practices. The Stone-Campbell Restorationism movement led to the establishment of several other Christian denominations, including the Disciples of Christ, Churches of Christ, and Independent Christian Churches/Churches of Christ.
In the mid-twentieth century, another Restorationism movement arose in Great Britain before spreading to the United States. This movement is generally associated with Arthur Wallis, an itinerant Bible teacher and author. It was part of the overall charismatic and Pentecostal movement that began in the 1960s and, like the nineteenth century movement, was based in the idea that the churches needed to be ready for Jesus’s second coming. There was a significant focus on establishing house churches—smaller congregations meeting in people’s homes or in rented spaces instead of permanent church buildings—much like the New Testament church. Similar to many of the earlier Restorationism movements, this one also resulted in additional divisions as various groups differed in how to replicate first century churches. However, many experts believe this movement has continued into the twenty-first century, with many smaller churches that are unaffiliated with any denomination gathering on a regular basis to hear biblical teachings and share meals. This movement has also spread to the Philippines, Mexico, and Asia.
What all Restorationism movements have in common is a belief that Christianity has strayed from its origins. In some cases, they believe that some practices are corrupt and others, such as praying to Saints and the Catholic concept of purgatory—a place where believers who die in sin stay for a time before entry into heaven—are unbiblical and should not be included. The differences arise in how to apply the example of the early church as portrayed in the biblical book of Acts, what practices are acceptable, and which ones are apostasy, or a total abandonment of Christianity.
While Restorationism has historically been a Protestant movement, the Roman Catholic Church began experiencing its own version in the twenty-first century. In the mid-1960s, the Church changed many practices, such as worshipping in Latin and the use of certain clerical vestments. In the 2010s, some younger clergy began to push back on this, seeking to restore the Latin Mass and more formal vesting. This movement has been opposed because it seemingly elevates clergy above the layperson, something the Church attempted to change with the 1960s Second Vatican Council.
Bibliography
“Arthur Wallis.” CLC Publications, www.clcpublications.com/authors/arthur-wallis/. Accessed 12 July 2023.
Caldwell, Robert W. III. “The Restoration Movement: Christians and Disciples in Pursuit of the New Testament Church.” Pathway, 21 Apr. 2022, mbcpathway.com/2022/04/21/the-restoration-movement-christians-and-disciples-in-pursuit-of-the-new-testament-church/. Accessed 12 July 2023.
Feurerherd, Peter. “Restorationism Brings Traditionalist Approaches to Parish Life.” National Catholic Reporter, 2 Feb. 2017, www.ncronline.org/blogs/ncr-today/restorationism-brings-traditionalist-approaches-parish-life. Accessed 12 July 2023.
Lucey, Candice. “What Is the Restorationism Movement?” Christianity.com, 14 Oct. 2020, www.christianity.com/wiki/church/what-is-the-restorationism-movement.html. Accessed 12 July 2023.
Severance, Diane. “The Second Great Awakening: Its Story and Impact.” Christianity.com, 23 June 2023, www.christianity.com/church/church-history/the-2nd-great-awakening-11630336.html. Accessed 12 July 2023.
Waskey, A.J. L. “Restoration Movement.” New Georgia Encyclopedia, 4 Dec. 2013, www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/articles/arts-culture/restoration-movement/. Accessed 12 July 2023.
“What is Restorationism?” Got Questions, www.gotquestions.org/restorationism.html. Accessed 12 July 2023.
Wright, Nigel G. “Restorationism and the ‘House Church’ Movement.” Gospel Coalition, www.thegospelcoalition.org/themelios/article/restorationism-and-the-house-church-movement/. Accessed 12 July 2023.