Studies in revivalism as a social and religious phenomenon, with special reference to the London revival of 1736-1750

• Main Author: Hylson-Smith, Kenneth
• Published: University of Leicester 1973
• Subjects: 900
• Online Access: http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.674086

This thesis examines revivalism sociologically and phenomenologically. It is contended that sociology and phenomenology of religion are not incompatible disciplines, but may and should be complementary. It is possible for both to be fruitfully applied to the study of religion and religious phenomena, and this has been attempted in the present work. The eighteenth-century revival in London in its formative years, 1736 to 1750, is studied in depth. In addition to the contemporary and subsequent published works, such as journals, pamphlets, books, letters and local histories of various description, considerable use has been made of unpublished manuscripts, and other primary sources not previously used in the same way as in this thesis. An examination is then made of a wide chronological and geographical range of other post-Reformation revivals in the Christian tradition. In doing so, those revivals are included which have been of considerable significance in terms of their impact upon, and importance to the religious life of the community with which they are associated, or which have exerted a profound influence in helping to stimulate other such phenomena. Where this has not been of special relevance, the revival has been chosen because it is well documented, often by a contemporary person involved in it, in such a manner as to give added insight into either or both its social and religious aspects. On the basis of these studies, revivalism is considered as a social and religious phenomenon. This is undertaken in the broad context of major world religions, and by reference to those sociological and phenomenological theories and concepts which appear most pertinent to this particular manifestation of religious behaviour.