A Survey of Church History Season 4, Episode 8: The Enlightenment

Continuing the Reformation

The Protestant Reformation did not end with the deaths of leaders like Martin Luther and John Calvin. In the first part of this series, W. Robert Godfrey explains the challenges faced by the heirs of the Reformation as they sought to be faithful witnesses in an ever-changing world.

23 min

Scholastic Theology

Although their writings are often challenging, the scholastic theologians can greatly benefit Christians today. In the second part of this series, W. Robert Godfrey surveys the piety and precision of the scholastic movement.

Puritan Piety

The church is constantly threatened by external obedience masking a heart that is apathetic to the Lord. In the third part of this series, W. Robert Godfrey discusses how the Puritans sought to maintain sincere, heartfelt devotion to the Lord.

Puritan Politics

The Puritan movement began with a concern for the souls of men and women, but it also became a political force. In the fourth part of this series, W. Robert Godfrey considers the attempts of the Westminster Assembly to reform the state church in England.

Puritan Worship and Eschatology

Many Reformed churches today trace their roots back to the English Puritans. But many people in those churches would be very unfamiliar with Puritan worship. In the fifth part of this series, W. Robert Godfrey explains why the Puritans worshiped the way they did and also discusses what the Puritans thought about the end times.

23 min

Puritan Views of Assurance and Conversion

One significant difference that sharply separates Roman Catholics from Protestants is whether we can have assurance of our salvation. In the sixth part of this series, W. Robert Godfrey examines how the Puritans understood conversion and how they ministered to Christians who struggled with assurance.

23 min

The Puritans in New England

When the Puritans arrived in the New World, they had no intention of establishing a new religion. Instead, they brought their religious ideals into reality. In the seventh part of this series, W. Robert Godfrey evaluates the spiritual foundations of the American colonies.

23 min

Wesley and Whitefield

From the end of the seventeenth century to the beginning of the eighteenth, England had become spiritually dry. In the ninth part of this series, W. Robert Godfrey tells of the revivals that God brought about through the preaching of George Whitefield and John Wesley.

22 min

The Great Awakening

In New England, a significant spiritual revitalization took place that spread throughout the American colonies. In the tenth part of this series, W. Robert Godfrey expounds on the history of what is known as the Great Awakening and introduces several of its key figures.

21 min

Jonathan Edwards

Jonathan Edwards is often considered one of the most influential people in American history. In the eleventh part of this series, W. Robert Godfrey explains how the Lord used Edwards' brilliant mind and religious devotion to play a key role in the Great Awakening.

23 min

Political Revolutions

The American and French Revolutions left an enduring impact on Western history. In the twelfth part of this series, W. Robert Godfrey reflects on how the ideals behind these two movements took very different turns with significant effects.

23 min