Revivalism
(noun)
The revival of religious fervor or the promotion of religious renewal, often characterized by intense emotional expression, mass conversions, and the growth of new religious movements.
Origin:
From the verb revive (meaning 'to bring back to life') + -ism (meaning 'a doctrine or belief').
Examples:
- The Great Awakening was a period of revivalism in American religious history.
- Revivalism played a significant role in the spread of Christianity in Africa in the 19th century.
- Revivalism is often associated with revival meetings, where large crowds gather to hear preaching and singing.
- The revivalism movement in the United States was marked by the use of tent revivals, where large tents were erected in rural areas to host religious services.
- Revivalism has often been criticized for its focus on emotion and sensationalism, rather than on sound doctrine and theological reflection.