Historia de la Iglesia Moderna 3.3

The Life and Impact of D.L. Moody

Early Life and Conversion

• D.L. Moody was born in 1837 and passed away in 1899, becoming a significant evangelist during the Third Great Awakening.

• He lost his father at age four and had to leave school at seven, later converting to Christianity at 17 while working in his uncle's shoe shop.

Ministry Beginnings

• After moving to Chicago in 1856, he became a successful businessman and started a Sunday school that grew to over 600 children by utilizing an abandoned bar as its venue.

• His approach involved engaging with children, which proved effective for church planting; similar strategies were used by others like Robert Reid in England.

Spiritual Experience and Evangelism

• In 1868, Moody experienced what he called the "second blessing," or a baptism of love, which deepened his ministry impact.

• Unlike polished orators, Moody's simple messages filled with stories resonated with audiences; he is estimated to have preached to over one million people throughout his life.

Educational Contributions

• Despite never being ordained by any church, he founded the Moody Bible Institute in Chicago to train future theologians and ministers.

• His teachings emphasized holiness, divine healing, and the second coming of Christ.

The Third Great Awakening

• The Third Great Awakening saw spiritual revivals not only in America but also across England through figures like William Booth (founder of the Salvation Army).

• Other notable figures included Charles Spurgeon and George Müller who contributed significantly to this spiritual movement.

Lessons from Revival Movements

• Genuine revival changes societal moral standards; it should impact both church communities and broader society.

The Impact of the 19th Century Revival on Missions

The Role of Compassionate Leadership in Missions

• The 19th century saw a significant revival led by compassionate individuals who preached, prayed, and lived lives of holiness and compassion.

• This period is recognized as the "Great Century" for missionary expansion, particularly influenced by the Second Great Awakening in North America and Europe.

Emergence of Mission Societies

• The Second Great Awakening spurred churches to recognize their responsibility towards evangelism and global missions, leading to the formation of early missionary societies.

• Notable figures like William Carey emerged during this time; he was sent to India in 1793 by the Baptist Missionary Society, marking one of the first organized missionary efforts.

Expansion into New Regions

• By the 19th century, Latin America was still viewed primarily as a mission field that had not yet been fully engaged.

• Catholic missions existed since the 16th century but were overshadowed by Protestant movements gaining momentum during this era.

Diverse Approaches to Mission Work

• Various groups such as Pietists and Moravians utilized trade routes for evangelism, often preaching while engaging in commerce.

• Missionaries trained local pastors and focused on establishing sustainable church communities before moving on to new areas.

Notable Figures in Mission History

• David Brainerd (1718–1747), dedicated his life to reaching Native Americans despite initial language barriers; his fervent prayers were pivotal in his ministry.

• An anecdote highlights Brainerd's determination when he used a drunken interpreter during a sermon, resulting in many conversions among Native Americans.

Lasting Influence of Brainerd's Ministry

• Despite his fragile health leading to an early death at age 29, Brainerd's passion inspired others like Jonathan Edwards to engage more deeply with indigenous populations.

• Edwards published Brainerd’s diary which documented his spiritual journey and compassion for lost souls, influencing future generations toward missions.

Global Expansion of Christianity

The Impact of Protestant Missions in Latin America

Overview of Protestant Missionary Expansion

• The discussion begins with the limited presence of Muslims in Latin America, focusing on the Protestant missionary expansion during the 19th century, a period marked by European colonialism and significant missionary activity.

• Colonialism was driven by political, economic, and social factors, which also spurred interest in spreading the Gospel alongside colonization efforts.

The First Wave of Modern Missions

• The first wave of modern missions can be traced back to around 1800 when missionaries targeted areas already colonized, such as India and coastal regions of Africa.

• William Carey is highlighted as a pivotal figure known as the "father of modern missions," particularly for his work in Southeast Asia.

William Carey's Life and Contributions

• Carey's humble beginnings as a poor shoemaker are discussed; he became an influential missionary despite facing significant opposition.

• A notable quote attributed to Carey reflects hyper-Calvinist sentiments: “When God wants to convert the Gentiles, He will do it without your help or mine,” illustrating resistance to active missionary work.

Key Writings and Principles

• Carey's influential book emphasized Christians' obligation to use means for converting pagans, establishing foundational principles for Protestant missions.

• His biography details his struggles and determination leading up to his departure for India in 1793. His motto was “Expect great things from God; attempt great things for God.”

Early Challenges in India

• Upon arriving in India, Carey faced numerous hardships but established a base for his mission work after baptizing his first converts.

• An anecdote illustrates skepticism towards young enthusiasts advocating for foreign missions during Carey's time.

Personal Struggles and Achievements

• Carey's early life included personal tragedies such as losing a daughter while he pursued education in languages like Greek, Hebrew, and Latin.

• His commitment to international affairs led him to advocate strongly for missionary work among Protestants who were largely indifferent at that time.

Establishing Missionary Societies

• In 1792, Carey organized a missionary society where he preached about expecting great things from God while attempting significant endeavors.

Family Life and Adaptation

• The challenges faced by Carey’s family during their initial years in India are described; they struggled with cultural adjustments and living conditions.

Overcoming Adversity

William Carey: A Missionary's Journey

Early Life and Challenges

• William Carey's early life was marked by personal tragedy, including the death of his five-year-old son Peter and the subsequent health decline of his wife Dorothy.

Missionary Work in India

• In October 1799, Carey relocated to a Danish settlement near Calcutta, where he could legally preach for the first time after years of illegal missionary work under British control.

• Carey was joined by fellow missionaries William Ward and Joshua Marshman; their collaboration led to increased financial support as they secured government printing contracts.

• By December 1800, after seven years in India, Carey baptized his first convert, Krishna Pau, and published his first Bengali New Testament, laying groundwork for modern Bengali studies.

The Printing Press Fire

• A devastating fire destroyed Carey's printing press in Calcutta, consuming years of translation work and resources within hours.

• News of the fire reached Western countries; businesspeople from the U.S. and Europe contributed funds to help restore Carey's mission efforts.

Translation Efforts and Social Reforms

• Over 28 years, Carey translated the entire Bible into several major Indian languages (Bengali, Marathi, Hindi), along with parts in over 200 other dialects while advocating for social reforms like abolishing infanticide and widow burning.

• He co-founded Serampore College in 1818 to provide theological education for Indian citizens; this institution continues to educate thousands today.

Legacy and Influence

• Despite only having around 700 converts during his lifetime in a nation of millions, Carey's legacy includes significant biblical translations that allow diverse populations in India to read scriptures in their native languages.

• His work inspired many missionaries throughout the 19th century; figures like Adoniram Judson were influenced by Carey's example amidst a comfortable Christianity prevalent among Western believers.

Reflection on Missions Today

• The discussion highlights how Carey's life remains relevant today as millions still live without knowledge of the Gospel; it prompts reflection on why contemporary churches may lack commitment to long-term missions.

Impact Beyond Borders

• Carey's linguistic achievements included translating the Bible into at least six languages and contributing portions into an additional 30–40 dialects across India.

• His influence extended beyond translations as he worked against harmful practices such as Sati (the burning of widows), which had persisted for centuries within Hindu communities.

Student Movements Inspired by Carey

• A student movement emerged in New England inspired by one of Carey's writings called "The Inquiry," leading them to prayer meetings that spread awareness about missions.

Contributions to American Missions

• Carey is recognized as a pivotal figure in American Baptist missions; he played a crucial role in establishing missionary efforts particularly towards Burma (Myanmar).

Adoniram Judson: A Life of Sacrifice and Mission

The Struggles and Triumphs of Adoniram Judson

• Adoniram Judson faced severe malnutrition and desperation for his life, exemplifying the extreme challenges missionaries encountered. His wife did everything possible to support him during this difficult time.

• Following his eventual release from imprisonment, Judson's wife tragically passed away, which deeply affected him. Despite this personal loss, he continued translating the Bible into Burmese, completing it in 1834.

• By the time of his death, Judson had established a significant mission presence with 63 churches, 7,000 baptized individuals, and 163 missionaries and pastors. He also succeeded in printing the Bible in Burmese.

• As one of the first foreign missionaries commissioned in U.S. history, Judson guided hundreds of Burmese to faith in Jesus Christ while translating various Christian texts into local languages.

Early Life and Call to Missions

• Born on August 9, 1788, in Malden, Massachusetts, Adoniram was raised by a Congregationalist minister. He graduated from Brown University but struggled with doubts about his faith during his studies.

• The death of a close friend who was also skeptical profoundly impacted Judson's faith journey. This led him to attend Andover Seminary where he eventually converted to Christianity.

• In 1809, inspired by a sermon by Claudius Buchanan titled "The Star in the East," Judson developed an interest in missions that prompted him to form a study group focused on missionary work at seminary.

Formation of Missionary Organizations

• In response to international tensions leading up to the War of 1812 and difficulties faced by their initial plans for missions abroad, Judson became one of the founders of the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions.

• After marrying Nancy Hawtin in February 1812 and being ordained as a missionary minister, he set sail for Calcutta, India—leaving behind promising career opportunities.

Challenges Faced During Mission Work

• During their four-month voyage to India aboard ship with fellow missionaries Samuel and Harding, they studied baptismal positions carefully due to differing beliefs among denominations regarding infant baptism.

• Upon arrival in Calcutta convinced about Baptist principles after discussions with William Carey (an English Baptist), they were baptized but renounced their previous Congregationalist affiliation due to integrity concerns over financial support.

• Forced out of India due to British colonial policies against Westerners amid rising tensions between Britain and Burma (Myanmar), they fled to Rangoon where they established their first mission base despite personal losses including their newborn child.

Translation Work Amidst Imprisonment

• While establishing themselves as missionaries in Burma (Myanmar), both Adoniram and Nancy began learning local languages essential for effective evangelism; however war broke out between England and Burma leading to dire consequences for foreigners like them.

• Adoniram was imprisoned under suspicion as a spy during this conflict; he endured harsh conditions including illness while Nancy worked tirelessly outside prison walls caring for their children and ensuring her husband received food through intermediaries.

Adoniram Judson: A Life of Sacrifice and Mission

Early Struggles and Isolation

• Adoniram Judson faced immense personal loss with the death of his wife Nancy in 1826, followed by their two-year-old daughter Maria, leading to profound grief and isolation.

• In a state of despair, he retreated into the jungle for 40 days, surviving on minimal rations while contemplating death amidst fears of local wildlife.

• Upon returning from self-imposed exile, Judson emerged spiritually renewed with a determination to evangelize in Burma.

Missionary Work and Achievements

• Judson experienced significant productivity in his missionary efforts during the next decade, particularly among tribal communities.

• He returned to North America briefly due to health issues but continued advocating for missions upon his return to Burma in 1846.

• His work included translating the Bible into Burmese and mentoring young missionaries who came to serve alongside him.

Legacy and Impact

• Despite initial challenges yielding few conversions, a breakthrough occurred when a member of the Oscar tribe converted, leading to mass conversions among the Karen people.

• By the end of his life, Judson had translated the Bible into Burmese and established numerous churches; he is credited with planting 63 churches and baptizing over 7,000 Christians.

Reflection on Suffering and Commitment

• Judson's journey highlights how suffering can advance the gospel; his personal losses remind us that missionaries are real people facing genuine struggles.

• His unwavering commitment serves as an inspiration for modern missionaries; it raises questions about our own obedience to God's calling.

Final Thoughts on Missionary Endeavors

• The speaker reflects on Judson's life as one filled with sacrifice yet rich in spiritual gain—emphasizing that losing everything for Christ leads to gaining everything in Him.

• The discussion transitions towards future sessions focusing on subsequent waves of missionary movements throughout history.