Download: Restoration Theology Student Notes

Opening Story: Execution of Michael Servetus (1553)

In Geneva, Switzerland; executed for rejecting Trinity and predestination.

Servetus was a genius doctor, theologian, discovered pulmonary circulation; wrote “Restoration of Christianity.”

John Calvin had him arrested and executed (burned at stake).

Backlash: Sparked quest for freedom of expression; ideas survived via others.

Lesson: Past intolerance; now we have freedom to question.

Milestones Overview

History shaped over 600 years toward modern restorationism.

Key factors: Awareness, freedom, access to info, tools, time, desire.

Goal: Recover authentic Christianity through dialogue.

Milestone 1: Renaissance (14th-17th c.)

Revival of classical learning; focus on originals (ad fontes).

Humanism: Lorenzo Valla exposed Donation of Constantine as forgery.

Led to questioning church authority; paved way for Reformation.

Milestone 2: Reformation (16th c.)

Martin Luther: 95 Theses (1517); challenged indulgences, purgatory.

Sola Scriptura: Bible over tradition.

Key figures: Calvin, Zwingli; but still burned heretics.

Radical Reformers (Anabaptists): Restore NT practices like believer’s baptism.

Spread via printing press (Gutenberg, 1450s).

Milestone 3: Enlightenment (17th-18th c.)

Reason over tradition; John Locke: Toleration of diverse views.

American influence: Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, US Constitution on religious freedom

Milestone 4: Biblical Studies Advances (19th-20th c.)

Lexicons: Gesenius (Hebrew, 1810), Liddell-Scott (Greek, 1843).

Textual criticism: Tischendorf discovered Codex Sinaiticus (1844).

Archaeology: Dead Sea Scrolls (1947) confirmed ancient texts.

Translations: More accurate

Milestone 5: Modern Tools (20th-21st c.)

Digital access: Bible software, online resources.

AI: Analyze texts, detect biases.

Unprecedented freedom and information access

Conclusion: Providence led to current era for restoration.