Restorationism

Restorationism is a religious perspective focused on the history and purity of faith.

It is often called Christian primitivism. This view holds that the original beliefs and practices of Jesus's followers were lost or changed over time. Many followers believe these early ways were corrupted after the death of Jesus. This period of decline is often referred to as the Great Apostasy. Because of this, restorationists seek to restore the church to its original, pure form. They use the primitive church as a normative model to correct current faults.

Restorationists often attempt to tear down the walls of denominationalism. They aim to return to the essential and universal features of the religion. This goal is frequently a response to the many different branches of Christianity. Different groups implement this vision in various ways. Some focus on church structure, while others focus on ethics or spiritual experience. The level of success in achieving a full restoration varies between groups. Some believe the restoration is a continuous work, while others believe it has been achieved.

Historians identify four main models of restorationism. The first is ecclesiastical primitivism. This model focuses on restoring the organizational structure of the early church. It looks at how leaders like apostles, elders, and deacons functioned. The Didache, an early Christian treatise, describes these roles. Huldrych Zwingli, John Calvin, and the Puritans advocated for this model. In the United States, Alexander Campbell was its strongest advocate.

The second model is ethical primitivism. This approach focuses on restoring the moral norms and discipleship of the early church. It emphasizes following universal commandments, such as the biblical Sabbath. Some groups follow the Hebrew calendar to define seasons and weeks. They distinguish between the Ten Commandments and other ceremonial requirements like animal sacrifices. The Anabaptists, Barton W. Stone, and the Holiness Movement are examples of this type.

The third model is experiential primitivism. This focuses on restoring direct communication with God. It seeks the experience of the Holy Spirit seen in the early church. The Latter Day Saint movement, led by Joseph Smith, is a key example. Pentecostalism also follows this model.

The fourth model is gospel primitivism. This focuses on the core message of the faith. Martin Luther practiced a form of this during the Reformation. He believed the gospel message had been obscured and insisted on scripture as the sole authority.

Restorationist themes have appeared throughout history. They were present in the works of Irenaeus during the early church. During the Middle Ages, groups like the Lollards and the Hussites sought to renew the church. These movements often discussed breaking from papal authority. In the 19th century, several unrelated movements arose during the Great Awakenings. These included the Christadelphians, Swedenborgians, and the Mormons. Other groups include the Jehovah's Witnesses and the New Apostolic Church.

In a broader sense, restorationism can be classified as one of six taxonomic groupings of Christianity. These groupings include the Church of the East, Oriental Orthodoxy, Eastern Orthodoxy, Roman Catholicism, Protestantism, and Restorationism. The term also appears in other contexts. For example, it can include the belief that Jewish people must be restored to a promised land. This is often called Christian Zionism in later forms. Whether through scholarship or spiritual experience, restorationism remains a major force in religious history.