n.
Reform movement in German Lutheranism that arose in the 17th century.
Philipp Jakob Spener (16351705), a Lutheran pastor, originated the movement when he organized an "assembly of piety," a regular meeting of Christians for devotional reading and spiritual exchange. Spener advocated greater involvement of the laity in worship, more extensive study of scripture, and ministerial training that emphasized piety and learning rather than disputation. Under Spener's successor, August Hermann Francke (16631727), the University of Halle became a centre of the movement. Pietism influenced the Moravian and Methodist churches (see Methodism ).