What does pietism mean?
Pietism is a formal term for either strict personal religious devotion or a major strand of early modern Protestantism. Historically, it refers especially to the revival movement that emerged within German Lutheran Christianity during the 17th and 18th centuries. Its adherents objected to an overreliance on formal ritual and doctrine, emphasizing instead sincere faith, private prayer, Bible study, and disciplined moral conduct. The movement contributed to the growth of Protestant congregations, missions, and educational institutions. In more general or critical usage, pietism can describe an exaggerated or self-conscious display of religious devotion. Modern speakers most often encounter the word in histories of religion, although it also appears in broader cultural commentary. Compared with piety, which can refer simply to devotion or moral uprightness, pietism often suggests a movement, method, or conspicuous attitude toward religious practice.
nounPietism is a form of strict personal religious devotion or, in historical usage, the 17th- and 18th-century Protestant revival movement, especially in Germany, that emphasized heartfelt faith and moral discipline.
- The 17th- and 18th-century Protestant revival movement, especially associated with Lutheranism in Germany, that stressed sincere personal faith, Bible study, and moral conduct.
- A strict, demonstrative, or affectate form of personal religious devotion.
"The historian traced the rise of Pietism in Lutheran communities across northern Europe."
"The historian traced the rise of Pietism in Lutheran communities across northern Europe."
"His reputation for pietism made the minister's public grief seem overly formal."
The plural is uncommon but standard when referring to distinct forms or expressions of personal devotion.
"Accounts of eighteenth-century pietisms identify several distinct regional and confessional movements."
Pietism made private devotion a public movement—and helped shape modern ideas of religious discipline.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does pietism come from?
English borrowed the word from German Pietismus, the name associated with the early modern Protestant revival movement. The term ultimately draws on Latin pietas, meaning “piety” or “dutifulness,” together with the learned suffix -ism. Related English forms include piety, pious, and piously.
Related word forms
How pietism is actually used
The word is chiefly formal and is common in religious and historical writing. It may be neutral when discussing the historical movement but can sound critical when it describes conspicuous or self-righteous displays of devotion.
Easily confused with pietism
Pietism names a religious tendency or movement, whereas a pietist is a person who advocates or practices it.