Pietism
/ˈpaɪ.ə.tɪ.zəm/noun
A Protestant religious movement emphasizing heartfelt devotion, personal piety, and practical Christian living.
Did you know?Pietism grew in 17th-century German Protestantism and helped shift religion from formal doctrine toward intense personal conversion, a change that reshaped modern evangelical spirituality.
Etymological Timeline
Latin
Latin
pietās
“Duty, devotion, reverence, dutiful respect”
Late Latin
Latin
pius
“Dutiful, devout, reverent”
17th Century
German
Pietist
“A supporter of Lutheran devotional reform and inward religion”
17th Century
German
Pietismus
“The Pietist movement”
18th Century
English
pietism
“Devotional religious belief or practice emphasizing inner faith over formalism”
Modern English
English
pietism
“A religious emphasis on sincere personal devotion and practical holiness”