Jesus movement

Jezusbeweging houdt optocht in Amsterdam, Bestanddeelnr 925-5016

Barry McGuire at the 3 day Music & Alternatives festival, New Zealand 1979.

Keithgreen

Jesus Movement

The Jesus Movement was a Christian evangelical revival that originated in the late 1960s and early 1970s in the United States, and had a significant cultural and spiritual impact during that era. It primarily spread among the youth of the time, drawing in those disenchanted with the traditional church establishment and the prevailing counterculture. The movement emphasized a return to the teachings of Jesus Christ, communal living, and a direct, personal relationship with God, bypassing the formal structure of the church.

Origins and Development

The Jesus Movement began on the West Coast of the United States, particularly in California, as a fusion of the countercultural trends of the 1960s and evangelical Christianity. It was partly a reaction against the materialism, institutionalism, and perceived spiritual emptiness of the established churches. Many of its followers were former hippies or part of the broader countercultural movement who sought deeper meaning in life, finding it in Jesus Christ.

Beliefs and Practices

Central to the Jesus Movement was the belief in an imminent Second Coming of Jesus Christ and the importance of a personal, experiential faith that contrasted with the more liturgical and creedal emphasis of traditional denominations. Followers, often referred to as "Jesus People" or "Jesus Freaks," typically adopted a simple lifestyle, communal living, and engaged in street evangelism to spread their message.

Baptism by immersion and the sharing of testimonies were common practices. Music played a significant role in the movement, leading to the birth of Contemporary Christian Music (CCM) and the Jesus Music genre, which blended popular music styles with Christian lyrics to reach a wider audience.

Impact

The Jesus Movement had a considerable influence on the development of modern evangelical Christianity. It contributed to the growth of non-denominational churches and Christian fellowships, which emphasized a personal relationship with God and the authority of the Bible. The movement also had a lasting impact on Christian music, paving the way for the contemporary worship music that is prevalent in churches worldwide today.

Legacy

While the Jesus Movement faded in prominence by the late 1970s, its legacy continues in various forms within Christianity. It helped to catalyze the rise of the Charismatic Movement within traditional denominations and fostered a greater openness to new forms of worship and expression in the church. The movement's emphasis on personal faith and social action continues to influence Christian communities and ministries around the world.

See Also

• Evangelicalism
• Charismatic Movement
• Contemporary Christian Music
• Christianity in the United States

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