Page 29 - History of Christianity II- Textbook

Study Section 6: Writers of the French Revolution 1694-1784

6.1 Connect
You’ve probably heard of the French Revolution (1789 to 1799). A French doctor named
Joseph Guillotin proposed using an angled blade that would drop from a height and sever the
head of one being executed. He considered that a more humane and almost painless form of
execution. During the French Revolution against the monarchy, the execution of thousands
became a form of entertainment that attracted crowds of spectators. About 2,639 people
were guillotined in Paris, most of them over nine months between 1793 and 1794. Over
50,000 people were shot or died of sickness in prisons.

The French Revolution lasted 10 years. It began on July 14, 1789 when revolutionaries stormed a prison
called the Bastille. The revolution came to an end in 1799 when a general named Napoleon overthrew
the revolutionary government and established the French Consulate with Napoleon as leader.
Why did the French revolt? The people were influenced by the writings of various authors. They
believed what they wrote and acted upon what they believed. Even though their beliefs were not true,
they acted upon them. As a result, thousands died!

Today we will see the sad philosophies that invaded the minds of Europe, but at the same time, see
those who stood for truth as a light in the dark times. Let’s learn together….

6.2 Objectives
1. The student should be able to explain the philosophies of Rousseau and Voltaire and describe
how their ideas lead to the French Revolution.

2. The student should be able to present a biography of John Bunyan and describe how God
mightily used him in bringing people to Christ.

3. The student should be able to describe the Great Awakening and those individuals involved in its
movement.

6.3 Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712-78) –
Jean-Jacques Rousseau was a Genevan philosopher, writer and composer.
His political philosophy influenced the progress of the Enlightenment
throughout Europe, as well as aspects of the French Revolution and the
development of modern political, economic and educational thought.

Jean-Jacques Rousseau strongly believed in the innate goodness of man
and in basic human rights founded upon universal natural law; in addition, he believed
that both rulers and the citizens have natural human rights as well as obligations to
each other which should be bound in a social contract.

His book entitled, Emile, strongly influenced the course of education even today. He developed the idea
of Kindergarten (kinder = child, garten = garden). He believed if you placed a child in a beautiful
environment (a garden), the child would, by his very nature, automatically be inquisitive and learn on his
own. Given the right information, he would develop into a model citizen and contribute greatly toward
the progress of society. He denied the innate sinfulness of man called original sin.

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