“Unlike the First Great Awakening, led by such figures as Jonathan Edwards and George Whitfield, the Second Great Awakening that the Cane Ridge Revival began was more raucous and freewheeling. Some admirers of that quality call it a sign of the Holy Spirit. Others attribute it to a triumph of entrepreneurism” - MinistryWatch
“Revivalism affected (and infected) everyone: evangelicals, fundamentalists, Pentecostals, and others. Plenty of fundamentalists, however, did not, and do not, accept revivalism. Nor should Calvinism be seen as the panacea to every problem revivalism produces.” - David de Bruyn
“The Bible does teach the need for God’s gracious intervention to change the spiritual apathy in His people: sometimes individually, and sometimes corporately.” - P&D
“Unless we challenge our hearers to respond to God’s Word, we’ve only given them biblical information without telling them what to do with it … . Whether you prefer the term ‘response’ or ‘invitation,’ consider 5 ways to help your listeners respond to the Word.” - Chuck Lawless
Some years ago, I was visiting a small rural church in Michigan where a preacher delivered a message on revival. His text was Genesis 26:18.
And Isaac digged again the wells of water, which they had digged in the days of Abraham his father; for the Philistines had stopped them after the death of Abraham.
(From Think on These Things. Read Part 1.)
If the Scriptures do not encourage us to seek revival, what does it say on the subject? In the Old Testament we find several references to being revived. The word that is sometimes translated “revive” or “revived” is found two hundred thirty-four times in the Old Testament and it means to give life, make alive, and give new life, depending upon the context.
In Psalm 119 we find this word for “revive” used several times in the context of spiritual renewal. On at least twelve occasions the psalmist prays to be revived. That is, an invitation to renew or make alive the spiritual passions and desires of a believer. By studying these examples we can find the biblical marks or characteristics of a spiritually alive person:
(Originally published at Think on These Things, January 2001)
Revival is hot right now. If you read any Christian literature, especially magazines, listen to Christian radio or watch Christian TV, you know this is a subject that is on the front burner of evangelicalism.
