Revival And Revivalism
The Making and Marring of American Evangelicalism 1750 - 1858
| Weight | 0.67 kg |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 22.3 × 14.3 × 3.2 cm |
| binding | Cloth-bound |
| format | Book |
| page-count | 480 |
| isbn | 9780851516608 |
| Original Pub Date | 1994 |
| Banner Pub Date | Jul 1, 1994 |
ENDORSEMENT
‘In Revival & Revivalism Iain H. Murray has produced yet another historical study of outstanding quality. This is not merely a record of the church’s past. Rather, those who read it will soon realize that it provides a key to understanding contemporary evangelicalism and its deep needs. It may not be too much to claim that this volume is essential reading for Christians who desire true revival in the churches of our own day.’ — DR. SINCLAIR B. FERGUSON
Book Description
Marrying careful historical research to popular and relevant presentation, Revival and Revivalism traces the spiritually epoch-making events of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries through the eyes of those who lived at their centre.
Fundamental to the book’s thesis is a rejection of the frequent identification of ‘revival’ with ‘revivalism’. The author demonstrates that a common understanding of the New Testament idea of revival was prevalent in most denominations throughout the period 1750-1858. Revivalism, on the other hand, is different both in its origin and in its tendencies. Its ethos is mancentred and its methods too close to the manipulative to require a supernatural explanation.
Iain Murray argues that an inability to recognize this distinction has led many to ignore the new and different teaching on evangelism and revival which began to be popularized in the 1820s. While the case against that teaching was argued almost universally by the leaders of the Second Great Awakening their testimony was submerged beneath propaganda which promised a ‘new era’ if only the churches would abandon the older ways.
Today, when that propaganda is largely discredited, there is a great need to rediscover the earlier understanding of revival possessed by those who most intimately experienced it. Revival and Revivalism will do much to aid this rediscovery. Powerfully presented, it contains a message of major importance for contemporary Christians.
Table of Contents Expand ↓
| Illustrations | ix | |
| Preface | xi | |
| Introduction | xiii | |
| 1 | Samuel Davies and the Meaning of ‘Revival’ | 1 |
| 2 | Princeton and the First Fruits of ‘A Glorious Plan’ | 33 |
| 3 | Glory in Virginia | 61 |
| 4 | When Theology Took Fire | 89 |
| 5 | The Age of the Second Great Awakening | 111 |
| 6 | Kentucky: 1800 | 143 |
| 7 | The Emergence of Revivalism | 161 |
| 8 | Five Leaders in the Northeast | 191 |
| 9 | ‘New Measures’ and Old Revivals? | 223 |
| 10 | Origins of a Great Division | 253 |
| 11 | ’The Illusion of a New Era’ | 275 |
| 12 | The Baptists in Transition | 299 |
| 13 | James Waddel Alexander and the New York Awakening of 1857-58 | 329 |
| 14 | Old and New, Past and Future | 355 |
| APPENDICES | ||
| 1: Revivalism in Britain | 391 | |
| 2: Revivals in the South | 415 | |
| Title Index | 425 | |
| General Index | 435 |
Review
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Subtitled ‘The Making and Marring of American Evangelicalism 1750–1858’, this book traces the spiritually epoch-making events of the 18th and 19th centuries and rejects the frequent identification of ‘revival’ with ‘revivalism’. 480pp.
David J. Harris –
I have always been bothered by the thought that men in the 20th and 21st centuries have worn the hat of “revivalist,” as if they could start a revival anywhere they go. I saw revival as something so obscure in its meaning, and so artificial in its methods, that I doubted its very existence, regarding the Awakenings as simply man-made circuses with a religious flavor, when revivalists had more success than they do today. I arrived at the conclusion that true revival must not exist.
I had no idea that this idea of man-made revival (revivalism) was a fairly new concept, and that in days gone by, men that rejected it as false embraced something else as true revival. This is what I discovered as I read the first chapters of Iain Murray’s “Revival and Revivalism.” I realized what I had known as revival was actually revivalism.
In a nutshell, revivalism holds that through methods and personality, a person can bring ‘revival’ anywhere he goes, anytime he chooses. This idea came to be during and after the Awakenings, when men wanted to start movements like these in their own power. Revival, on the contrary, holds that the sovereign God chooses to expand the Spirit’s influence at certain times, resulting in mass conversions and spiritual growth of believers. Though He always uses the preaching of the Word, it is still not a predictable event, since personality, high-pressure methods, and emotional hysteria do not change the fact that revival only comes when God, of His own volition, chooses to bestow it.
Is revival a work of man, or a work of God? Before you answer, you should read Murray’s work on the subject. You will not be disappointed.
Bill Karbach –
One of the most important books I have ever read.
Adam –
This is a skillfully researched, pastorally-minded book. Not only is the very detailed history of revival and revivalism interesting, but Murray continually draws conclusions for pastors and lay people to think through about our church’s worship and evangelism. If anything, this book made me think through *how* I share the open invitation for unbelievers to embrace Christ by faith in the gospel. There is a lot of cultural baggage that comes with modern-day evangelism that is traced through and explained in this book, and Murray does a great job at helping his reader think through conversion biblically.
J. Michael Considine, Jr. –
I am inspired by this book to fulfill the great commission. Of course we desire revival but we desire to learn from history, seek to bring about fruit that lasts and avoid man-centered revivalism. Only God can bring about revival. But we are called to be faithful.
Titus –
I read this shortly after reading Calhoun’s two volumes on Princeton Seminary and the two-volume set Princeton and the Work of the Christian Ministry, ed. James M. Garretson. This deepened my appreciate for Old Princeton (and for Banner of Truth!), my sorrow for the damage done by Finney and his methods, and my love for Christ’s Bride. Highly recommended.