Old_Trapper70
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Dec 17, 2014
- Messages
- 2,383
Once again we hear the clarion call from the amoral, or even immoral, “religious” right for national revival. My first response is we need to see such in the pulpit before we will see it in the pew. When the leaders of this “movement” feel morally justified to support a person who is an unrepentant pathological liar, serial adulterer, financial cheat, and a coward, then yes, there is a need for repentance, and for revival. However, it will not begin on the streets, and with the current leadership it will not begin in the “church”.
In the early 1700‘s America saw its first “Great Awakening” with repentance, conversion, and the beginnings of a moral country. We had preachers such as Jonathan Edwards, and George Whitefield, men of honor, and moral character.
Then in the late 1700‘s there was need for yet another “revival”, and numerous “traveling” preachers (the circuit rider) answered the call. We also saw the growth of new denominations like the Baptists, and Methodists, which outgrew the old churches (Presbyterian, Anglican, etc.). Today they are still the biggest Protestant denominations in America.Then there were new religious groups, like the Shakers, Seventh Day Adventists, and the Latter-Day Saints (commonly called Mormons). There was the birth of the “camp meeting”, “log bench” church’s, and thousands were again saved.
Within less then two decades later there was the need for yet another “revival”, the “Second Great Awakening”, and preachers such as Charles Finney answered the call. From this came other greats such as Dwight Moody, and Billy Sunday. And again millions repented, and were saved.
Then we had Asuza Street. Prechers such as Frank Bartleman, Joseph Smale, and Neely Terry, came forth, and answered the call to serve God, and Christ.
What do all of these have in common? They all involved cataclysmic events. The revolution, the Civil War, the earthquake of 1906. Similarly we saw a “revival” following the attack of 911. However, it did not take hold as previous revivals did. Why?
One reason is that in times past the preachers who came forth did not come forth for glory, or to earn wealth. In fact, like the Founding Fathers, many gave up lucrative careers to follow the lead of Christ. And, perhaps another reason is that things just are not bad enough yet for people to feel they need Christ. Perhaps the “prosperity” teachers have won the day. Perhaps it is just as simple of a reason as to know that Christ does not rule over the “leaders” of the “church”, manna does.
In the early 1700‘s America saw its first “Great Awakening” with repentance, conversion, and the beginnings of a moral country. We had preachers such as Jonathan Edwards, and George Whitefield, men of honor, and moral character.
Then in the late 1700‘s there was need for yet another “revival”, and numerous “traveling” preachers (the circuit rider) answered the call. We also saw the growth of new denominations like the Baptists, and Methodists, which outgrew the old churches (Presbyterian, Anglican, etc.). Today they are still the biggest Protestant denominations in America.Then there were new religious groups, like the Shakers, Seventh Day Adventists, and the Latter-Day Saints (commonly called Mormons). There was the birth of the “camp meeting”, “log bench” church’s, and thousands were again saved.
Within less then two decades later there was the need for yet another “revival”, the “Second Great Awakening”, and preachers such as Charles Finney answered the call. From this came other greats such as Dwight Moody, and Billy Sunday. And again millions repented, and were saved.
Then we had Asuza Street. Prechers such as Frank Bartleman, Joseph Smale, and Neely Terry, came forth, and answered the call to serve God, and Christ.
What do all of these have in common? They all involved cataclysmic events. The revolution, the Civil War, the earthquake of 1906. Similarly we saw a “revival” following the attack of 911. However, it did not take hold as previous revivals did. Why?
One reason is that in times past the preachers who came forth did not come forth for glory, or to earn wealth. In fact, like the Founding Fathers, many gave up lucrative careers to follow the lead of Christ. And, perhaps another reason is that things just are not bad enough yet for people to feel they need Christ. Perhaps the “prosperity” teachers have won the day. Perhaps it is just as simple of a reason as to know that Christ does not rule over the “leaders” of the “church”, manna does.
