First thing first, defining the term "Revival" is hard as there's so many different views and presumptions of this term alone. Many times we fall into the danger of overusing the word & may have diluted the meaning of what it really means? And I personally admit to this in my earlier journey with the Lord when I didn't fully understand what revival really is.
(Part 1)
Some definitions of Revival
Stuart Piggin
"Revival is a sovereign work of God the heavenly Father, manifesting his glory on the earth. It consists of a powerful intensification by Jesus of the Holy Spirit’s normal activity of testifying to the Saviour, accentuating the doctrines of grace, and convicting, converting, regenerating, and sanctifying large numbers of people at the same time. It is therefore a community experience. It is occasionally preceded by an expectation that God is about to do something exceptional; it is usually preceded by an extraordinary unity and prayerfulness among Christians; and it is always accompanied by the revitalisation of the Church, the conversion of large numbers of unbelievers, and the reduction of sinful practices in the community.”
R.C. Sproul
"Revival describes a renewal of spiritual life, while reformation describes a renewal of the forms and structures of society and culture. It is not possible to have true reformation without first having true revival. The renewal of spiritual life under the power of the Holy Spirit is a necessary condition for reformation but not a sufficient condition for it. Therefore, though it is not possible to have reformation without revival, it is possible to have revival without reformation."
Steve Latham & Andrew Walker
R1: a spiritual quickening of the individual believer.
R2: a deliberate meeting or campaign especially among Pentecostals to deepen the faith of
believers and bring non-believers to faith.
R3: an unplanned period of spiritual enlivening in a local church, quickening believers and bringing unbelievers to faith.
R4: a regional experience of spiritual quickening and widespread conversions, e.g. the Welsh, Hebridean, East African and Indonesian revivals
R5: societal or cultural ‘awakenings’, e.g. the transatlantic First and Second Awakenings.
R6: the possible reversal of secularisation and ‘revival’ of Christianity as such.
Biblical Studies
Acts 2 as a proof text- Deep convction, speaking of tongues, mass conversion etc...
Revival a revitalisation of a church decline? E.g. Revelation 2, to the church of Ephesus.
To Revive or to Be removed?
Dr Martin lloyd-jones will say that "God's sovereignty creates revival"
Historical Studies
Modern Revival movement:
Jonathan Edwards (Calvinistic) & John Wesley (Armenianism) {Categorise as "Old School"}
Jonathan Edwards played a very critical role in shaping the First Great Awakening, and oversaw some of the first fires of revival in 1733–1735 at his church. Edwards's theological work is very broad in scope, but he is often associated with his defense of Reformed theology, the metaphysics of theological determinism, and the Puritan heritage.
John Wesley is largely credited, along with his brother Charles Wesley, as founding the Methodist movement which began when he took to open-air preaching in a similar manner to George Whitefield. In contrast to George Whitefield's Calvinism, Wesley embraced the Arminian doctrines that were dominant in the 18th-century Church of England. Methodism in both forms was a highly successful evangelical movement in the United Kingdom, which encouraged people to experience Jesus Christ personally.
Charles Finney {categorise as "New School"}Finney was most active as a revivalist 1825-35 and was known for his innovations in preaching and religious meetings. His innovations included having women pray in public meetings of mixed gender, development of the "anxious seat", a place where those considering becoming Christians could come to receive prayer, and public censure of individuals by name in sermons and prayers. He was also known for his use of extemporaneous preaching.
"Interposition of Divine power" His critics wld say: Finney demystified revivals by making them humanly reproducible.
In his defence: Finney's humility of saying that anyone can lead this too with simple principles.
A Comparison he made: Revival (Old School) & Revivalism (New School)
Revival- Waiting for God's Santification
Revivalism- Human Agency (e.g. Altar call, responding to God immediately, "Anxious Seat")
Surprising Post-revival Effects: The Welsh revival was not an isolated religious movement but very much a part of Britain's modernization. The revival began in the fall of 1904 under the leadership of Evan Roberts (1878–1951). The revival lasted less than a year, but in that period 100,000 converts were made.
WatchMan Nee: The Latent Power of the Soul
- Spiritual Excitment
- Jumping, Laughing, tongues, healing etc.
"Gain been rather trivial, lost has been rather large"- Watchman Nee
Sociological Studies
The Revival & Enlightenment in the 18th Century.
One such e.g is Azusa Street Revival was a historic Pentecostal revival meeting led by William J. Seymour, an African American preacher.The revival was characterized by ecstatic spiritual experiences accompanied by miracles, dramatic worship services, speaking in tongues, and what was distinct about them was the breaking of racial barriers where a mixture of ethnic groups start coming together.
Psychological Studies
-William James, The Varieties of Religious Experience: A Study in Human Nature
-The recent movement of the 4/14 Window refers to the demographic group from age four to fourteen years old, which is the most open and receptive to every form of spiritual and developmental input.
-Gustave Le Bon study on Psychology of crowds- Herd crowds can intensified emotion, collective wisdom.
Conclusion
It is clear that the Trinune God has, time to time, acted in great power to revive the Church. The Word "revival" variously used & understood. Academic & scientific study of revival is helpful & neccessary. It will tell useful parts of the Story. The Church needs to respond to revivals in a way that is biblical, realistic & practical to a church
(Part 2)
Case study: The "Toronto" Blessing
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hWArnaPf2b8&feature=related
It began when Randy Clark, Rodney howard led this movement which led to the increase in the church from 128 to 1000 within a year.The blessing has become known for ecstatic worship, including what is known as falling or resting in the Spirit, laughter, shaking, and crying. "Holy laughter" was a hallmark manifestation and there were also instances of participants roaring like lions. Another "manifestation of the spirit" encountered at these meetings was a gesture commonly called "crunching" consisting of a vomit-like heaving to "cleanse" and "release" negative experiences. Leaders and participants claim that these are physical manifestations of the Holy Spirit's presence and power.
Distinguishing Marks of a Work of the Spirit of God by
Jonathan Edwards
(1703-1758)
"1 Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. 2 This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, 3 but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world.
4 You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. 5 They are from the world and therefore speak from the viewpoint of the world, and the world listens to them. 6 We are from God, and whoever knows God listens to us; but whoever is not from God does not listen to us. This is how we recognize the Spirit[a] of truth and the spirit of falsehood." 1 John 4:1-5
The 9 Indifferent Signs (Neutral views, one cannot base this 9 signs if its from God or not)
1) The presence of unusual & extraordinary workings
2) Involuntary bodily movements
3) Much talk about Christian Faith
4) Presence of Intense religious emotions
5) Example is a great means
6) Rash acts & Unconvetional conduct
7) Errors in judgement & delusions of Satan
8) Some fall away into gross erros & scandalous practuces
9) Passionate preaching about well & its terrors
*5 Distinguishing Mark of True Revival
1) JESUS IS EXALTED (1 Cor 12:3)
2) DEEP CONCIOUSNESS OF SIN & NEED FOR SALVATION
3) THE BIBLE IS EXALTED AS THE WORD OF GOD
4) SOUND DOCTRINE IS TAUGHT & PROMOTED (1 John 4:6)
5) LOVE GOD & MAN IS PROMTED (1 Corinthians 13)
Some interesting thoughts of how technological advancement over the years cause various revivals?
- The invention of "Roman paths" - Led to Early Church Movements
- The invention of "Prints"- Led to the Reformation
- The invention of "Internet"- "Virtual Revival" next???
How would a revival look like today?
SOCIAL CONTEXT & ENVIRONMENT
Revival in different forms in different contexts in the past.
E.g. Scottish Revival in 1859 was in City, Rural & Fishing villages.
Korea (had early morning Prayer), Africa had mass rallies.
Rise in Emergent Churches today...
Emergent Focus on
-Community
-Experience
-Love
Conclusion
God has acted in history & continues to act to bring about revival in among & through His people. In the current postmdern social & technological advancements, a revival may take on additional flavours.
