Is this (finally) a true revival?
Is this (finally) a true revival?
By John Stonestreet, Op-ed contributor
Shalom,
... Afterwards, on social media posts, people described returning to church, attending for the first time, recommitting their lives to follow Christ, or declaring a long-concealed faith.
Many people are describing the memorial and its aftermaths as an indication of revival. That makes sense, given that church attendance is on the rise, especially among younger Americans.
...There is also the "Quiet Revival" in the U.K., public baptisms at colleges and universities (some of which, most notably at Ohio State University, are hosted by the football team), the awakening at Asbury University, and the much-discussed "vibe shift" across various aspects of American culture. Is "revival" the correct word for what we are witnessing? If so, what should we be doing? How now shall we live?
Perhaps no figure in history is better suited to advise on these matters than Jonathan Edwards, perhaps America's greatest intellect and someone who played a critical role in America's First Great Awakening. Even more, he studied the awakening, sought to understand and describe it, and to discern between revival and its excesses.
As a New England colonial preacher, Edwards was grieved by the spiritual deadness he sensed around him. In response, he spent much time praying and working in expectation that God would eventually bring revival. In 1731, Edwards preached a series of sermons that turned dozens and eventually hundreds to the Lord. He was both witness to this awakening and its most important chronicler, hoping to help the Church recognize signs of the Holy Spirit moving among a people.
In The Distinguishing Marks of a Work of the Spirit of God, Edwards identified five marks of true revival, which can also help us evaluate this current moment. First, Edwards wrote, a true revival is focused on the person and work of Jesus Christ. The Spirit always glorifies Christ, rather than human leaders or emotional experiences. "If the Spirit's work in the hearts and lives of people brings about greater reverence for Jesus Christ," wrote Edwards, "then we can rightly say that it is from the Spirit of God."
Second, Edwards noted that "[t]he man who has an awakened conscience is the least likely to be deceived of any man in the world." In other words, true revival always opposes evil, allowing the once blind to recognize Satan's work more clearly. People are led away from sin and toward righteousness, humility, and godliness. This requires that there is a clear call to repentance.
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