Required reading
The Great Awakening: A history of the revival of religion in the time of Edwards & Whitefield by Joseph Tracy (Available from Amazon or free here) - Commence Chapter 18 (The controversy in Massachusetts) by reading up to the paragraph beginning 'In such a state of things as these specimens indicate, Whitefield returned to New England'.
My summary
Today we learn about the situation in Massachusetts before Whitefield's return.
The focus is again on the two opinions from Christians regarding the revivals.
Firstly there are those who condemn the revivals both in their preaching and their publications. Some even associate the revivals with the French Prophets.
But there are also the publications of Edwards circulating which uphold the revivals as the work of the Holy Spirit.
We also learn about the divisions that occur in some of the churches as congregations are disgruntled with the opinion of their ministers on the revivals.
What grabbed me
I found this comment by Tracy most insightful: 'Edwards admits and censures the evils that prevailed, but dwells upon the good that had been accomplished, concludes the work to be from the Spirit of God and encourages solicitude for its continuance. Chauncy admits that good had been done, but represents the evil as predominant, and wishes the "commotion" at an end. Neither of them, however, gives any definite estimate of the amount either of the good or the evil that had been done ; so that, even on that point, there is no explicit contradiction between them. Nor is there any very important difference in the rules by which they would judge of the genuineness of a revival. The real parting point between them was never made the subject of discussion, and perhaps was not distinctly seen by either.'
Ironically, there was more agreement between the two parties than they may have realised.
Next week's reading
Continue Chapter 18 (The controversy in Massachusetts) by reading up to the paragraph beginning 'Next came the "The Sentiments and Resolution of an Association of Ministers, convened at Weymouth, January 15, 1745, concerning the Revelation. Mr. George Whitefield."'.
Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.
No comments:
Post a Comment