Revival and Revivalism

Rating:
Summary: Strong on problem of Revivalism/weak on Unionism
Review: I came across this book providentually on my Pastors coffee table waiting for a ride to a Church we were to visit. The title has caught my eye since I had done some study in American religious history. I was familiar with the split Charles Finney had caused in American Evangelism...but not on the details. When I started the book...I knew I had to get my own copy.
It is the best treatment of the subject...focusing on the Old Method....the cultural changes in America..the rise of New Divinity and the development of the New Method's.
The weakness of the book is with not dealing with how "unionism"... the cooperation of Calvinist Presbyterians and Baptist with Arminian Episcopalians, Free-will Baptist and Methodist in their Churches...he calls "catholicity of spirit" lead to the overthrow of Calvinism that was effective in bringing in true revival by focusing on preaching the Word and letting the Holy Spirit do His work upon the hearts of the unregenerated. This opened the door for Revivalism.
Finney was not the fountain of the New Methods....but he was the most influentual to implement them and to assume any questioning of the methods as "quenching the Holy Spirit."

It will get you started on studying more on American Christian History


Rating:
Summary: Murray does it again.
Review: Iain Murray once again has done a marvelous work by his juxtaposition of genuine revival and man made attempts at revivalism. He carefully traces the history of such human inventions and carefully treads along a rather slippery slope. Murray is unafraid to go counter to much public opinion.I consider myself a reformed pentecostal and I am aware that my position is quite tenuous. However I concur with Murray's finding and advocate his position. Truth may cause sentimental ideas to crumble but it will not destroy a genuine work of God. This well written tome should be read by all who are interested in revival. Even if one does not believe in revival for today, this book is a wonderful piece relating to church history.

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Summary: False "revivals" vs. the real thing--an excellent analysis
Review: This book is a must-read for anyone interested in decisional theology--from either side of the issue. If you've wondered about the "strategy" of Campus Crusade, about Billy Graham's percentage of truly born-again converts, about how Calvinistic theology deals with evangelism, about whether you're born again if you "decide" for Christ and walk down an aisle one day (and go on living just as before), about fruitless Christians, about preachers who don't preach, about manufactured revivals (e.g., the "Toronto blessing"), you need to read this book. It's steeped in history, great quotes, and inspiring historical analyis. It left me with a deep sense of sadness at what a superficial, misguided job most evangelical churches and preachers do in raising up the standard of Christ. It deals with fundamental errors of our times--cheap grace, superficial Christianity and the failure to preach the law and the gospel. I've been a Christian 25 years or so. I read all the time. This is one of the 3 most important books I've read; it changed my outlook on fundamental things.

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Summary: An excellent critique of modern revivalism
Review: This is an excellent book, having major implication both in my personal life and in the church at large. He chronicles the rise of "revivalism" and its attendant effects on the church both then and now. Read it to understand the failure of the modern day church to truly experience revival, having substituted it for a sham emotional, pie-in-the-sky experience that can be produced at will. You will also understand some of the deleterious effects that Charles Finney's ministry had, along with the effects that it continues to have. This book was an eye-opener to me, and I highly recommend it for your consideration.