Revivalism refers to the belief in experiencing personal spiritual renewal, as well as periods of religious revival in the life of the church. It emphasizes the need for believers to recommit themselves to God and strive for spiritual renewal. Throughout history, there have been various revival movements seeking to revitalize faith and bring individuals, churches, and societies back to a passionate relationship with God.
Biblical Basis for Revivalism
Though the term “revivalism” emerged in the 18th century during the First Great Awakening, the desire and expectation for renewal is rooted in Scripture. Several passages point to the need for revival:
Psalm 85:6 says, “Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you?” This verse is a prayer for God to restore and renew His people, so they may have joy in Him again.
In Habakkuk 3:2, the prophet prays, “O Lord, I have heard the report of you, and your work, O Lord, do I fear. In the midst of the years revive it; in the midst of the years make it known; in wrath remember mercy.” Habakkuk asks for renewal and for God’s work to be made known again among the people.
Isaiah 57:15 says God “revives the spirit of the lowly, and revives the heart of the contrite” showing He desires to renew those who are humble and repentant.
Throughout the Old Testament, prophets like Jeremiah called God’s people to revival, urging them to repent and return to the Lord (Lamentations 5:21). The exile brought a period of spiritual renewal.
Jesus’ ministry reflects revival themes. In Revelation 3:2, Jesus tells the church at Sardis, “Wake up, and strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your works complete in the sight of my God.” He is calling them to spiritual renewal.
Revivalism looks to the day of Pentecost as an example of revival, when the Holy Spirit was poured out on believers who then boldly spread the gospel (Acts 2). Peter called people to repent and be revived: “Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord…” (Acts 3:19-20).
History of Revivalism
Throughout Christian history, there have been waves of revival and renewal seeking to turn societies back toward fervent faith. Key historical revival movements include:
The Continental Pietists in 17th century Germany emphasized personal Bible study and holy living over dry religious formalism. This helped spark renewal.
The First Great Awakening in the American colonies around 1730-1760 featured preachers like Jonathan Edwards and George Whitefield preaching repentance. It saw renewed interest in faith across Protestant denominations.
Early Methodism under John Wesley in the mid-1700s featured field preaching calling for moral reform. This helped ignite the Evangelical Revival in Britain and America.
The Second Great Awakening from about 1790-1840 was characterized by large camp meetings and zealous preaching urging sinners to repent. Preachers like Charles Finney promoted these revivals in frontier America.
The Third Great Awakening from the 1850s to 1900s contained the Holiness movement which taught entire sanctification and the Pentecostal movement which emphasized Holy Spirit baptism. Revivals spread in urban areas and abroad.
The Azusa Street Revival of 1906 in Los Angeles featured early Pentecostals experiencing Spirit baptism, speaking in tongues, healing, and other “sign gifts.” This helped ignite the modern Pentecostal movement and subsequent charismatic renewal.
The East Africa Revival in the late 1920s drew upon evangelism, confession, restitution, and accountability between believers. This model spread to other parts of Africa and beyond.
The Mid-20th Century Revivals following WWII saw revivals break out in North America, Asia, and Africa. Billy Graham led mass evangelistic crusades while renewal occurred in mainline denominations.
The Charismatic Renewal movement beginning in the 1960s crossed denominational lines emphasizing the gifts of the Holy Spirit. This contributed to the Third Wave movement of the 1980s which taught modern exercise of supernatural gifts.
The Brownsville Revival in Pensacola, Florida during the mid-1990s saw an outpouring of fervent praise, repentance, and Spirit baptism in a Assemblies of God congregation, attracting over 4 million visitors.
Current movements like the Toronto Blessing and the River Revival feature spontaneous worship, falling “under the Spirit,” laughing, and other ecstatic experiences pointing to God’s presence among His people.
These historical revivals reflect a common thirst for renewal, revival, and awakening across generations and denominations. They seek to fan the flames of faith when it seems to grow dim.
Key Components of Revivalism
Though each revival movement has its own emphases and characteristics, revivalism tends to highlight:
Repentance – Revival calls believers to repent from sin and turn away from lukewarm faith. There is an emphasis on contrition and spiritual rededication.
Renewed Passion for God – Revival seeks to inflame believers’ passion for Christ through intense preaching, prayer, worship, and testimony. There is a quest for spiritual authenticity.
Holy Spirit – Outpourings of the Holy Spirit represent God’s presence to empower and renew His people. Revival highlights Spirit baptism, gifts, and fruits.
Scripture – God’s Word exposes sin and feeds spiritual renewal. Revivals emphasize personal Bible study, devotional writings, and Scriptural preaching.
Evangelism & Missions – Revivals spread through impassioned evangelism and renewed interest in missions. Revived believers proclaim Christ with fervor.
Stirring Preaching – Much revival preaching warns of sin’s consequences and urges sinners to repent and pursue holiness. It aims to spur spiritual renewal.
Divine Healing – Some revivals emphasize physical healing as a sign of God’s supernatural presence and His desire to renew people spiritually and physically.
Community – Revivals foster renewed fellowship, accountability, and passion in the church community as believers encourage each other in faith.
Social Reforms – Revivals prompt renewed interest in social reforms like ending slavery, fighting poverty, and abstaining from alcohol as part of pursuing holiness.
By calling complacent believers to realize their spiritual need, revivalism seeks to fan the flames of faith for both individuals and the church as a whole.
Criticisms & Concerns Regarding Revivalism
While most Christians celebrate revival, some hold critiques and concerns about potential revival excesses, including:
– Emotional manipulation – Critics sometimes accuse revivals of dangerously stirring emotions through impassioned rhetoric, music, and peer pressure.
– Anti-intellectualism – Rational thought and doctrine may be downplayed in favor of spiritual experience, obscuring biblical truth.
– Sensationalism – Revival movements could seek novel experiences and supernatural signs for their own sake rather than for spiritual edification.
– Elitism – Participants may see themselves as more spiritual than other believers. Revivalism could breed spiritual pride and divisiveness between Christians.
– Neglect of means of grace – In pursuing extraordinary experiences, revivals may downplay steady spiritual growth through prayer, Scripture, worship, sacraments, etc.
– Authoritarian leadership – Revival movements frequently center around prominent preachers and personalities who wield significant influence.
– Countercultural withdrawal – Some revivals spawn communal groups that withdraw from mainstream society which they view as irredeemably corrupt.
– Simplistic theology – Complex doctrines may get oversimplified in pursuit of emotive spiritual experience.
– Difficult to sustain – The enthusiasm of revivals is hard to maintain long-term and translate into stable church growth.
These criticisms remind revivalists to be grounded in Scripture, share power, stay connected to the church, and integrate rational thought and Spirit-led passion.
Evaluating Modern Revivalism
Contemporary Christians acknowledge the need for continual revival but also approach revivals with discernment. Key considerations include:
1) Are beliefs & practices biblical? – Doctrine and conduct should align with Scripture (2 Timothy 3:16).
2) Is there spiritual fruit? – True revival bears fruits of the Spirit like love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).
3) Do leaders & participants show humility and accountability? – Revival should produce true contrition alongside spiritual zeal.
4) Does it fortify the local church? – Revival should strengthen congregations’ worship, fellowship, and witness rather than just garner headlines.
5) Does it foster unity among believers? – It should help unify the diverse Body of Christ in Gospel fundamentals (John 17:23).
6) Are ministries accountable with finances? – Trustworthiness honors God and gives revival integrity.
7) Is it centered on glorifying Christ? – Any revival should make Jesus known, not exalt experience, personalities, or novelty.
As believers pursue spiritual renewal, revivalism remains an important part of church history. When grounded in Scripture and focused on Christ’s glory, revival stirs the church to deeper faith, holiness, and witness. The true measure of any revival is its fruit in making disciples who obey Christ’s teachings (Matthew 28:19-20). With discernment and accountability, may we pray and labor for times offresh awakening across today’s church for God’s glory.