Church
History
Course: History of
Modern Missions
Section Three: The
Beginning of the Modern Missionary Movement
Lesson 4
Lesson Title:
The Evangelical Revival
Title: George Whitefield (1714-1770) and John Wesley (1703-1791)
Text: 2 Timothy 4:1 - 'Preach the Word in season and out of season'.
Introduction: The preaching of the gospel
during the 18th century had huge impact upon the nation spiritually
and socially. Some historians claim that
'the only reason
Conditions
in
Gospel was not preached in the churches.
Morality preached but low standard in society
Church was asleep.
Philosophy of John Locke (1632-1704) promoted moral Christianity and Unitarianism.
Locke ‘The Reasonableness of Christianity’ (1695) - being a Christian is having faith in Christ and living a good life.
Locke upheld that faith and reason were compatible.
John Toland (1670-1722) attacked the Church for being 'mysterious' (superstitious) in his treatise, 'Christianity not mysterious' (1696).
Toland attacked the Roman Catholic belief in transubstation and other teachings such as the doctrine of the trinity.
Matthew Tindal (1657-1733) ‘Christianity as old as the Creation’ (1730)
Anglicans
and Dissenters (Non conformists)
The Non Conformists were the followers of those who would not conform to the Act of Conformity (1662) and had been ejected from the Anglican Church.
Over 2000 were ejected.
See Dr. Martyn Lloyd Jones booklet 'From Puritanism to Nonconformity', 1962.
Given higher standing through the 'Glorious Revolution' (1688)
The Non Conformists did not come form the 'poor class'.
Main
Points:
The
Ministries of John Wesley and George Whitefield
Wesley and Whitefield were both ordained Anglican ministers.
They remained ordained ministers all their lives.
1. It was seen to be necessary to preach
wherever people could be reached and not just in Church buildings.
Where did they preach?
Wesley wrote a journal from 1735-1790
Whitefield only kept a journal during the early years of his ministry.
Whitefield would preach anywhere
See Whitefield's journal April 1739 - preached in Churchyard
Preached in the open air.
Wesley led into open air preaching by Whitefield.
Preached at the societies
Whitefield's journal preached in societies.
Compare Holy Club -
Reached the poor classes.
2. Emphasis was placed upon the doctrine of the
new birth.
What did they preach?
Anglican Churches opposed preaching of Wesley and Whitefield.
Preached need for new birth.
Preached in language understood by the people.
Clear message.
Whitefield had no interest in denominations
Willing to preach anywhere.
Comment made to Scots - said he would preach to the pope if he was given the opportunity.
3. The need to train lay preachers which gave
greater opportunities for church members to be used in ministry.
Wesley was the great organiser.
Organised meetings based upon society meetings.
Holy Club
Moravians - small meeting in
Wesley appointed lay preachers
See Ryle pages 100-101.
Rules for lay preachers.
Summary:
The results of the Evangelical Revival were
1. It was seen to be necessary to preach wherever people could be reached and not just in Church buildings.
2. Emphasis was placed upon the doctrine of the new birth.
3. The need to train lay preachers which gave greater opportunities for church members to be used in ministry.
The 19th century saw a great emphasis upon foreign missions and produced the need for ordinary Christians to go to the mission field.
Abolition of the Slave Trade - Wilberforce
Prison reform
Reform of education.
Impact
of the Missionary Movement
The Church in
The Word of God was well planted in
Has God allowed communism to keep
Believers will become strong through persecution but worldly prosperity robs the Church of power.
Materialism is a greater danger to the true Church than persecution.