Book Review: Great Revivals – When God Moves in Power
Great Revivals - When God moves in Power
As author, Colin Whittaker, explains ‘I am aware that I have only managed to dip my teacup into the boundless oceans of the Holy Spirit’s refreshing‘ the book Great Revivals is a great introduction to some of the major revivals that have occurred in the past centuries. Each chapter provides historic accounts of the various major “Awakenings” located around the world. These included 17 century revivals in places like England and New England (America) involving such figures as Jonathan Edwards, George Whitfield and John Wesley. This third edition of the book has also presented Colin’s delving into more recent revival in places like China, Korea, Indonesia, Africa and Latin America.
Though many prominent events have been recorded, the book wonderfully exposes some of the less well known events. A chapter on the Armenian revival is very telling. In the early 1900s Armenians experienced a great revival of which many involved were soon the unwitting recipients of mass genocide initiated by the neighboring Ottoman Empire. More recently in 1988 Armenia experienced a huge earthquake killing at least 25,000 people but they still hold on to God, “we thank God for sending the earthquake because it has brought much revival to Armenia”. When asked for what relief they needed they asked for Bibles. This book is crammed with challenging examples of people seeking God and wanting his way.
Though I personally believe that the term “revival” has all sorts of connotation and bad baggage there is no doubt that God moves in big ways as people call upon his name. I often wonder if the term would ever have been embraced by the early church apostles? I can imagine straight talking James saying “Revival? Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you!” (James 4) I personally think it is that simple.. maybe we need to make more effort at drawing near to God.
