"I would want to get a precise understanding of what is/was meant by "revival"."- Greg
The best way that I know of to describe revival is by quoting a man named James Stewart. He said, "Revival is the entire church being completely filled (or under the control of) the Holy Spirit." This not only applies to salvation but also applies to the correcting of errors and sin in the church. We never loose our salvation but sometimes we loose sight of the true fellowship and worship of Christ alone. Leaning upon Him for all of our strength and choices concerning our Christian walk.
A point worth noting here: This (being completely filled or under control of )will not happen here so long as man is still corrupt. On my best days, I'm still a liar, cheat, adulterer, and slanderer. My motives always and everywhere are marred by my sinful nature. With all creation, we long for the day this is no longer so...
From what I see in our churches today we have lost sight of the need to have the Holy Spirit in complete control of our lives. I truly believe that this issue has lead the church into a state of huminism and self satisfaction.
Very true....... the 21st century church leans toward humanism and self-satisfaction/gratification.....possibly moreso than any other time in history. This is precisely why we need the <ordinary> means of grace week after week. Much of the 21st century church has done what they criticize Rome of doing.....abandoning the gospel and it's preaching.
I am curious as to what you mean by "the Holy Spirit in complete control of our lives", however. There is a problem with the precious gifts the Anabaptists gave us; the divorce of the work of the Spirit from the Word. The ordinary work of the Spirit is applying the Word preached unto our lives. No (or a socially correct gutted) gospel preached = little for the Spirit to apply.
I wish to comment on a few modern popular folks positions ("camps", if you will), hopefully with due respect:
John Piper/Wayne Grudem- Great men, helpful in many ways to the church, but the charismatic view of gift usage and their idea of what it means to engage the whole person in worship are not necessary to have a real experience of God's work in there lives. I recently heard the White Horse Inn discussing this contrast with Jonathan Edwards' idea of "religious affections". There are often times I'm moved to strong feelings during preaching, the Lord's Supper, and prayer......the ordinary means, but I have no inclination to express it as they would. Maybe I'm just an emotionally challenged curmudgeon....
Young, Restless, Reformed (YRR):
Gladly assuming the title "Young and Restless" indicates to me two things: maturity deficiency in the first case and they haven't been subjected to/instructed in the ordinary means and are chasing after a "deeper experience" in the second. I don't mean that merely being young is to be looked down on or that all young-uns are immature, but there is a reason God instructs older men to teach the younger men, etc..With those first two points insisted upon (Y&R) with all the attending baggage , it seems to me hard to legitimately claim to be Reformed.
The church today is only concerned with what Jesus can do for them and how they can get the most out of this life. Our treasures are in Heaven and Christ alone is our only source of joy in this fallen world. I live in the "Bible belt" and I may be speaking here of just Baptist churches. I have not been in Presbyterian churches so of course I cannot speak for them concerning this matter. It has just been a simple observation that our need today is revival but I honestly think that we must have reformation before we can see it.
Good call.....that is why the "Joel Osteen" "churches" attract so many people......and Presbyterian churches are not exempt from many of the same charges listed above as they have sinners in their pews, too.
