Charles G.

Finney, What a Revival of Religion Is

 The purpose of the revival was to change the individual and society. What does
Finney fear in American society? What changes does he expect as a result of the
revivals?
 What does Finney mean by ” excitement”? Why would this concept bother other
ministers?

I chose the document is ” What a Revival of Religion Is” by Charles G. Finney who was
one of the most important evangelicals in the second great awakening, which is the religion
reformation from the Protestant revival fervor that found expression. This movement
expressed the stressing emotional religious style in which the new middle class - an
outgrowth of the Industrial Revolution particularly they found the sympathy for Finney’s
message. And the enslavement; sinner could bring about their own salvation. ( OpenStax
13.1)

I think Finney feared the church is sunk down in a backslidden State. It causes the
Protestant to give up the revival.Because Christian obstructed the reformation and
salvation. At that age, people became chaos and timidity under the Christian’s control. They
need to build up their conviction of sin. especially heathen and people among the manifold
subject could not getting out the hole. They need to bring their own belief which likes to
listen to guide them.

Finney expected the church encompasses all of the people whatever they are heathen,
the sinner; Harlots and drunkards. The heathen starting of obedience to God. The sinner
deeply repented. In the bottom of human society - the worst part could get heart warm and
reclaimed. They like to persuade their companions to love God, never afraid their
neighbors laugh. People love God and give God’s love to other people.He wrote “They will
be in agony for individuals whom they want to have saved; their friends, relations, enemies.
They will not only be urging them to give their hearts to God, but they will carry them to
God in the arms of faith, and with strong crying and tears beseech God to have mercy on
them, and save their souls from endless burnings.”
 ”The excitement, ” I think the people whoever the writers and thinkers devoted to the
faith renewed, as well as the reactions against it, created a trove of writings and by
education and itinerant minister preached the message of the awakening to a hundred of
the listener at an outdoor revival meeting. In fact, missionaries circuit riders brought the
message of the awakening across the United States, including into the lives of
slaves.( OpenStax 13.3)

I think other ministers bothered the charm of the world and the power of sin by
Christians against the revival. Because Christians caught out some of errors instances to
demonstrate the revival which was the evils. It would danger of religion.Here, Finney
confirmed those errors have happened, also he emphasized those evils are incidental,
which didn’t let them give up the revival. To compare with the great effort – The
government established the independent black Protestant church in the United States in
1790, those evils did not affect the salvation of the whole world.

Reference:

OpenStax Chapter 13

http://xroads.virginia.edu/~Hyper/DETOC/religion/finney1.html