The Great Awakening

A Colonial Source to U. S. Identity

Books To Read

Thomas S. Kidd, Jon Butler, Sydney E. Ahlstrom, Rhys Isaac

The Great Awakening

• Series of Religious Revivals from 1730s through 1760s.• Sources—Continental Pietism, Scots-Irish

Presbyterianism, Anglo-American Puritanism.• Outcomes—protean Evangelicalism; Baptists and

Methodists movements.• Outcomes—ambiguous challenge to and affirmation of the

social and ecclesiastical orders• Outcomes—encouraged Democratic tenor in British North

America• Responses—Anti-revivalists; moderate evangelicals;

radical evangelicals

Manifestations

• Theodorus Jacobus Frelinghuysen (1691-1747)• Dutch Calvinist—ministered in New Jersey’s

Raritan Valley.• emphasized pietism, conversion, repentance, strict

moral standards, private devotions, excommunication, and church discipline

• Brought revivalism to middle colonies and worked closely with Gilbert Tennent.

Manifestations

• Jonathan Edwards (1703-1758)• Northampton, Mass., revival—1734 (reality

of sin and sovereignty of God in salvation)• “A Narrative of the Surprising Work of

God” (1736)• “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God”

(1741)• Affirmation of Revivalism

Manifestations

• George Whitefield (1714-1770)

• Parish minister in Savannah in 1738

• Grand Itinerant (1739)

• Benjamin Franklin printed his sermons

• Emphasis on “New Birth” (John 3:1-8)

• Moderate Calvinism/Revivalism

Manifestations

• Gilbert Tennent (1703-1764)

• “On the Dangers of an Unconverted Ministry”

• Extended the work of the Log College (forerunner of Princeton University) in ministerial education.

Manifestations

• Samuel Davies (1723-1761)• Educated in Pennsylvania and licensed to preach

as a dissenting minister in Virginia• Converted many Anglicans to Presbyterianism—

emphasis on New Birth• Converted slaves in 1750s in Va.• Ran afoul of Establishment• With Tennent, traveled to England to raise money

to bail out the fledgling Princeton University

Freylinghuysen, Edwards,Whitfield, Tennent, Davies

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Middle Colonies Course of Awakening

• 1720’s: Theodore Fruelinghausen

N. New Jersey Dutch pastor – Rariton River Valley

• He noticed some of his Deacons were becoming

converted

• New Brunswick, NJ – Presbyterians

William Tennent and his Irish sons

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William Tennent

• 1673-1745

• Presbyterian evangelist

• Log College

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Northern Course of Awakening

• 1734-37: Connecticut River Valley -

Congregationalists: Northampton to the Atlantic

• Died down for 3 years

• Enflamed under Whitefield:

Boston, Salem, Portsmouth, all of New England

• Leadership and writings of Jonathan Edwards

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“Evangelicalism”• Premise: conversion, “new birth”

• Puritans: public profession

• 1730s, 40s: “Awakenings” Colonies, England, Wales, Scotland

• Mass conversions, open air preaching of the Word

• Split churches: “New Lights/New Side” vs. “Old Lights/Old Side”

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Southern Course of Awakening

• Presbyterians in N. Virginia

• Baptists (Separate Congregationalists) in

New England (Connecticut) expands to

Separate Baptists in N. Carolina

• From 6,000 – 20,000 in 3 years, foundation of

Southern Baptists

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Baptists

• In America since

17th century

• Galvanized by

Great Awakening

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The 3 W’s

Whitefield

EdWards Wesley

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George Whitefield

• 1714 - 1770• In 1738 made 1st of

7 visits to the America• Ordained Anglican• “Great Itinerant”• Member of Wesley’s Oxford

“Holy Club”• Popular as G. Washington• Huge crowds: 30,000

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Preaching in the Field

• Collapsible Field pulpit

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The New Birth

• John 3:1-8

• Whitefield: “How this glorious Change is wrought in the Soul cannot easily be explained."

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Ben Franklin on Whitefield

• Heard Whitefield

preach in Colonies &

England:

• Philadelphia Hall

• Georgia orphanage

• Size of crowds

• Pleased with discourse

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John Wesley

• 1703 - 1791

• “a brand plucked

from the burning”

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Wesley vs. WhitefieldSon of Anglican rector Son of tavern keeper

Strict religious upbringing Worldly influences

Conversion: Aldersgate, 35 Oxford, 21

Preaching: Intellectual, doctrinal Dramatic, emotional

Arminian (semi-Augustinian) Calvinistic

Exceptional organizer Exceptional preacher

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Methodism

• Hierarchical

• Episcopal

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Methodists: Francis Asbury

• 1745-1816

• Leader in

2nd Great Awakening

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Jonathan Edwards

• 1703-1758

• Interpreter of and

apologist for the

Great Awakening

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First Churches, Northampton

• Fifth Meeting House

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Jonathan Edwards

In memory of Jonathan EdwardsMinister of Northampton

From Feb 15, 1727 to June 22, 1750

“The law of truth was in his mouth, and iniquity was not found in his lips: he walked with me in peace

and equity, and did turn many away from iniquity”

Malachi 2:6

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Sinners in the

Hands of an

Angry God.

Enfield, July 8,

1741

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Revival of Northampton

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Jonathan Edwards, A Life

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“Denominationalism”

• Primary expression of American Christianity, post 1740’s

• Based, in part, on freedom to differ

• Denomination vs. Sect

• Inclusive vs. Exclusive

• The true church cannot be identified with any single ecclesiastical structure

• Seed planted by Reformers: not of bishops but of believers

• Architected by Congregationalists at Westminster Assembly

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Effects of the Great Awakening

• 80% of Americans unified in common understanding of Christian life and faith

• Dissent/dissenters enjoyed greater respect: Baptists, Methodists, Presbyterians

• Emphasis on education: Univ. of Penn, UNC

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Effects of the Great Awakening, cont

• Preaching to Indians and Slaves

• Reinterpreted Covenant: man’s response

• Dissolution of Theocracy: disestablishment in VA & NC, democratization

• Breakdown in theological consensus: New/Old Lights

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1-Word Summary

• Pilgrims Separatists

• Puritans Saints

• Denominations Inclusive

• Whitefield Dramatic

• Wesley Methodism

• Edwards Glory

• Great Awakening Fire