The First Great awakening

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1 The First Great Awakening CHHI 300-D03 Gavril Andreicut Elita Morrill 8/7/2023

2 The First Great Awakening In the 1700s, Europe underwent a significant change in mindset as scientific reasoning and critical thinking began to take precedence over the control of the Church. This shift also affected the religiously diverse American colonies, leading to a revival of faith in the late 1720s. During this period, preachers emphasized the Calvinist principles of scripture, faith, and God's grace, reigniting religious fervor in the new world. Dubbed the Great Awakening, two highly influential figures, Jonathan Edwards and George Whitefield spearheaded the revival. Their teachings and powerful sermons inspired and transformed the spiritual landscape of their time, leaving a lasting impact on the beliefs of many Americans. Jonathan Edwards Jonathan Edwards was a prominent figure in the Great Awakening movement, serving as an Anglican minister in Northampton. He preached a powerful message that highlighted the inherent sinfulness of all humans and stressed the importance of repentance. His most famous sermon, "Sinners at the Hands of an Angry God," was delivered in 1741 and caused a stir throughout the colonies. While his passionate delivery inspired some, others were appalled by the fear and guilt it instilled. Edwards' preaching style was characterized by his energetic and heartfelt approach, which harkened back to the fire-and-brimstone circuit preachers of the Southern Baptist tradition in the 1930s and 1940s. Despite the controversy surrounding his message, Edwards' influence on the religious landscape of his time cannot be denied. Despite controversy surrounding his tactics and messaging, Jonathan Edwards is widely recognized for his instrumental role in the First Great Awakening. With his passionate preaching and teachings,

3 he successfully led many individuals toward conversion, solidifying his position as a prominent figure in the religious movement. George Whitefield George Whitfield was a prominent British minister who played a pivotal role in the Great Awakening movement. The 1730s marked a significant shift in his life as he began preaching about his personal conversion story, which sent shockwaves throughout the nation. Born on December 16th at the Bell Inn in Gloucester, England, Whitfield later drew parallels between his birth in an Inn and that of Jesus in his book. Despite his humble beginnings, he rose to become a celebrated minister and achieved unprecedented success in the Americas. Unlike his contemporary, Jonathan Edwards, who preferred to reform from a familiar pulpit, Whitfield traversed over five thousand miles, preaching throughout the colonies. His charismatic and theatrical preaching style resulted from his penchant for acting in school rather than focusing on his studies. His fervor for preaching was so intense that it caused him to tremble excitedly, leaving an impression on his audience. George Whitefield's preaching style was highly influential in attracting a diverse audience, as he defied societal norms in the colonies by preaching to anyone he could reach - including slaves, native Americans, and everyday people. His sermons were so compelling that even the most skeptical religious critics were convinced by his words. Different Approaches During the First Great Awakening, two prominent figures, Edwards and Whitefield, shared a common objective of promoting religious revival but adopted different strategies. Edwards preferred a stationary approach, where he preached from the pulpit, while Whitefield

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4 traveled extensively, spreading the message to anyone who would listen. Edwards was not renowned for his oratory skills, but he was adept at using vivid imagery to create a lasting impression on his audience. His unique ability to paint a picture with his words was a hallmark of his preaching style, which captivated and inspired his listeners. In the era before the invention of the microphone, George Whitefield's oratory skills were highly sought after. His voice rang loud and clear, with the ability to captivate and engage thousands of listeners at once. His talent for theatrics was remarkable, and he knew how to hold the audience's attention from start to finish. In contrast, Edward was a scholar and a gifted teacher. He was meticulous in his approach to preaching and never failed to deliver a powerful message. He was known for his devotion to his congregation and strong family values. Edward had built up a solid reputation as a responsible and committed pastor, with a loyal following of listeners who respected him deeply. Whitefield and the other church leaders had contrasting techniques in their preaching during the Great Awakening. Whitefield was renowned for his dynamic and impromptu speeches, which captivated his audience with his fervor and inspiration. On the other hand, the other church leader had a more measured approach in his sermons but was equally respected for his knowledge and wisdom. Despite their differing methods, both men shared a deep conviction in the emotional potency of conversion and salvation and were respected advocates of Calvinist theology. Their impact on the religious landscape during this period was profound and enduring. First Great Awakening Other Leaders During the First Great Awakening, several notable leaders preached with great influence and fervor. While Jonathan Edwards and George Whitefield may be the most well-known, they were certainly not alone in their efforts to spread the religious revival. Other important figures during this time included David Brainerd, Samuel Davies, Theodore Frelinghuysen, and Gilbert

5 Tennent. Brainerd gained a reputation as the "Minister to the Indians" due to his remarkable success in preaching to American Indian communities. These various preachers each brought their unique perspectives and styles to the movement, contributing to the diversity and richness of the First Great Awakening. David Brainerd, a well-known figure in Christian history, was recognized for his striking influence due to his self-righteous spirit. Samuel Davies, also called the Apostle to Virginia, had a successful career in the southern colonies. He was an advocate for the education of slaves. He passionately believed that every individual, regardless of race or social status, needed to hear and read the word of God in order to experience true religion. Theodore Frelinghuysen, on the other hand, had a political career and was known for speaking out against Catholics. He urged them to become Presbyterian, highlighting his strong beliefs in his teachings. Gilbert Tennent, a traveler, and a learner gained essential insights from George Whitefield and later shared his own inspired message, which was greatly influenced by Whitefield's teachings. Sent with a Message During the First Great Awakening, the revivalists who played a significant role in the movement had a common purpose - to spread the word of God through evangelism. Evangelism, which refers to the public preaching or personal witness of the Christian gospel, was a key element of their message. From the likes of Edwards and Whitefield to Tennant, each man shared their testimony and endeavored to take the message of God to as many people as possible. Their message was built on their faith and presented in several ways. Still, the core message remained the same - that the word of God is for everyone, including people from all walks of life, and not just the pious individuals of highly structured religion. The preachers of the First Great Awakening believed in the power of evangelism to reach out to the masses, and thus, for the first

6 time in the Americas, the gospel reached the people. In today's world, the teachings of religion are more accessible than ever before. Whether one actively seeks them or not, the word of God is now available to all. One of the most famous quotes from Jesus, as followed by the men of the Great Awakening, is "Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation" (ESV, 2016). These people impacted Christianity, and though we have grown, we still conduct the very task these men were sent out into the world for. To simply spread the Gospel. Word count: 1254

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7 Bibliography Brainerd, David. An Account of the Life of the Late Reverend Mr. David Brainerd, Minister of the Gospel, Missionary to the Indians, from the Honourable Society in Scotland, for the Propagation of Christian Knowledge, and Pastor of a Church of Christian Indians in New-Jersey : Who Died at Northampton in New-England, Octob. 9th 1747. in the 30th Year of His Age: Chiefly Taken from His Own Diary, and Other Private Writings, Written for His Own Use . Edited by Jonathan Edwards. Boston, N.E: Printed for and sold by D. Henchman, 1749. Daniel, Stephen H. (Stephen Hartley). The Philosophy of Jonathan Edwards : a Study in Divine Semiotics . Bloomington: Indiana University Press, 1994. Edwards, Jonathan, and Perry Miller. The Works of Jonathan Edwards . New Haven: Yale University Press, 1957. Hammond, Geordan, and David Ceri Jones, eds. George Whitefield : Life, Context and Legacy . New York, NY: Oxford University Press, 2016. Hammond, Geordan, and David Ceri Jones, eds. George Whitefield : Life, Context and Legacy . New York, NY: Oxford University Press, 2016. Nickens, Mark. A Survey of the History of Global Christianity . Second edition. Nashville, Tennessee: B&H Academic, 2020. The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV Text Edition: 2016.

The First Great awakening

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