Classic Revivalists: Leonard Ravenhill on Spiritual Revival
Referenced in: Congregational Renewal through Spiritual Revival
LifeandLeadership.com Summary
While the revivals and awakenings of the 18th and 19th centuries were dominated by figures such as Jonathan Edwards, George Whitefield, and Charles G. Finney, the twentieth century saw the influence of men like Leonard Ravenhill and A. W. Tozer. Tozer was more of a pastor and reflective devotional writer than a revivalist, but he is quoted in virtually all revival literature. Ravenhill, on the other hand, was a preacher and revival leader first and foremost. Ravenhill and Tozer were close friends.
Leonard Ravenhill (1907-1994) was an Englishman, and spent most of his life preaching to large crowds in Britain, especially during WWII. He and his family moved to the United States in 1959, and during the 1960s and 70s, he traveled and preached extensively in revival meetings across the nation. He preached with great conviction, vigor, and power, and is believed to have influenced thousands of people to commit themselves to serving Christ.
In the 1980s, Ravenhill moved to Lindale, Texas, near the headquarters of Last Days Ministries, the influential ministry of the late contemporary Christian music artist, Keith Green. Ravenhill taught extensively through that ministry, and continued writing in their newsletter. He is also credited for influencing other notable Christian leaders such as the well-known apologist, Ravi Zacharias, and the popular Baptist author, pastor, and televangelist, Charles Stanley.
Like most revival literature, Ravenhill’s works convey a strong affinity with the Holiness movement. One must also remember the strong emphasis on repentance and renewal characteristic of this literature. Writings like these have their place in afflicting the comfortable. They are probably not the best reading for those who need encouragement and consolation.
As with other revival literature, one may profit from the balance of works such as Walter Kaiser’s Revive Us Again, which provides benchmarks from the revivals of the Old and New Testaments. For a critical assessment of current revival phenomena see Hank Hanegraaff’s Counterfeit Revival. Also a probing evaluation of mystical spirituality, sometimes characteristic of revival, appears in an older volume by Scott Horton, In the Face of God.
Among the many books by Ravenhill, perhaps the most popular, and the one most pertinent to the study of revival, was Why Revival Tarries (see below), which was reprinted numerous times and still circulates widely today. This work, along with a few other related titles, are listed below, along with Publisher’s Description for each.
Notable works by Leonard Ravenhill
- Leonard Ravenhill, Why Revival Tarries. Bethany House, 2004. Leonard Ravenhill’s call to revival is as timely now as it was when first published in 1959. The message is fearless and often radical as he expounds on the disparity between the New Testament church and the church today. Why Revival Tarries contains the heart of his message. A.W. Tozer called Ravenhill “a man sent from God” who “appeared at [a] critical moment in history,” just as the Old Testament prophets did. Included are questions for group and individual study. Ravi Zacharias refers to this as “the book that shaped me…more dramatically than any other…”
- Leonard Ravenhill, Revival God’s Way: A Message for the Church. Bethany House, 2006. For All Christians Who Yearn for Revival God’s Way. This no-compromise biblical clarion call to revival is timeless. Leonard Ravenhill clearly shows how the church can be brought from where it is to where it ought to be. The church still needs his message, first published in 1983, for as Ravenhill said, “We live in a generation which has never know revival—God’s way.” The message is drastic, fearless, and often radical. His goal for the church is nothing less than full restoration to the glory, power, holiness, and dignity that Christ intended for it.
- Leonard Ravenhill, Revival Praying: An Urgent and Powerful Message for the Family of Christ. Bethany House, 2005. Leonard Ravenhill presents prayer as faith in action in this fast-paced presentation of this crucial subject. He called prayer the most essential ingredient in producing revival. Filled with exhortations and illustrations, it teaches the art of effective praying”which will result in revival. Moody Monthly said, “This is a plea for praying that will melt the preacher’s heart, move the people, and magnify the Lord Jesus.”
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