J. Edwin Orr, The Re-Study of Revival and Revivalism. School of World Mission, 1981.
Online at The Re-Study of Revival and Revivalism
Referenced in: Congregational Renewal through Spiritual Revival
LifeandLeadership.com Summary
In the broader work of congregational renewal, spiritual revival certainly has its place. As indicated in the Resource Guide on this subject, not all those interested in church renewal will wish or need to see their situation through the eyes of revival. Revivals are unique and unusual occurrences, and it is impossible to deny the importance of revival in scripture and Christian history. One important task in appropriating God’s work in revival, however, is to distinguish between true and counterfeit phenomena, and to understand how revival has manifested itself in Christian history.
J. Edwin Orr has long been recognized as a standard on the subject. New Testament scholar F. F. Bruce once said of Orr, “Some men read history, some write it, and others make it. So far as the history of religious revivals is concerned, J. Edwin Orr belongs to all three categories.” Orr’s history may be found online by following the direct link. Also, the larger website, Presenting the Ministry of Dr. J. Edwin Orr, includes several articles, quotes, audios, videos, and book references.
In this classic work, Orr defines the term “revival” in its biblical and historical usage. He shows the relationship between “revival” and “awakening.” He then provides a good overview of revival phenomena in European and American history.
This may not be the first or only work one consults on the history of revivals, but those who are interested in the subject may wish to familiarize themselves with Orr’s contributions to this field. More definitive works on the history of revivalism are available, and are found in the Resource Guide.
About the Author
J. Edwin Orr was a long-time professor of Fuller Seminary’s School of World Mission. He greatly stimulated the study and understanding of revivals and evangelism through his founding in 1974 and continuing leadership of the Oxford Reading and Research Conference on Evangelical Awakenings.
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