Comments on: A Review of Why Revival Tarries. By Leonard Ravenhill.

By: Annette Nestor

Annette Nestor — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 13:31:25 +0000

Thanks Bill. I don’t have this book, but will order it now.
Annette Nestor

By: Bill Muehlenberg

Bill Muehlenberg — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 01:35:02 +0000

Thanks Craig

Normally I do not post comments which are primarily comprised of ad hominem attacks. But a few responses if I may. Biblical Christians are of course aware of the complex truths of divine sovereignty and human responsibility. This applies to revival as well. On the one hand it is simply the sovereign move of God. On the other hand, as both Scripture and church history demonstrate, we seem to have our role to play in bringing it about. It is a nuanced and multi-layered debate.

As to socialism, given that I was once a Marxist, I think I know a little bit about it.

And I will leave it to my readers to decide if the 1200-plus articles here on politics and theology are without understanding, lacking in substance, mere rhetoric, and a case of self indulgence.

Bill Muehlenberg, CultureWatch

By: Craig Nielsen

Craig Nielsen — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 02:05:08 +0000

Dear Bill,
Your review of Why Revival Matters shows virtually no understanding of the sovereignty of God in election. Going through your blog articles shows an abysmal understanding of Socialism and the same old rehashing of Religious Right rhetoric. As someone who use to live and breathe this rhetoric I would greatly appreciate it if you could write something that had some real substance when dealing with theological or political issues. To do otherwise is really just self indulgence on your part.
Craig Nielsen

By: Bill Muehlenberg

Bill Muehlenberg — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 01:11:52 +0000

Thanks exdroid

I am not supposed to allow you on as you refuse to keep my rules about full name disclosure. And your choice of titles tells us a lot about your supposed Christian past, but let me make a few brief remarks anyway.

I of course know nothing about your personal situation and so I cannot be expected to comment very helpfully here. As to your parents, only God knows in the end whether they became Christians or not. How can you be certain about this?

And are you using this as an excuse to justify your own drifting away from God? At the end of the day it is only you, and you alone, who will have to give account of yourself before the living God.

And did you really ‘almost bleed’? We can never pray too much, and I believe God does answer every prayer. But things must be done on his terms, and not ours.

Also, no, it is not your fault that anyone faces a Christless eternity. You are responsible only for yourself. Everyone is responsible for his or her own choices.

And yes some may have concerns about aspects of Finney’s theology, and so on, but that is not the real issue here. The real issue is simply this: Jesus did everything he possible could so that no one ever need go to hell, including yourself.

The only people who end up there are ultimately those who want to be there. Our response to what Jesus did for us is the vital thing. All other concerns are secondary.

As I say, I cannot offer pastoral counsel or words of wisdom because I know nothing about you. But I can pray to a loving Father who does know everything about you. So for now, my prayers will have to suffice.

Bill Muehlenberg, CultureWatch

By: Ewan

Ewan — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 02:36:50 +0000

Here is Dr. Brown’s definition of revival:

“Revival is a season of unusual divine visitation resulting in deep repentance, supernatural renewal, and sweeping reformation in the church along with a radical conversion of sinners in the world, often producing moral, social and even economic change in the local or national communities.”

Ewan McDonald.

By: Ewan

Ewan — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 21:59:02 +0000

Dr Michael Brown on his radio show The Line of Fire has done a couple of recent shows on revival. In part 1 he gives a definition of revival. Part 2 Ewan McDonald

By: exdroid

exdroid — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 04:02:50 +0000

I used to really really love the Leonard Ravenhill books like this one and also lots of Charles Finney’s stuff….for years….but then found them very legalistic…..
I did all that…prayed and prayed til i almost bled……
but nothing happend and my parents both died without coming to Christ….and now i’m in torment myself….knowing that they are being tortured forever and ever……….was it my fault? Didn’t i pray enough?….so many questions ! So much self punishment…The word ‘revival’ is the most abused word in the christian world…..There will never be a ‘revival’ in the whole world sense cos people know out there instrinsicly that the idea of a tormenting hell is too much to bear -it send people to mental homes like it did to me.
Finney’s theology too is very pelagian – based on human decision rather than grace…..In the end i had to give up his ideas as they are man centred.

And if this type of theology is right than it’s already too late!….Most people RIGHT NOW are buring forever in torment….as most poeple who’ve ever lived are already dead and in hell and most of the world alive now are going to hell anyway.

exdroid

By: Roger Marks

Roger Marks — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 00:49:45 +0000

dailycrossesforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5883
If you go to this link Geoff, I have started a discussion on revival. We have to start talking about it before anything can happen if only to discover how unworthy we are.
Roger Marks

By: Geoff Dyer

Geoff Dyer — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 12:33:36 +0000

I too would appreciate a Biblical discussion on Revival.
I know that Prayer and Action must go together and nothing happens without prayer but it seems that too often nothing happens beyond the Prayer.
A. W. Pink in early 20th century (over 100 years ago) stated something like “Many are praying for Revival, but it would be far better to pray that God would raise up labourers and thrust them into the harvest-field to do what Gods Word has told us to do which is designed to bring about revival”. I think too often we are asking God to do what He has told us to do. If we will get into the streets and share the Gospel – Mark 16:15 (all the church, not just a few), then we will see God move and we will find that the Church is revived. Simple obedience! – along with allowing Evangelists to have some access to pulputs to Equip the Saints for works of service (Eph 4:11-12) and train the church to be able to share the gospel – understanding what it is first, because I think we have lost that also – with our modern gospel of wordly benefits and neglecting to share on the righteousness and judgement of God and that the gospel is that Jesus died for our sins and He commands us to Preach Repentance unto Faith in Him.
Geoff Dyer

By: Bill Muehlenberg

Bill Muehlenberg — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 12:46:51 +0000

Thanks Jane

I am glad I can be of some encouragement to others. And keep up your terrific work. Blessings

Bill Muehlenberg, CultureWatch