Great revivalists

Men on fire

GREAT REVIVALISTS
1700 to the present day
By John Peters
CWR. 140 pages. £9.99
ISBN 978-1-85345-482-0

In honour of Selwyn Hughes and Crusade for World Revival, John Peters’ study broadly comprises three sections: an introductory survey of revival, followed by some 25 examples of Christians instrumental in revivals in history, and a conclusion that identifies common elements in the lives of these revivalists and thoughts about revival today.

Peters begins with his ‘survey of revival’, highlighting the distinctive elements that constitute such a work of God. He quotes the definitions of a number of sources, from Dr. Lloyd-Jones to Vernon Higham, but spends most time reflecting on the thoughts of Selwyn Hughes himself, whose principles of revival he summarises and affirms (22). These include fervent prayer, dependence on the Word of God, and a renewed sense of the holiness of God among his people.

The many and varied biographies, prefaced as they are by a helpful timeline, offer brief comments about each individual’s influence, in particular revivals, and their pen-portrait includes a ‘challenge for today’ and a concluding prayer.

In his conclusion, while seeking to emphasise that revival is always and only a work of God and therefore does not follow a simple cause and effect plan, Peters urges his readers to learn from these ‘revivalists’ and ‘desire God’s presence … be obedient to God’s word … [and] pray without ceasing’ (135) such that revival might again emerge from the church today.

Peters’ book is edifying and helpfully connects us with our past. His biographical portraits, however, are too brief and the lessons about devotion to the word of God and prayer that he is keen to draw out could be more profitably gleaned alongside other fruitful information by simply reading a good biography of one of those he mentioned.

Reuben Hunter,
assistant pastor, Spicer Street Independent Chapel, St. Albans

© Evangelicals Now - February 2009
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