FIRESTORM OF THE LORD
By Stuart Piggin
Paternoster. 251pages inc. indexes
£14.99. ISBN 1 84227 031 1
If you buy this book to read a careful biblical theology of revival, you will waste your money. But if you buy this book you will certainly not waste your money.
The author admits that 'the serious study of the theology of revival has scarcely begun', and the little he adds to that debate leaves a lot of unpacking to do; for example, in the Old Testament, 'The whole community was awakened, not through the Holy Spirit in the soul of every member of the community, but through the Holy Spirit in the leader through whom the community was awakened'.
However, he reveals a wide reading, clear mind and a warm heart for the subject. Coming from a reformed, evangelical and Anglican perspective, he examines a number of areas not normally reached in books on this issue, and, refreshingly, uses mostly twentieth century revivals to illustrate his position.
Stuart Piggin interacts largely with Jonathan Edwards, Martyn Lloyd-Jones, Iain Murray and Jim Packer as he deals with such issues as the marks of revival, revival and revivalism, revival and the charismatic movement, and revival in the Anglican and Catholic churches. There is far too much of interest in this book to cover in a short review, but the author has a fascinating insight into revival and its relationship to disasters, and an excellent chapter on preaching for revival, which should benefit every gospel preacher. He concludes with chapters on praying and planning for revival. The author is sufficiently bold even to hazard a description of the shape of the next Great Awakening! How close he is to the reality, I hope I will be around to assess.
Meanwhile, there are few books on the subject of revival that are as challenging as this one. You will not need to agree with all his conclusions to recognise that many of his points are well made and important. If you are concerned for revival and are prepared for some of your strong views to be challenged - even if not changed - then buy this book. You will not be wasting your money.
