 The religious upswelling of the early 18 th century  Three main leaders: George Whitefield, Jonathan Edwards, John Wesley Great Awakening

1.God’s saints are revived 2.They share their faith locally 3.Missionary enterprise beyond the locale 4.Social outreach Revivalism

Colonies: 1750

 : Connecticut River Valley - Congregationalists: Northampton to the Atlantic  Died down for 3 years  Enflamed under Whitefield: Boston, Salem, Portsmouth, all of New England  Leadership and writings of Jonathan Edwards Northern Course of Awakening

 Presbyterians in N. Virginia  Baptists (Separate Congregationalists) in New England (Connecticut) expands to Separate Baptists in N. Carolina  From 6,000 – 20,000 in 3 years, foundation of Southern Baptists Southern Course of Awakening

Baptists  In America since 17 th century  Galvanized by Great Awakening

Jonathan Edwards   Interpreter of and apologist for the Great Awakening

First Churches, Northampton  Fifth Meeting House

Jonathan Edwards In memory of Jonathan Edwards Minister of Northampton From Feb 15, 1727 to June 22, 1750 “The law of truth was in his mouth, and iniquity was not found in his lips: he walked with me in peace and equity, and did turn many away from iniquity” Malachi 2:6

Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God. Enfield, July 8, 1741

Jonathan Edwards, A Life

Big Three Whitefield Edwards Wesley Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God

George Whitefield   In 1738 made 1st of 7 visits to the America  Trying to start an orphanage in Ga.  Ordained Anglican  “Great Itinerant”  Member of Wesley’s Oxford “Holy Club”  Popular as G. Washington  Huge crowds: 30,000

Preaching in the Field  Collapsible Field pulpit

The New Birth  John 3:1-8  Whitefield: “How this glorious Change is wrought in the Soul cannot easily be explained."

Ben Franklin on Whitefield  Heard Whitefield preach in Colonies & England:  Philadelphia Hall  Georgia orphanage  Size of crowds  Pleased with discourse

John Wesley   “a brand plucked from the burning”

Wesley vs. Whitefield Son of Anglican rectorSon of tavern keeper Strict religious upbringingWorldly influences Conversion: Aldersgate, 35 Oxford, 21 Preaching: Intellectual, doctrinal Dramatic, emotional ) Exceptional organizer Exceptional preacher

Methodism  Hierarchical  Episcopal

Methodists: Francis Asbury   Leader in 2 nd Great Awakening

 Primary expression of American Christianity, post 1740’s  Based, in part, on freedom to differ  Denomination vs. Sect  Inclusive vs. Exclusive  The true church cannot be identified with any single ecclesiastical structure  Seed planted by Reformers: not of bishops but of believers  Architected by Congregationalists at Westminster Assembly “Denominationalism”

 80% of Americans unified in common understanding of Christian life and faith  Dissent/dissenters enjoyed greater respect: Baptists, Methodists, Presbyterians  Emphasis on education: Univ. of Penn, UNC Effects of the Great Awakening