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Revival Fallacies
By Tom Hill
Revivals and
spiritual awakenings have come to Christians and the Church of Jesus Christ for
centuries. These revivals and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit differ from a
mere revival of religion and more devout religious practice as many religions
of the world might emphasize.
The interest in
revival has mushroomed during recent years. Prayer groups for revival have
sprung up all over the world. Some even urge fasting and prayer for it.
Articles in magazines and periodicals as well as books on the subject have exploded into the marketplace. In the midst of all the popularity of revival, some people have announced its arrival. Despite its current popularity, ignorance and errors about revival abounds.
Confusion over revival
The notoriety
surrounding the issue of revival causes problems. Misunderstanding and
ignorance about the meaning of revival grows unabated. The announcements of its
arrival by certain groups cause confusion. In addition, others dismiss the whole
belief about revival.
Any one who
investigates the current discussions on revival senses these problems. The
clues that they exist are many. These frequent statements identify their
presence:
“It’s here. The
river of revival flows at…”;
“We do not need
revival. Everything is going great.”; and
“I do not believe
in revival. That is Old Testament practice.”
These remarks
barely scratch the surface of the problem. I have personally discovered that
few people even want to discuss revival. For example, when I tell friends and
acquaintances of my ministry and desire for revival, they frequently walk away
without further comment. Some of them switch the subject to another topic.
Others who remain to discuss it usually reveal great confusion about it.
Consequences of confusion
Ignorance and
misunderstanding about revival produce consequences. First, they affect you
personally. Thus, Christians lack spiritual power. They miss God's glorious
manifest presence. Sometimes, individual believers separate over the issue.
The greatest
repercussion, however, comes from their impact upon the Christian’s
relationship with God. These changes identify significant effects in the
believer’s life. For example:
- They
oftentimes deify humanity and dethrone the sovereignty of God.
- They
center Christianity around self and personal gratification.
- They
keep Christians from obeying God.
- They
rob God of what rightly belongs to Him by denying Him glory, honor, praise,
adoration, and fear.
- They
degrade His character and nature.
- They
abase the truth of Scripture about revival.
- They
degrade and even reject the works of Christ: His death, His burial, His
resurrection, His ascension, and His rule over the Church.
- They
reject the work of the Holy Spirit by grieving and quenching His ministry.
Cause of confusion
Although numerous
reasons for this confusion exist, a few major explanations emerge. First,
ignorance of the Biblical truth of revival causes the greatest confusion.
Sadly, much of the Church of Jesus Christ has become Biblically ignorant,
especially on revival. They simply do not know that Scripture speaks about it.
Second, believers
doubt God's word as it relates to this important issue. They deny that the
Bible speaks about revival or its need in the present day. They ignore the signs
for its need and question its possibility today.
Third, other
Christians misunderstand the Biblical record on revival. This error leads to
several different manifestations. In some instances, Christians distort the
means of revival. Additionally, the misunderstandings lead people to mistake
some religious expressions for revival. In so doing, they prescribe a formula
built upon certain methods and means. If followed, they will produce a revival,
so they say.
However, God is
not a jack-in-the-box. He moves sovereignly in revival even when sincere
believers follow Biblical means for revival. Following methods and means used
in other revivals does not guarantee it.
Crossroads for Christians
Christians and
the Church of Jesus Christ stand today at a crossroads. They can continue the
present downhill path in spiritual decline. Unhappily, most believers choose
this path. On the other hand, they can correct the present path to seek
spiritual reformation and revival by God's grace.
This latter path
requires Christians to read and study their Bibles to learn of God's great
works in revival. The confusion, which they experience over revival, would
disappear with the application of Scriptural truths.
Clarification of fallacies
Because of
confusion about revival, certain fallacies have taken on the aura of truth.
These false assumptions, however, do not comply with Biblical truth on the
issue. Moreover, although some of them contain a kernel of truth, they miss the
whole of the truth. They appear convincing. However, a closer examination
reveals their falsity. The following observations expose their errors.
Evangelism
Many
Christians today confuse evangelism with revival. They are not the same. True,
revival results in the salvation of lost souls. But, it occurs because of the
effects of true revival.
Evangelism
pertains to reaching lost men and women with the gospel of Jesus Christ. It
then, of necessity, reaches to the world, the nonChristian. It entails the
message of regeneration by the Holy Spirit who brings saving faith in Jesus
Christ, the Savior of sinners.
These who are
dead in their trespasses and sins need regeneration, to be born from above by
the Spirit. (See John 3.3-8 and Ephesians 2.1-9.) Evangelism is not revival.
Excitement
Segments of the Church mistake excitement for revival. This error equates
commotion, thrill, and inspiration with revival. Certainly, they say, such
lively animation in religious practice must mean revival has come.
I remind you,
however, of the spirited celebration of David when he first attempted to bring
the
Certainly, those
at the celebration of the
Enthusiasm
Numerous others interpret enthusiasm as revival. A devoted and eager interest
in God and the Church must signal revival. After all, enthusiasm drives
participation and cooperation with programs, even Biblically taught programs.
The disciples in
Acts 1.1-8 certainly displayed enthusiasm. However, Jesus bridled their
enthusiasm and instructed them on their need for an outpouring of the Holy
Spirit upon them. Enthusiasm is not revival; revival exceeds enthusiasm.
Enhancements
Others within the Christian community suggest enhancements correspond to
revival. By enhancements, they usually mean updated and modern facilities, with
the latest in design. Additionally, modern equipment, they say, spurs worship
and makes it more meaningful (than what?). They prize location of the church
property and rely upon external conditions and elements.
Jesus spoke
emphatically to this very issue with the woman of
Emphasis
A large
number of believers deem revival as a special emphasis. This special emphasis
takes on several uses. For example, to some the emphasis comes in the form of
special meetings. The Church designates a certain time of the year for these
meetings and calls them “revival meetings.”
Still others
emphasize certain doctrines to the exclusion of the fundamental truths of
Scripture. When this concept results in perceived benefits, they believe that
revival has arrived.
Finally, some
promote Christian duty as revival. They stress practical Christianity and
obedience to designated Biblical means. Practical Christianity certainly needs
application, and it can, in some instances, lead to revival. The
Emotion
This
particular fallacy receives vast recognition as revival. Waves of emotion
usually accompany times of revival. Thus, many tend to equate the two and
conclude that emotion equals revival. It does not. Effective speakers and
musicians can generate and manipulate emotion in crowds. Individuals can
self-generate it, too. Some go to one extreme with an over emphasis upon it,
while others dismiss it entirely.
You can have
emotional experiences without either saving faith in Christ or repentance. The
Old Testament provides two prime examples in Cain, the murderer of Abel, and
King Saul, who grieved over his mistreatment of David. In addition, the Gospels
describe Judas, who betrayed Christ, as deeply sorrowful for his sin. Yet, none
of these repented of their sins. (See Genesis 4.8-14; 1 Samuel 13.8-16;
15.10-31; and Matthew 27.3-10.) They sorrowed not unto repentance.
In 2 Corinthians
7.8-11, Paul warns against false emotion, which does not lead to repentance.
Emotional responses do not guarantee revival.
Effects
In this
fallacy, Christians mistake the presence of the effects of revival for revival.
In this way, two particular effects get notice, unity and prayer.
Sadly, some
Church leaders of today have urged unity with other religious organizations in
the hopes of securing revival. Ecumenism has brought joint doctrinal statements
and joint efforts. Others beg for unity at any cost, without purity and without
truth. However, this kind of agreement yields neither Biblical unity nor
revival. It merely opens the door for the entrance of “false prophets and
grievous wolves.” The Bible warns believers about them. (See Matthew 7.15-23
and Acts 20.29-30.)
In particular
today, prayer groups for revival have mushroomed, believing that this special
practice equals revival. Yet, in this practice, error exists. It can result
from the desire for selfish advancement, without brokenness for sin, without
repentance, and without seeking God's face. It succumbs to the practice of
merely saying prayers. Further, it attempts to promote prayer among those who
do not and cannot agree in prayer. Such activity fails.
Still others
concede to the practice of a “back door” revival. This approach persuades
people that they are spiritually ok. They just need more of the same. However,
this conclusion ignores the marks of true revival and the manifestations that
reveal the need for revival. Therefore, these people lack understanding as to
why true revival eludes them.
Each of these
instances describe the condition warned by Paul to Timothy in 2 Timothy 3:5:
“Having
a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof.”
Effects, then,
are not proof of revival.
Escape
In recent
times, this delusion has crept into the Church of Jesus Christ. It describes
those who desire revival for the sake of saving their country or the world. The
world and every nation has indeed slid into grave sin. Some, then, use revival
as an attempt to save a nation, an organization, or a career. In the process,
they “pray” for revival to remove sin that they refuse to forsake. They “pray”
for revival to remove problems that the Church refuses to overcome according to
Scripture.
But God, contrary
to this notion, sends it to glorify Himself. The disciples missed this aspect
in their desire for Christ to establish the kingdom. (See Acts 1.6-8.) No,
revival is not an escape.
Education
Frequently in this day, Church leaders have emphasized spiritual growth
programs as revival. They implement Bible studies, exhort attendance in Sunday
School, and promote spiritual growth. Usually, however, these programs
concentrate upon Biblical knowledge and “how to” sessions. Virtually never do
they urge personal holiness.
Paul warned
against this kind of practice by reminding the Corinthians that the letter of
the law kills, but the Spirit gives life. (See 2 Corinthians 3.6.)
Entitlement
Others emphasize a formula to produce a revival. If the Church will follow
certain steps, they say, a revival will result. To them, revival is an
entitlement. It comes to those who do it right.
Nevertheless,
many Godly, well-intentioned people have tried this approach with dismal
failure. Joel the prophet called God's people to repentance and spiritual
renewal, but warned them that it was no guarantee. Note his statement in Joel
2:12-14:
“Therefore
also now, saith the LORD, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with
fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning: {13} And rend your heart, and not
your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God: for he is gracious and
merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil.
{14} Who knoweth if he will return and repent, and leave a blessing behind him;
even a meat offering and a drink offering unto the LORD your God?”
Joel conditioned
their spiritual renewal upon God's sovereignty, where it belongs. No, revival
is not an entitlement.
Expansion
Church
growth experts tout numerical growth as revival. They push the adoption of
prescribed methods to facilitate physical expansion of a Church. If a Church
will follow these methods, they declare that it will increase in size. They
will experience God's blessing, a kind of revival.
Sadly, however,
most increases in Church attendance today result from transfers from other
churches in the locality. They want to become part of something new, different,
big, or fun. This is not true Church growth by adding new Christians.
They have fallen
into the snare that the
Extravaganzas
The modern Church specializes in the extravaganza and calls it revival. Some
churches emphasize the extraordinary. These may include miracles, physical
manifestations, and even supernatural manifestations. Another form stresses
spectacular events. They include special productions, especially around
holidays, and special programs with heroes and star-studded speakers and
musicians.
Remember the
Church at
Even the presence
of the supernatural, and certainly God still does the supernatural, does not
guarantee revival.
Conclusion
With great
sorrow, I conclude that these fallacies describe the Church and many believers
today, perhaps you and your Church. In essence, they almost entirely set aside
the agency of the Holy Spirit in revival. They represent revival as an article
of manufacture. You only have to set the machinery in motion, raise the steam
of excitement, and you have revival.
They take no
account of the fuel used to make it happen. Artifices catch the attention of
the masses. Devices entrap the careless. An exaggerated style of preaching
produces alarm, shakes suspicious hopes, and raises a state of general
excitement, no matter what kind. It does not seem important. It brings people
to hear, and converts result, proponents say. However, truth, reverence,
humility, and faith vanish over such machinations.
