Journal: Reformation and Revival
Volume: RAR 02:4 (Fall 1993)
Article: Global Revival: Should We Be Involved in Concerts of Prayer?
Author: Erroll Hulse

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Global Revival: Should We Be Involved in Concerts of Prayer?

Erroll Hulse

Iain Murray, in his substantial book to be published in 1994, Revival and Revivalism: The Making and Marring of American Evangelicalism, 1750 to 1858, makes the vital distinction between Holy Spirit revival sent down from heaven and “revivalism” which is merely the outcome of human organization and activity or excitement. 1

Few evangelical Christians in the West today believe in the reality of revival. To most revival is no more than a dream. To them revival of the supernatural kind is something of the past. I remember being present at Westminster Chapel in 1959 when Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones preached a series of sermons on revival to commemorate the 1859 revival. He believed passionately in the reality of Holy Spirit revival, but to most of his hearers the theme was interesting but did not belong to the world of reality. It is difficult for a Christian to believe in revival if such a thing has never been experienced. Most people I spoke to during that time were polite about it, but the subject seemed academic and theoretical rather than a burning practical issue.

In addition to those who are indifferent there are some who reject the idea of revival completely. Herman Hanko, writing in The Presbyterian (now defunct, this small journal was published in Bristol), May 1991, p. 3, is forthright in his opposition, “‘Is it proper, is it biblical, is it Reformed to pray for and seek revival in the church?’ To that question the Reformed faith must needs give a resounding ‘No!’ Revival is wrong. Revival is contrary to Scriptures. Revival is at odds with the Reformed faith.” But Hanko speaks for a minority, Dutch, hyper-Calvinistic school, a group hostile to the doctrine of common grace that God loves all men and desires that all be saved. Also Hanko uses the method of criticizing the excesses of revival which was the stance taken by Charles Hodge. He dismisses as mysticism the personal experiences common in times of revival. The 1857–59

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revival which we will look at in detail was especially a “non-excess, non-dramatic” example of spiritual awakening, happily free from the fanaticism which has marred some revivals.

There are other Hollanders who are certainly not hyper-Calvinist but do not accept our view of revival. Hendrik Krabbendam, for instance, believes that Pentecost was the birthday of the Holy Spirit, fullstop. By fullstop I mean that this school stops there and does not take Pentecost to be a prototype of revivals to the end of the age. 2 It is import...