Editors- Andrew Walker and Kristin Aune
Publisher-Paternoster Press
ISBN-1-84227-201-2
This is a series of essays by fifteen different authors and is a helpful and honest introduction to the subject of revival. Most of the contributors are British and write from within the contemporary Christian scene in the British Isles. The perspective of the book is concerned with the decline and renewal of the church. These two things are covered under three main headings, theological, historical and contemporary. Most Christians seem to want revival, but few actually think about it and this book concerns thinking through issues. Essays examine the differences between revival and revivalism and place recent movements and emphases that have swept like fads and fashions through the churches into perspective. The essays written from a theological perspective consider whether there is such a thing as ‘revival’ in the New Testament, the role of the Holy Spirit in revival and why revival is necessary. Is it part of the rhythm of decline and loss in the churches and the need for resurrection? Does the necessity of such a thing as a renewal indicate serious loss of that which is part of the true possessions of the church? The “Lessons from History” section is particularly illuminating as the essays consider several ‘revivals’ of earlier centuries and compare aspects of them with trends that have been encouraged in the last thirty years. The last section contains five essays which examine the contemporary scene. Though especially dealing with the church scene in the British Isles these are pertinent to the situation at present pertaining in many parts of the world. The shift from word to “worship” and the selling of worship as revival is examined along with the focus on ecstatic experience and phenomena as encouraged in the “Toronto Blessing”. Are these things affected by an entrepreneurial element, ‘sold’ in the churches and do they simply indicate that consumerism is rampant in the churches which leads in turn to faddism and loss of what really constitutes the gospel. All who desire to reflect on the meaning, significance and future of the revival will want to read this book.
