Life's Inanities and Ironies

Hello, fellow history buffs and spiritual seekers! Today, we're delving into one of the most transformative periods in American religious history: the Second Great Awakening . Spanning from the late 1790s to the 1830s, this Protestant revival movement reshaped faith, society, and even politics in the young United States. Unlike the more intense First Great Awakening of the 1740s, the Second was characterized by organized revivals, camp meetings , and a push for moral reform. It responded to a perceived spiritual decline and fueled everything from church growth to abolitionism . Let's explore its origins, key players, phases, theology, and lasting impacts, drawing on historical sources for a well-rounded view. Origins and Causes: A Response to Spiritual and Social Shifts The Second Great Awakening emerged amid a backdrop of religious apathy and societal change in post-Revolutionary America. By the late 18th century, Enlightenment rationalism, deism, and skepticism had eroded t...

It seems that Christians have started to eye favorably the devil’s infamous offer to Christ: I’ll give you all the kingdoms of the world if you fall down and worship me. Just give me what I want, and no one gets hurt. It is easy for us to shun the condition of Satan’s offer; of course we never consent to worship our greatest enemy. But we often overlook the fact that here Satan is tempting Jesus in two ways: he is saying first, “the way to fulfilling your mission is to worship me,” but he is also saying, “the way to fulfilling your mission is through political power.” Of course, Jesus sees straight through this deception; and well He should, for He repeatedly reminds people that His mission is not one of political conquest (e.g. John 18:36 , Luke 22:49-51 ). This spirit carries through the entire New Testament, where we do not find a single mention of any policy of the Roman Empire, nor any command for believers concerning government, except to “be in subjection” ( Romans 13:5 ) and t...