The students at Asbury University are stirred. Their chapel service is in the third day. This phenomenon has recurred over many decades. The most notable was probably 1970, a stirring that made the news and spread to perhaps 150 universities and colleges. I rejoice.
I have friends going there today. Students began to worship at chapel on Wednesday. I think. Afterwards some students stayed. Then more, and then a spontaneous worship began that has continued. People come in and take over the worship and it goes on. Prayer, confession and glorying in Godâs presence among them.
I donât know more other than the testimonies that are flowing.
I can’t help but think the early 70’s Jesus people, Charismatic, and born again movements were genuine, I was saved through these. And I think it’s beginning again. There is Hope Los Angeles in my area with this same idea. I really hope God will act again.
Forgive my cynicism. On one hand, this ârevivalâ is amazing and encouraging to see.
But on the other hand where people are too busy or unmotivated to drive across town to attend a church service or pray for a sick brother or sister, they will hop in their cars, hitchhike, or fly all the way to Kentucky to watch the showâŠor âglowâ.
My dear friends left last night around 10pm the pictures they sent were of a packed house the report included people standing around the walls in the auditorium.
I don’t know any Christians without motivation or heart to go across town and pray for their sick brethren. My cynicism usually hurts me most but damages everyone I impose it on and my guilt in that regard has been vast.
Something good may be happening in Kentucky. That meeting was still going well into the night last night, well into the third day. LORD let it happen in a 1000 places.
Listen to the voices on YouTube of the 1970 outpouring there. That one also broke out in many ways and places. As badly as we need renewal, please lay aside doubt and pray.
I’m vibing with Hoppy a bit. If such revivals result in greater obedience, service, and love expressed to the church as well as the world, then I’m all in. May the power of God cause deep heart change and bring about Christ-like perspectives. But if the concept of revival has more in common with people flocking to see Jesus’ face burned into a tortilla and then heading home without a transformation that integrates mind, heart and soul, then I’ll be way less enthused.
Maybe my response is due to the fact that I think the vast majority of God’s discipleship work in our lives is long and arduous; the result of the Holy Spirit revealing and empowering us to dig deep into our lives and unearth those things that don’t belong in our new family of Jesus. Many Christians avoid this work and try to cruise through their spiritual life.
Revival is just like every other grace in our lives. Much of it goes to waste. Yes waste. The woman ‘wasted’ her alabaster box on Jesus and he wastes himself on us. Spending himself he receives less than he gives and so he gives again. That is what a good shepherd does. We cannot watch the unworthy recipients with so much distaste that we refuse to have him ‘waste’ himself on us.
And yet revivals are like a flood changing the landscape… much is lost while in the long run much more is gained. We do not have the apparatus to measure the worth of the chaos and division that always comes whenever a season of refreshing comes from the LORD. One of us hears the voice and other just say it thundered. One is transformed and another is offended beyond repair.
When we pray for revival he answers in those ways… flood, earthquake, thunder… We are so offended at that it is hard for us to rejoice or weep together. Would that the flood was so fierce we have no choice.
Alan,
If a revival is at hand, Asbury would be a fitting place to begin. I canât speak for the present, but not too long ago it was a bastion of orthodoxy in the apostasizing Methodist world. I recall Ben Witherington and Craig Keener both teaching at the seminary. Must be or was a great institution.
That’s true but the outpourings of revival that have occasioned the campus of Asbury happen at the college and not the seminary. These things happen as student led events. What we don’t know is whether the purity of students praying, worshiping and confessing their sins without the leadership of adults can be sustained in an era of instant information.
What we don’t know if the influx of off campus people will help or hinder. It seems there has been no official attempt to promote from the administration. In 1970 Dennis Kinlaw was filled with the fear of God. He was off campus when it began and he felt it was such a holy thing he dared not touch it.
The outcome was not thousands flocking to Asbury. The outcome was students coming and going from the school. It was the humble tearful witness of students that caused the movement to spread.
It was also the days of the Jesus movement when lightning struck where people never heard of the thing. It had a sovereign touch. God help us.
I grew up going to revivals and camp meetings. I’ve seen people shout, run the aisles, and tightrope the backs of pews. I sometimes refer to this sort of thing as “swinging from the chandeliers.” That isn’t what is taking place at Asbury University in Wilmore, KY. I know, because I just left Hughes Auditorium.
If you are following the revival on social media, you will know that it began on Wednesday morning. My office is directly across the street at Asbury Seminary. Despite this proximity, as of this morning, I had not put in an appearance. I was not avoiding doing so. I’m simply in a busy season of writing about sacramental theology.
When it comes to the manifestation of God’s presence, I am no skeptic. Quite the contrary. I am a straight up believer that, across space and time, in the most unpredictable of ways, the holiness of God becomes palpable – the enveloping darkness atop Sinai; Isaiah’s woe is me; the light engulfing St. Symeon in his study; laughter in Toronto.
Alas, around 2:30 this afternoon, I crossed Lexington Avenue and made my way up the stairs of Hughes Auditorium, slipping into a seat on the back row. I wanted to see for myself what was happening. The following is a blow by blow account of what I experienced for the next hour and a half.
I had been seated in the auditorium for less than ten minutes when I came to, by which I mean to say when I suddenly found myself having conscious thoughts about my surroundings and about what I was experiencing. The best way I know to put this is to say that it was as though in just a few short minutes, I had completely zoned out.
Upon the resumption of deliberative conscious thought, two things stood out to me. First, there was a noticeable lack of tension in my body. I was completely relaxed. There was also a complete lack of mental tension or distraction. My mind was at utter peace. And I had only been there for ten minutes.
The second thing I recall thinking is that I could sit here in this chair forever. The desire to linger indefinitely was quite unexpected. I had planned to pop in for a few minutes before returning to work. Suddenly, work was the farthest thing from my mind.
I wound up staying for well over an hour. In the time that I was there, I could not get over certain distinctive qualities about the atmosphere. The words that came to mind were: gentle, sweet, peaceful, serene, tender, still. Some people were singing. Others were talking. Many were praying. But there was something like a blessed stillness permeating the place. No one was swinging from the chandeliers. In fact, it was right the opposite. What made this so wild was just how un-wild the whole thing was … is.
So, why leave? After about an hour and half, a particular verse of Scripture impressed itself on my mind — the one about the woman who touched the hem of Jesus’ garment. Compared with those who have been there since Wednesday, I was a newcomer in the crowd. But the manifestation of God’s holiness, which in this case was, to my mind, a manifestation of sheer peacefulness, was of such a quality that even the most fleeting contact with it is enough. Don’t mishear me. I completely understand why so many people want to linger. I did, too. But the peacefulness in that place is so palpable that a mere ten minutes had made an impression that will last the remainder of my lifetime.
It’s all yours today…
The students at Asbury University are stirred. Their chapel service is in the third day. This phenomenon has recurred over many decades. The most notable was probably 1970, a stirring that made the news and spread to perhaps 150 universities and colleges. I rejoice.
Alan,
I saw this a couple of days ago and was going to text you about it.
What is actually happening there?
I have friends going there today. Students began to worship at chapel on Wednesday. I think. Afterwards some students stayed. Then more, and then a spontaneous worship began that has continued. People come in and take over the worship and it goes on. Prayer, confession and glorying in Godâs presence among them.
I donât know more other than the testimonies that are flowing.
Well, that sounds exciting! Canât wait to hear more.
Captain K, exciting? AMEN! ! !
I can’t help but think the early 70’s Jesus people, Charismatic, and born again movements were genuine, I was saved through these. And I think it’s beginning again. There is Hope Los Angeles in my area with this same idea. I really hope God will act again.
https://ministrywatch.com/revival-reported-at-asbury-university-in-kentucky/
Forgive my cynicism. On one hand, this ârevivalâ is amazing and encouraging to see.
But on the other hand where people are too busy or unmotivated to drive across town to attend a church service or pray for a sick brother or sister, they will hop in their cars, hitchhike, or fly all the way to Kentucky to watch the showâŠor âglowâ.
My dear friends left last night around 10pm the pictures they sent were of a packed house the report included people standing around the walls in the auditorium.
I don’t know any Christians without motivation or heart to go across town and pray for their sick brethren. My cynicism usually hurts me most but damages everyone I impose it on and my guilt in that regard has been vast.
Something good may be happening in Kentucky. That meeting was still going well into the night last night, well into the third day. LORD let it happen in a 1000 places.
Listen to the voices on YouTube of the 1970 outpouring there. That one also broke out in many ways and places. As badly as we need renewal, please lay aside doubt and pray.
I may be the most cynical person any of you will encounter…and maybe the most hopeful.
I will hope we are seeing a move of God and resist judgment until we have some clarity.
I’m vibing with Hoppy a bit. If such revivals result in greater obedience, service, and love expressed to the church as well as the world, then I’m all in. May the power of God cause deep heart change and bring about Christ-like perspectives. But if the concept of revival has more in common with people flocking to see Jesus’ face burned into a tortilla and then heading home without a transformation that integrates mind, heart and soul, then I’ll be way less enthused.
Humor follows … đ
I dreamed last night that all the cemeteries had become sinkholes….. Ummm
P.H. ha ha! ! !
Maybe my response is due to the fact that I think the vast majority of God’s discipleship work in our lives is long and arduous; the result of the Holy Spirit revealing and empowering us to dig deep into our lives and unearth those things that don’t belong in our new family of Jesus. Many Christians avoid this work and try to cruise through their spiritual life.
What Piney said
Though I am cynical, I truly hope this ârevivalâ spreads out of Kentucky across the country and the entire world.
Revival is just like every other grace in our lives. Much of it goes to waste. Yes waste. The woman ‘wasted’ her alabaster box on Jesus and he wastes himself on us. Spending himself he receives less than he gives and so he gives again. That is what a good shepherd does. We cannot watch the unworthy recipients with so much distaste that we refuse to have him ‘waste’ himself on us.
And yet revivals are like a flood changing the landscape… much is lost while in the long run much more is gained. We do not have the apparatus to measure the worth of the chaos and division that always comes whenever a season of refreshing comes from the LORD. One of us hears the voice and other just say it thundered. One is transformed and another is offended beyond repair.
When we pray for revival he answers in those ways… flood, earthquake, thunder… We are so offended at that it is hard for us to rejoice or weep together. Would that the flood was so fierce we have no choice.
Alan,
If a revival is at hand, Asbury would be a fitting place to begin. I canât speak for the present, but not too long ago it was a bastion of orthodoxy in the apostasizing Methodist world. I recall Ben Witherington and Craig Keener both teaching at the seminary. Must be or was a great institution.
Jean
That’s true but the outpourings of revival that have occasioned the campus of Asbury happen at the college and not the seminary. These things happen as student led events. What we don’t know is whether the purity of students praying, worshiping and confessing their sins without the leadership of adults can be sustained in an era of instant information.
What we don’t know if the influx of off campus people will help or hinder. It seems there has been no official attempt to promote from the administration. In 1970 Dennis Kinlaw was filled with the fear of God. He was off campus when it began and he felt it was such a holy thing he dared not touch it.
The outcome was not thousands flocking to Asbury. The outcome was students coming and going from the school. It was the humble tearful witness of students that caused the movement to spread.
It was also the days of the Jesus movement when lightning struck where people never heard of the thing. It had a sovereign touch. God help us.
Jason Vickers:
Professor of Theology
The Asbury Revival: A First Person Account
I grew up going to revivals and camp meetings. I’ve seen people shout, run the aisles, and tightrope the backs of pews. I sometimes refer to this sort of thing as “swinging from the chandeliers.” That isn’t what is taking place at Asbury University in Wilmore, KY. I know, because I just left Hughes Auditorium.
If you are following the revival on social media, you will know that it began on Wednesday morning. My office is directly across the street at Asbury Seminary. Despite this proximity, as of this morning, I had not put in an appearance. I was not avoiding doing so. I’m simply in a busy season of writing about sacramental theology.
When it comes to the manifestation of God’s presence, I am no skeptic. Quite the contrary. I am a straight up believer that, across space and time, in the most unpredictable of ways, the holiness of God becomes palpable – the enveloping darkness atop Sinai; Isaiah’s woe is me; the light engulfing St. Symeon in his study; laughter in Toronto.
Alas, around 2:30 this afternoon, I crossed Lexington Avenue and made my way up the stairs of Hughes Auditorium, slipping into a seat on the back row. I wanted to see for myself what was happening. The following is a blow by blow account of what I experienced for the next hour and a half.
I had been seated in the auditorium for less than ten minutes when I came to, by which I mean to say when I suddenly found myself having conscious thoughts about my surroundings and about what I was experiencing. The best way I know to put this is to say that it was as though in just a few short minutes, I had completely zoned out.
Upon the resumption of deliberative conscious thought, two things stood out to me. First, there was a noticeable lack of tension in my body. I was completely relaxed. There was also a complete lack of mental tension or distraction. My mind was at utter peace. And I had only been there for ten minutes.
The second thing I recall thinking is that I could sit here in this chair forever. The desire to linger indefinitely was quite unexpected. I had planned to pop in for a few minutes before returning to work. Suddenly, work was the farthest thing from my mind.
I wound up staying for well over an hour. In the time that I was there, I could not get over certain distinctive qualities about the atmosphere. The words that came to mind were: gentle, sweet, peaceful, serene, tender, still. Some people were singing. Others were talking. Many were praying. But there was something like a blessed stillness permeating the place. No one was swinging from the chandeliers. In fact, it was right the opposite. What made this so wild was just how un-wild the whole thing was … is.
So, why leave? After about an hour and half, a particular verse of Scripture impressed itself on my mind — the one about the woman who touched the hem of Jesus’ garment. Compared with those who have been there since Wednesday, I was a newcomer in the crowd. But the manifestation of God’s holiness, which in this case was, to my mind, a manifestation of sheer peacefulness, was of such a quality that even the most fleeting contact with it is enough. Don’t mishear me. I completely understand why so many people want to linger. I did, too. But the peacefulness in that place is so palpable that a mere ten minutes had made an impression that will last the remainder of my lifetime.
Facebook Post
“Forgive my cynicism. On one hand, this ârevivalâ is amazing and encouraging to see.”
There’s nothing to forgive hoppy,
I’ve seen more ‘revival’ in non-descript people adopting a homeless dog.
I have seen nothing to make me doubt that something real is happening…
https://www.kentuckytoday.com/baptist_life/all-eyes-focus-on-another-asbury-revival/article_6994621a-a9b0-11ed-9cf7-67c841f9b6a3.html?utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter&utm_campaign=user-share