“A Great Awakening” - A Review



Since the United States is celebrating its 250th birthday this year, more movies are coming out about America’s founding era. A historical drama film called “Young Washington” is scheduled for release on July 3rd. Last Thursday night, a pastor and his wife invited me to go see “A Great Awakening.” I had seen a trailer for this a few months ago, but I wasn’t aware it was released for Easter weekend.

“A Great Awakening” delves into the unlikely friendship between American founding father Benjamin Franklin and English preacher George Whitefield (pronounced “whit field”). Franklin resists his father’s wish for him to pursue a career in preaching. Instead, he embarks on a successful venture in establishing a renowned print shop. Years later, Franklin’s grandson stumbles upon old journals belonging to George Whitefield. This discovery triggers a flashback that takes the audience on a journey through the preacher’s life.


Whitefield, initially aspiring to be an actor, pursued his dream at the University of Oxford. However, his life changed when he encountered a group of Christians known as “The Holy Club,” which included John and Charles Wesley. After enduring an extended fast that nearly killed him, Whitefield experienced a profound revelation. He understood that God had already approved of His Son before He performed any miracles, as mentioned in Luke 3:22. This revelation impacted me during my early years as a believer.


After facing opposition from religious leaders within a church he had spoken at, Whitefield began preaching outdoors. At a mine, men threw rocks at Whitefield, but despite sustaining injuries, he continued preaching. It reminded me of his famous quote, “I was honored with having stones, dirt, rotten eggs and pieces of dead cats thrown at me.” No matter how you speak the truth in love, there will always be individuals who get angry and offended.


Whitefield soon sails to the American colonies and preaches to large crowds there. While in Philadelphia, he befriends Benjamin Franklin who publishes many of Whitefield’s materials. Near the end of the movie, Whitefield and Franklin have a memorable discussion about the gospel. Franklin still insisted his good works made him acceptable to God. Whitefield repeatedly stated throughout the movie, “You must be born again.” Interestingly, I later witnessed to a theater employee who hoped to go to heaven “by working on that.” I explained that salvation is a gift. Victor thanked me after praying to receive that gift.


Anyone who doubts the Christian roots of America should watch this movie. “A Great Awakening” serves as a reminder that this nation was primarily founded by God-fearing men. The film should also inspire other ministers to continue spreading the gospel despite any challenges they may encounter. 


“Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” - Matthew 5:11-12

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Gospel Soul Winning Script

Image
During my early days with evangelism, I developed an approach called the Survey Technique . By asking short direct questions, you can maintain control of the conversation and find out quickly what a person’s spiritual beliefs are. Although the Survey Technique has helped me lead thousands to the Lord, I’m still open to utilizing new methods in reaching people with the gospel. Rodney Howard-Browne 's ministry uses a tool called the Gospel Soul-Winning Script , which originated during their Good News New York campaign in 1999. I became familiar with it a few years later during evangelism outreaches with Rodney’s church in Tampa, Florida. At first, I resisted using the script. I found it restrictive and thought sinners wouldn’t be receptive to me reading a scrap of paper to them. Then while taking part in a 2009 outreach with Rodney’s ministry in Washington, D.C., my team leader asked me to “stick with the script.” Wanting to maintain unity, I complied with his request. Initially it f...
Read more

Looking Back @ the Toronto Blessing

Image
With friends I met in 1996 Twenty-five years ago today, a supernatural move of God began at a church near the Toronto airport. When guest speaker Randy Clark prayed over congregation members that night, they started shaking, hollering, and doing other things religious folk would consider disruptive. However, there were changed lives as a result of what became known as “The Toronto Blessing” (or “The Father’s Blessing” as Pastor John Arnott prefers calling it). Soon people from all over the world flocked to Toronto Airport Vineyard to experience a fresh touch from God. By 1995, both pastors and lay people from my home church in Minnesota were making pilgrimages to Toronto. One woman who visited there invited a group of us to watch videos of services from Toronto Airport Vineyard. Initially, I wasn’t impressed because the preaching didn’t sound “charismatic” enough. The worship music gradually appealed to me because of its unique passionate sound not often heard in churches b...
Read more

Toking the Ghost Revisited

Image
Back in February 2007, a fellow missionary I was traveling with started talking about “smoking the weed from heaven.”   He would pretend to have a joint of marijuana between his fingers and have “smoke breaks with Jesus.”   He also encouraged other believers to take “hits.”   I was a bit uncomfortable with this idea but didn't contest it. Then in October of that year, I heard John Crowder preach on “toking the Ghost” at a church in my hometown of Fargo, North Dakota.   I was inspired to make a video with John to share with my missionary friend.   During the filming, I experienced much laughter. I decided to make the video public figuring other people might enjoy it also. Two weeks later at a church in Minnesota, I heard Benjamin Dunn share testimonies of people getting healed from “toking the Ghost.”   This was just before he and John Crowder started ministering together.   I believed this was God confirming His word in the mouth of ...
Read more