The "Strange Fire" of John MacArthur

BOOK REVIEW

Strange Fire by John MacArthur

Reviewed by Eddie L. Hyatt

As a life-long Pentecostal-Charismatic, I recommend that every Pentecostal-Charismatic leader read Strange Fire by John MacArthur. I say this because we need to see how the bizarre “spiritual” behavior and doctrinal extremes by some in our movement are viewed by those on the outside, and used to whitewash the entire movement. We have done a very poor job of addressing these problems from within, so I do not doubt that God has raised up a voice that is fundamentally opposed to our movement to address these extremes. If God could use a pagan Babylonian king to discipline his people Israel for their sins (Jeremiah 25:8-11), could he not use a merciless fundamentalist preacher to point out our shortcomings?

That being said, MacArthur’s latest book does not represent an honest search for truth. It is obvious that his mind was already made up when he began his research for Strange Fire, and he found what he was looking for. He presents a circular argument, beginning with a faulty premise and proceeding with selective anecdotal evidence that determines the outcome. He begins with a commitment to cessationism, i.e., the belief that the miraculous gifts of the Holy Spirit were withdrawn from the church after the death of the twelve apostles and the completion of the writings of the New Testament. That being the case, then modern expressions of Spiritual gifts must be false. He then utilizes the selective anecdotal evidence to buttress his presupposition, which leads him back to his starting point of cessation.

It seems that MacArthur wants to believe the worst about the movement of which he writes. At times I felt he was embellishing the bad to make it even worse. For example, Oral Roberts was not a Christian brother with whom he had profound differences but a heretic who did much damage to the body of Christ, “the first of the fraudulent healers to capture TV, paving the way for the parade of spiritual swindlers who have come after him” (155). Make no mistake about it, MacArthur is not out to bring correction to a sector of Christianity with which he disagrees; his goal is to destroy a movement he considers false, heretical and dangerous.

MacArthur is either unaware or purposely ignores the historical evidence for the continuation of the miraculous gifts of the Spirit as was presented in my book, 2000 Years of Charismatic Christianity. He ignores clear statements of church fathers such as Justin Martyr, Irenaeus, Tertullian and Augustine about healings and miracles in their time. He uses Augustine’s statement about tongues being “adapted to the times” as an argument that the gifts had ceased. He ignores, however, Augustine’s later works, including Retractions, in which he acknowledges the ongoing miraculous work of the Spirit and tells of miracles of which he is personally aware.

MacArthur’s Biblical argument for cessation is also very weak. He relies primarily on Ephesians 2:20 where Paul told the Ephesian believers that they were being built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets. He then argues that the gift of apostleship was only for the foundational period of the church, which in his mind is the first century. He then argues that the other gifts of the Spirit passed away with the gift of the apostle. This, at its best, is convoluted thinking that goes far beyond what the text actually says. Paul’s point in this passage is not to teach cessationism, but to show the common faith of Gentile and Jewish believers in that both are built on the same foundation, which is Jesus Himself, and this fact is witnessed to by the Old (prophetic) and New Testament (apostolic) writings.

MacArthur’s disdain for women and their prominence in the Pentecostal-Charismatic movement spills over when he refers to I Corinthians 14:34, which carries the admonition for women to be silent in the churches. He then says, “Given the nature of typical Pentecostal and charismatic church services, simply following that final stipulation would end most of the modern counterfeit” (152). He fails, however, to address the fact that Scripture itself states that women will have a prominent voice when the Holy Spirit is poured out on all flesh, as Peter so eloquently stated in Acts 2:17-18. The prominence of women, therefore, may be seen as an indication that the modern Pentecostal-Charismatic movement is a genuine work of the Holy Spirit.

In summary, we who embrace the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit in the Church and the world must not flinch or compromise our commitment because of Strange Fire. At the same time, may we be diligent to address the errors and extremes that always creep in to any Spirit filled movement, whether the church in Corinth, early Methodism or the modern Pentecostal-Charismatic movement. 

IT'S TIME

A New Consecration for a New Season in God

Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the LORD will do wonders among you (Joshua 3:5)

“It’s time!” are the two words I recently heard from the Lord that have had an incredible impact on me. These two words have released in me a sense of faith and expectancy beyond anything I have known, probably in years. It released a sense in me that things I have prayed about and put off in the future are now here. I am not to cry out for revival and awakening as I have in the past, but I am to walk, act and speak in the realization that God’s time to act mightily on our behalf is here. Then, just recently, God showed us what I believe is the next step in moving more fully into this new season into which He has brought us.

God’s Call to a New Consecration

It was during our Tuesday night stream and I spoke in passing about Elizabeth Eliott and how her husband, Jim, was murdered along with four other young missionaries by the Auca Indians of South America, whom they were trying to reach for Christ. Elizabeth and some of the other wives later returned to this same tribe and led to Christ the very men who had murdered their husbands. As I told this I began to weep and I had this clear realization that God was calling “us” to a new level of consecration. At the same time the words of Joshua, as he was about to lead Israel into the Promised Land, were brought with force to my mind. And Joshua said to the people, consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the LORD will do wonders among you (Joshua 3:5). A new consecration is necessary if we are to fully enter the new season to which God has brought us.

Definition

Consecration is the giving over of a thing or person completely to God. A friend recently pointed out that there is an element of “destruction” in many of the Old Testament passages about consecration. Idols must be destroyed; and consecration may involve the destruction of things in our lives that are not pleasing to God. Consecration may look differently in your life and mine; but as we give ourselves unreservedly to God He will take, and maybe destroy, the thing that is distracting us and keeping us from fully loving and obeying Him.

An Experience from My Past

I recall as a young man, and new believer, having to lay my musical abilities and aspirations on the altar and give them completely to God. As a young person I loved to play and sing country-rock music in parties, bars, and other unsavory settings. When I gave my life to Christ, I put it all away for a time, but then I began to slip back into playing the old songs when I would stop by the homes of old friends and they would want to get out the instruments and jam. But even as I would play, there was a struggle going on inside for I knew this was the one area that had the power to pull me away from the Lord. It was an idol that had to be destroyed!

Then one day I received an invitation to do a gig that was very appealing and attractive to my flesh and ego. I decided I would accept in spite of the struggle that was going on inside of me. The night after receiving the invitation I went to church and experienced the hand of the Lord upon me in a powerful way, calling me to give myself and my music completely and singularly to Him. At the end of the sermon, I went to the front of that small church and knelt before the Lord. I laid everything on the altar, giving myself completely to Him! I said, “Lord, if you will help me, from this moment forward I will only play songs that bring glory and honor to you.”

That was my consecration and something astonishing happened on the inside of me. There came an incredible joy that seemed to consume me for the next several days. I recall driving alone in my car and shouting at the top of my voice because I could not contain the happiness and joy that was bursting forth from my heart. The power of that temptation was broken and from then on it was easy to say, “No.” I have been completely free ever since. But the interesting thing is, even though I have no passion or desire for secular music, if I were to find myself in a situation where it would be appropriate to play a wholesome non-Christian song, I am free to do so.

Consecration Brought a Miracle into Our Family

Many of you have heard the story of the miraculous healing of my brother, Pete, when three doctors said he would not live more than ten minutes after he was run over by a farm tractor at the age of seven. It was a new and fresh consecration by my father that led to the miracle. When our Dad heard those devastating words from the doctors, the only thing on his mind was that for five years he had ignored the clear call of God to preach the Gospel. He had told no one of this call, for it seemed impossible since he only had a fourth grade education and a family to care for.

But as they wheeled Pete away he stepped into a bathroom and made his consecration to God. Outwardly, it looked simple, but for Daddy it was a very serious and heart-felt act. He raised his right hand and said, “Lord, I’m ready!” At that moment the power of God fell and Pete was instantly and miraculously healed. One of the doctors returned a while later and said, “Mr. Hyatt, there has been a Higher Power here tonight!”

Conclusion

Just before the children of Israel were to cross the Jordan and begin possessing their God-given inheritance, Joshua said to them, Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the LORD will do wonders among you. (Joshua 3:5). I believe consecration is a necessary prerequisite for fully possessing our God-given inheritance, and entering the new season to which He has brought us. It’s time!

I urge you to go ahead now and offer yourself to God, no strings attached. Consecrate yourself to Him. Put yourself on the altar and tell God that you and all you have belong to Him. Be assured that He loves you more than you can imagine; and as you give yourself to Him, He will bless you in ways you never thought possible. 

To view the message I recently presented on consecration (mentioned above), click this link. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-yGGgd6WJlE&feature=youtu.be

DON'T YOU QUIT

“I have not yet begun to fight,” Captain John Paul Jones signaled to the captain of the 50-gun British frigate, the Serapis, that seemed to have Jones and his smaller ship, the Richard, at their mercy during a battle during the Revolutionary War. Realizing he was out-manned and outgunned by the larger ship, Jones had attempted an unusual maneuver that failed. It was at this time that the British, who seemed to be in complete control, taunted him with an invitation to surrender. With a note of sarcasm and vehement determination, Jones gave his famous reply, "I have not yet begun to fight," and then went on to win the battle and force the surrender of the British fleet.

My word to you today is NEVER QUIT! NEVER GIVE UP! NEVER! NEVER! NEVER! When you hear the voice of the enemy taunting you and telling you it’s all over and you may as well throw in the towel, let him know that he has not seen anything from you as yet. Let him know that you are just now beginning to fight and lay hold of all that God has for you. Rise up today in the strength of our God and in the name of Jesus Christ. With vehement determination, face life with all its challenges and see what God will do for you as you move forward in faith. Don't you quit! Incredible victories await you!

Don’t You Quit

When things go wrong as they sometimes will,
When the road you’re trudging seems all up hill,
When the funds are low and the debts are high
And you want to smile, but you have to sigh,
When care is pressing you down a bit,
Rest if you must, but don’t you quit.

Life is queer with its twists and turns,
As every one of us sometimes learns,
And many a failure turns about
When he might have won had he stuck it out;
So don’t give up though the pace seems slow–
You may succeed with another blow,

Success is failure turned inside out–
The silver tint of the clouds of doubt,
And you never can tell how close you are,
It may be near when it seems so far;
So stick to the fight when you’re hardest hit–
It’s when things seem worst that you must not quit.

WHERE IS THE CHURCH?

Being Salt & Light in Our Generation

Like many of you I am very concerned at the things I see happening in our country. When I hear continuous reports of senseless violence throughout our land, like the gunning down of a young college student by three teenagers in the small Bible-belt town of Duncan Oklahoma who said they were “bored,” I wonder, “Where is the Church?” When I read where public housing and public schools of our nation are described as “mostly dreadful, dangerous, and amoral,” I wonder, “Where is the Church?” When I hear statistics that over 70% of babies born in the black community, and over 50% in the white community, are born out of wedlock I wonder, “Where is the Church?” When I hear a liberal news commentator lamenting the violence in our culture, the loss of values and the breakdown of family, I wonder, “Where is the Church?”

Is it possible that without realizing it we have lost our saltiness—our ability to have any impact on our culture—as Jesus warned in Matthew 5:13?

You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot (Matt. 5:13; NIV).

Jesus used the salt metaphor to communicate a very powerful truth. In the first century, before refrigeration, salt was used to preserve meats for long periods of time because salt restrains corruption and spoilage. Salt was also used for flavoring foods that otherwise might be rejected. Salt also has healing properties and all these factors made it very valuable in the ancient world. In fact, workers were often paid their wages in salt, which is where we get the expression of a man being “worth his salt.” But salt that had lost its pungency, tartness and strength was no longer of any value and was discarded.

Seeking Jesus for all the Wrong Reasons

I have come to the conclusion that the church in America has, to a great degree, lost its saltiness—its ability to influence society--because of a self-centered approach to the Gospel that makes personal comfort and convenience the number one priority. We preach Jesus as a means to personal happiness rather than as the End or Goal for whom no sacrifice is too great. We are like the people in John 6:26 whom Jesus chided for seeking Him for their own personal benefit.

Jesus had multiplied one lad’s lunch and fed a hungry multitude. When these same people later crossed the Sea of Galilee looking for Him, Jesus said to them, Most assuredly I say to you, you seek Me, not because you saw the signs, but because you ate the loaves and were filled.” In John’s gospel the miracles of Jesus are presented as signs that point to His identity as Israel’s long-awaited Messiah. Jesus is, therefore, saying to these people that they are seeking Him, not because they recognize who He is, but because of what they think they can get out of him. They see Jesus as a means to their end or goal of self-gratification.

When this is our mind-set, our whole life is lived for self and even our spirituality is tainted by our self-seeking. In his Lectures on Revival, Charles Finney tells of the many invitations he had received from churches and pastors wanting him to travel to their communities to promote revival. He says, however, “When I came to weigh their reasons, I have sometimes found every one of them to be selfish. And God would look upon every one with abhorrence.” Some wanted revival in order to raise their social status and influence. Others wanted revival to increase the numbers attending their meetings, which in turn would enable them to build new and larger buildings. Still others wanted revival so that they would feel superior to one or more congregations with whom they felt a sense of competition. They were seeking revival, but from self-centered motives. Jesus was merely a means to their end of personal success and gratification. Finney rightfully refused their requests (Charles G. Finney, Revival Lectures (Grand Rapids: Fleming H. Revell, n.d., 351).

I See a Vision of a Falling Away

In 1975, at the height of the Charismatic Renewal, I was sitting one evening cross-legged in the floor talking to the Lord. Suddenly I saw a vision of three overlapping arches, increasing in size from left to right.

I immediately knew in my heart that they represented three revivals. The first arch represented the revival we were experiencing at that time—the Charismatic Renewal. The second arch represented a second and larger revival that would emerge out of that current one and the third arch represented the final and largest revival that would emerge out of the second one.

But there was something different and unique about the second arch and I knew instinctively that it actually represented a “falling away.” As I thought on the second arch I heard the words “Jesus is a means and not an end.” I knew immediately that the Holy Spirit was saying that the next revival would be characterized, unfortunately, by Jesus being preached as a means to personal happiness and fulfillment, rather than as the End that we are to pursue and love with all our heart, soul, mind and strength.  

Listen to the typical sermon today and see if Jesus is not preached as a means to personal happiness rather than an End, in and of Himself. “Come to Jesus,” we are told. “Jesus will bless you!” “Jesus will heal you!” “Jesus will prosper you!” Now, there is truth in all this but these things are by-products of the Gospel, not its essence and core. We have lost our saltiness because we have preached a human-centered gospel—what’s in it for me--rather than a Christ-centered gospel that is centered in Him and His call for us to take up our cross and follow Him.

This is crucial for, as Finney pointed out, the end of all sin is self-gratification. Whether the act of sin is lying, cheating, stealing, adultery or murder, the act is merely the means to the end of gratifying self. In our modern Gospel Jesus is presented as just another means to self-gratification. Now, this is where repentance comes in; for repentance, which comes from the Greek word metanoia, means to “change the mind.” New Testament repentance refers to a change of mind-set wherein Christ replaces the self or ego as the center or end of life. This was an integral part of Paul’s message for he summed up the content of his preaching as, repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 20:21).

We Must Purge the Message

In his first letter to the Corinthians, Paul emphasizes the power of the message of the Cross of Christ and stresses the importance of guarding the essence and content of that message. For example, in 1:17 he says that Christ did not send him to baptize, but to preach the gospel—not with words of human wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power (NIV). Paul is saying that if we over-do it in trying to make the gospel more snappy, cool, and attractive to contemporary culture, we run the risk of preaching a gospel that has been emptied of its power. Is this not what has happened in the contemporary American Church?

In 2000 Sue and I were attending a week-long doctoral seminar on “Missions” at Regent University in Virginia Beach, VA. All week we discussed and heard lectures about various strategies and methodologies for bringing closure to the Great Commission. On Thursday around 4 p.m. someone suggested that we (a class of about 30 Christian leaders) pray. As Sue laid her head on the table in front of her, the Spirit of God hit her like a bolt of lightning and she began to intensely pray and intercede in the Spirit. The Holy Spirit then spoke and said, “You have been talking all week about methods and strategies for taking the Gospel to the world, but I want to purge the message you are taking.” There is no question in my mind that part of that purging involves moving from an anthropocentric (human centered) Gospel to a Christ-centered Gospel. Only a Christ-centered gospel has the power to transform lives and produce salty disciples whose very lives will impact our culture and our world.

His Priorities Must Become Our Priorities

If we are to see this nation preserved, we, as American Christians, must regain our saltiness. This means that we must move from a Christianity of comfort and convenience to a Christianity of commitment and character. This will require a shift from a faith that is centered in “me” and my desires to a faith that is centered in Christ and His kingdom, will, and purpose. But do not fear such a giving up of self for He has promised that when we seek first His kingdom, all these things will be added to you (Matt. 6:33).

There was a time when the American Church was salt, restraining evil and exerting a positive moral influence throughout society. The French sociologist, Alexis de Tocqueville, visited America in 1831 to study its institutions and discover the secret to its success. He arrived on the heels of the Second Great Awakening and at the height of the revivals led by Charles Finney. He was very impressed with the role of Christianity in America and wrote, “The religious atmosphere of the country was the first thing that struck me upon arrival in the United States” (Eddie Hyatt, America’s Revival Heritage, 83-84). Although the following quote is not found in Tocqueville's writings, it has been historically attributed to him and may have been passed along orally by someone who heard him make these remarks in a speech.

I sought for the greatness and genius of America in her commodious harbors and her ample rivers, and it was not there; in her fertile fields and boundless forests, and it was not there; in her rich mines and her vast world commerce, and it was not there; in her democratic Congress and her matchless Constitution, and it was not there. Not until I went into the churches of America and heard her pulpits flame with righteousness did I understand the secret of her genius and power.

Conclusion

I hold out a hope that the American Church can regain its saltiness as we turn to God and truly seek Him. Five years ago I had given up hope of America ever seeing another national awakening. But one day I was surprised by the Holy Spirit as for several hours my mind and heart were flooded with expectation and hope that we could see another Great Awakening—an Awakening that will revive and renew the churches of America, impact our culture, and stem the tide of secularism, immorality, and false religion that is flooding our land. I have hope that we can once again become salt and light in this world and to our generation, but we must purge our message.

by Eddie L. Hyatt
www.eddiehyatt.com

If you would like to read more about revival in America, check out Dr. Eddie Hyatt's latest book, America's Revival Heritage, available from Amazon and at http://www.eddiehyatt.com/bookstore.html. Eddie is also available to speak on this topic and you can contact him by sending an email to dreddiehyatt@gmail.com.

America's Founders Have Spoken: Are We Willing to Listen?

“It cannot be emphasized too strongly or too often that this great nation was founded, not by religionists, but by Christians; not on religions, but on the gospel of Jesus Christ.” – Patrick Henry, Founding Father

“It is impossible to rightly govern the world without God and the Bible.” – George Washington, First President

“The general principles on which the fathers achieved independence were the general principles of Christianity.” – John Adams, Second President

“The highest glory of the American Revolution is this; it connected, in one dissoluble bond, the principles of civil government with the principles of Christianity.” – John Quincy Adams, Sixth President

“I have lived, sir, a long time and the longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth—that God governs in the affairs of men. And if a sparrow cannot call to the ground without His notice, is it probably that an empire can rise without His aid?” – Benjamin Franklin, Founding Father

“I am a real Christian, that is to say, a disciple of the doctrines of Jesus.” – Thomas Jefferson, Third President 

A watchful eye must be kept on ourselves lest while we are building monuments of renown and bliss here below, we neglect to have our names enrolled in the Annals of Heaven.” – James Madison, Fourth President and chief architect of the Constitution

Unto Him who is the author and giver of all good, I render sincere and humble thanks for His manifold and unmerited blessings, and especially for our redemption and salvation by His beloved Son” – John Jay, First Chief Justice

“Our constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate for any other.” – John Adams, Second President

If you would like to learn more about America’s Christian origins, read America’s Revival Heritage by Eddie L. Hyatt, available from Amazon and at www.eddiehyatt.com/bookstore.html

AMERICA'S REVIVAL HERITAGE

Benjamin Franklin & the Great Awakening

Modern revisionists of American history tend to depict the country’s founders as a collection of atheists, agnostics, and Deists with little or no interest in God or the Bible. Nothing could be further from the truth! The truth is that the nation emerged out of a great Spiritual Awakening and all the founders, to one degree or another, were impacted by this Awakening. In fact, a recent ten-year project to discover where the founding fathers got their ideas for America’s founding documents, found that by far the single most cited authority in their writings was the Bible. 

The impact of the Great Awakening (1726-1760) on the founding of America is nowhere more evident than in the life of Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) who is widely considered to be one of the least religious of the founding fathers and a Deist. It is true that in his early years he did entertain Deistic views about God and the Bible. However, his religious sentiments and views changed through the years attributable, no doubt, to his exposure to the Great Awakening and his friendship with George Whitefield, the most famous preacher of the Awakening.

Franklin first met Whitefield in 1739 when Whitefield arrived in Philadelphia on a preaching tour along the eastern seaboard. Franklin was astounded at the impact of Whitefield’s preaching on the populace and wrote,

The multitudes of all sects and denominations that attended his sermons were enormous, and it was a matter of speculation to me, who was one of the number, to observe the extraordinary influence of his oratory on his hearers. From being thoughtless or indifferent about religion, it seemed as if all the world were growing religious so that one could not walk through the town in an evening without hearing psalms sung in different families of every street.

Although he preached to the masses, Whitefield knew the power of personal, friendship evangelism and he went out of his way to be a friend to Franklin, even asking Franklin if he could stay in his home when visiting Philadelphia. He also hired Franklin, a printer, to print and distribute his Journal and sought Franklin’s advice in business affairs such as the establishment of an orphanage in Georgia. Franklin welcomed Whitefield into his home, attended his meetings and even contributed financially to his ministry. In his Autobiography Franklin refers to Whitefield as “a perfectly honest man” and describes their friendship as being “sincere on both sides, which lasted till his death.” It is obvious that, in spite of their differences, their friendship ran deep.

In his Autobiography, Franklin acknowledges that Whitefield often prayed for his conversion and admits that Whitefield did not live to see his prayers answered. There is evidence, nonetheless, that Franklin did come to know the Savior that Whitefield so often spoke to him about.

We know that Franklin became an avid reader of the Bible and often attended church, depending on who was preaching. In a letter to his daughter he spoke to her about “the necessity and duty of attending church.” After a voyage to England in 1757, during which the ship almost crashed at midnight into a small rocky island in the Atlantic, Franklin wrote a letter to his wife in which he said;

The bell ringing for church, we went thither immediately, and with hearts full of gratitude, returned sincere thanks to God for the mercies we had received. If I were a Roman Catholic, perhaps I should, on this occasion, vow to build a chapel to some saint; but as I am not, if I were to vow at all, it should be to build a light house.

The most telling example of the impact of Whitefield and the Awakening on Franklin came on  June 28, 1787, seventeen years after Whitefield’s death. Franklin was a delegate to the  Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia and the convention was about to be suspended because of unresolved dissension. It was a very critical moment. Franklin, now 81 years of age, rose to his feet and chided those present for their neglect of prayer and then called upon them to pray and ask God's blessings on their deliberations. He addressed the Convention president, George Washington, with these words.

How has it happened, sir, that we have not hitherto once thought of humbly appealing to the Father of lights to illuminate our understandings? In the beginning of the contest with Great Britain, when we were sensible to danger, we had daily prayers in this room for Divine protection. Our prayers, sir, were heard and they were graciously answered. I have lived, sir, a long time and the longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth—that God governs in the affairs of men. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without his notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without His aid? We have been assured, sir, in the sacred writings that except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it. I firmly believe this. I therefore beg leave to move that, henceforth, prayers imploring the assistance of heaven and its blessing on our deliberation being held in this assembly every morning before we proceed to business.

Franklin’s words (which were not the words of a Deist) were heeded. One writer has said that, “An atmosphere of reconciliation seemed to descend over the convention hall.” Petty grievances and local interests were laid aside and the delegates went on to complete their task of formulating the American Constitution and Bill of Rights. I think Whitefield must have smiled and all heaven with him.

Whether Franklin ever accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior in the modern evangelical sense, is still questionable. But what is without question is the fact Franklin was profoundly impacted by the Great Awakening and, as a result, he gave up his Deistic views and accepted the fact that the God of the Bible is a personal, caring God who answers prayer. He obviously held to a Christian world view and believed the morals taught by Jesus and the New Testament to be the greatest moral teachings the world has ever known. Such is the legacy of one of the least religious founders of the United States of America.

This truth about Franklin adds credibility to the statement of one of the more religious founders, Patrick Henry, who declared, “It cannot be emphasized too strongly or too often that this great nation was founded, not by religionists, but by Christians; not on religions, but on the gospel of Jesus Christ.”

This article was derived from America’s Revival Heritage by Eddie L. Hyatt, available from Amazon and from http://www.eddiehyatt.com/bookstore.html. 

AMERICA'S REVIVAL HERITAGE

James Madison & the Great Awakening

Karl Marx once said, “People without a heritage are easily persuaded,” and time has proven him to be right. Throughout history when the conquerors have wanted to assimilate the conquered into their own society and culture, the first thing they do is cut the conquered off from their past. With no sense of history, the conquered lose a sense of their own identity as a people and are then easily assimilated into the society and culture of their conquerors. This very thing—Marx’s maxim--is being played out before our very eyes in America.

Because we have lost a sense of our heritage or history as a nation, concepts of morality, God, government, education, and human nature—concepts that made this nation great--are being discarded before our very eyes. Because we have lost all knowledge of our true history as a nation birthed out of a great Spiritual awakening, we are now being redefined as a secularist, politically correct nation in which Christians and Christian values are being pushed to the fringes of our society. Yes, “people without a heritage are easily persuaded,” and because we have lost our heritage as a nation, our president can stand before a foreign Muslim audience and declare, “America is not a Christian nation,” with hardly a peep of protest from back home.

Whether this downhill slide into a moral and social abyss will stop is really dependent on how you and I respond to the crisis. A good time to begin our response is this July 4th in our congregations, special meetings and online gatherings. Why not take this 237^th birthday of our nation as an opportunity to help our people recover America’s heritage as a nation founded by Christian reformers and revivalists? My latest book, America’s Revival Heritage, gives all the tools needed to demonstrate how this nation was birthed out of a great Spiritual awakening that transformed the 13 American Colonies in the early and mid-18^th century.

For example, did you know that James Madison, the 4^th president and chief architect of the American Constitution, was trained at a college that was known as a center of Spiritual awakening? Only a few years before Madison enrolled in the College of New Jersey (now Princeton University), Samuel Davies received a letter, dated April 16, 1757, from Samuel Finley, a trustee of the college, who wrote, “Our glorious Redeemer has poured out His Holy Spirit upon the students at our College. The whole house was a Bochim (place of weeping). Mr. William Tennant, who was on the spot, says that there never was, he believes, more genuine sorrow for sin and longing after Jesus” (Eddie Hyatt, America’s Revival Heritage, 72). Madison’s mentor and president at this college, Dr. Jonathan Witherspoon, was a graduate of Cambridge University in England, a Christian reformer and a signer of the Declaration of Independence who declared, “Cursed is all education that is contrary to Christ.” After graduation, Madison continued at the College of New Jersey for an additional year, and during that time, he translated the Bible from Hebrew and Greek into English.  

That Madison was a committed follower of Jesus is evident from his many public and private writings. For example, in a letter to his friend, William Bradford, he exhorted him to make sure of his own salvation, saying, “A watchful eye must be kept on ourselves lest, while we are building ideal monuments of renown and bliss here, we neglect to have our names enrolled in the Annals of Heaven.” He also told Bradford of his desire that public officials would openly testify of their faith in Christ, and encouraged him to do so. He wrote,

I have sometimes thought there could not be a stronger testimony in favor of religion than for men who occupy the most honorable and gainful departments … becoming fervent advocates in the cause of Christ; and I wish you may give your evidence in this way.

In 1812, President Madison signed a federal bill that provided economic aid for a Bible society in its goal of the mass distribution of the Bible. Throughout his presidency (1809-1816), he issued several proclamations for national days of prayer, fasting, and thanksgiving.

Madison’s worldview was obviously shaped by associates and institutions with roots firmly anchored in the Great Awakening. This is why the late Dr. D. James Kennedy and Jerry Newcombe have said, “Madison’s political worldview was one shaped by the Bible more than any other source.”

This article was derived from America’s Revival Heritage by Eddie L. Hyatt, available from Amazon and from http://www.eddiehyatt.com/bookstore.html. A 50% discount is available for orders of 10 or more copies. Send such order to dreddiehyatt@gmail.com.

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