I have to say, with all the talk of man-centered, semi-pelagians running about in pulpits and churches, only attracting people by their creativity and talent I was a bit surprised to see this post praising George Whitefield. After all, Whitefield was the very definition of innovation and creativity when it came to crafting a sermon.
At an early age, he found that he had a passion and talent for acting and the theatre, a passion that he would carry on through the very theatrical re-enactments of Bible stories that he told during his sermons.
Oh, but it gets even worse:
Whitefield was also known to be able to use the newspaper media for beneficial publicity. His revolutionary preaching style shaped the way in which sermons were delivered.
So why is Whitefield admired and praised while current preachers who innovate, create and revolutionize detested by the watchdoggies?
Were one cynical one could conclude that Whitefield is admired by watchdoggies because he hasn’t been around for over two hundred years. A slightly less cynical person might conclude that he gets a free pass because they agree with him. Either way, it’d be nice to see a slightly less subjective view from the watchdoggies.
![Image of The Prodigal God (An Unabridged Production)[2-CD Set]; Recovering the Heart of the Christian Faith](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31Jl6fhDLxL._SL75_.jpg "The Prodigal God (An Unabridged Production)[2-CD Set]; Recovering the Heart of the Christian Faith")
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Tim,
Because he was THEIR innovator…
btw He had his critics and his quote about them is:
“Little do my enemies think what service they do me. If they did, one would think, out of spite they would desist from opposing me.â€
There is an interesting article on the topic of his critics… who sound very much like the “watchdoggies” of today!
http://www.mansfieldgroup.com/blog.php?id=36
Blessings,
iggy
I forget who said it, but it has been said that history is the cage that we keep historical figures in, in the same way that we keep bears locked away in zoos. Men like to marvel at the beauty of bears when they are locked away, just as they praise men like Luther, or in this case, Whitefield, when he is locked away in History where he can’t get at us – but the moment he is let loose those same men who once marveled and praised the animal are soon calling for his execution.
It’s easy to say we need more Whitefields, and I think we do – but I don’t think we would like him when he showed up, especially some of the more “Truly Reformed” Folk who refuse to allow an Arminian some breathing room, and would consider him a rank heretic.
Whitefield was once asked by his followers if they would see John Wesley (the Prince of Arminians) in heaven; presumably they were concerned that by Wesley’s rejection of the Doctrines of Particular Grace he was rejecting the Sovereign God. Whitefield’s response was “No, I am afraid not; for he will be so near the throne and we will be at such a distance that we will scarce be able to catch a glimpse of him.”
(something like that)
Either you “slice” it…the guy had a great last name!
Sincerely,
Keith Whitfield
PS: Maybe the “revolutionary preaching” style was an actually exposition of a Biblical text rather than a vulgarity laced poker analogy.
Correction: should read “actual exposition.”
Keith,
Are you saying that no one exposited Biblical text until 1700? Perhaps you should re-think following the teachings of Calvin, or Luther.
My favorite story about his preaching is that he would accompany texts that would talk about groaning like a woman in child birth with a re-enactment child birth. That’s the kind of thing that makes me wish they had video from back then.
Tim: Sorry. I misread your statement (which I quoted), although I will have to say that whatever/however Whitefield delivered a sermon, it still had to be better than the one I linked. (Secretly, I hope I related to him.)
“Re-think?” NEVER!!!! Off with your head for such blasphemy! (I would have used the word heresy but I didn’t want to get something started.)
Crawling back into my dungeon, now.
Sometimes I wonder what your internal dialogue is like.
And none of us would embrace Whitefield’s salary or schedule or lifestyle, and we would consider Wesley a kook!
What do you mean would? I do consider Wesley a kook. A kook I greatly admire. But a kook nonetheless.
Tim: Let’s just say, “it’s real dangerous in there!”