I’m very thankful for the recent rise of the Christian documentary. Over the past few years we’ve been treated to quite a number of excellent productions that focus on key Christian characters, on important topics, and even on the whole sweep of Christian history. We are blessed to have access to this bounty of riches.

New to the field is Revival: The Work of God. Directed by Dan Pugh, written and presented by Jeremy Walker, and backed by Reformation Heritage Books, this film documents the history of revival. Better said, it documents the history of true revival, for the term is used in ways that are precise and imprecise, ways that speak of an unusual act of God and ways that speak of methods manufactured by men.
What is revival, or true revival? Revival is a supernatural, unexpected, deeply desired work of the Holy Spirit in which God’s people hunger for his Word and long for his glory. It is accompanied by an unusual sense of the presence of God, a deep awareness of sin, an overwhelming joy at forgiveness, and a passion to reach the lost. Though such revivals are rare, they have happened at a number of points in history and have often been carefully documented by those privileged to have experienced them.
Revival is essentially a journey through church history that pauses at a number of the incidents of revival to consider what happened and what we can learn from it. Though the film does offer passing reference to the early church, the Waldensians of the 12th century, the Lollards of the 14th century, and the Hussites of the 15th, it really begins with the Reformation, itself a revival, and then proceeds forward from there.
As the film progresses, Walker travels to each of the key locations, often filming in the very churches or buildings where revival broke out. Meanwhile, a good number of pastors and historians offer their own thoughts on the particular events or the subject as a whole. These guests include Geoff Thomas, Ian Hamilton, Joel Beeke, Sinclair Ferguson, Steven Lawson, Stuart Olyott, and a number of others.
There are many good takeaways from the film, though perhaps the two that stand out to me are the sovereign work of God in creating revival and the link between revival and suffering. To the first point, it is clear that revivals occur when God deems them good and necessary, not when mere humans do. Though we can and should cry out for revival, we need to be aware that they are rare and sovereignly-ordained. We should never attempt to manufacture them by our own efforts. And then while it is good to long for revival, we need to be aware that they are often accompanied by suffering, for God often purifies the church by suffering even as he blesses it with an awakening. Hence to plead with God for revival may also be to invite him to allow the church to endure a season of hardship. For that reason we ought to be aware what we are praying for when we pray that God would act in this particular way.
Revival: The Work of God is a good and helpful and well-made film. I might wish it looked at revivals beyond Europe and the United States, but, having been involved in a documentary project, I understand there are often constraints related to budget or even historical evidence. There is much we can learn from the history of revival and, hence, much we can learn from this film. I’m thankful to those who made it and am glad to commend it.

Good morning! Grace and peace to you.

(Yesterday on the blog: Our Hearts and Minds Turned Outward)
What Is Dispensationalism?
This is a helpful little introduction to dispensationalism courtesy of Keith Mathison. “Dispensationalist theology is perhaps best known for its distinctive eschatological doctrines, particularly the doctrine of the pre-tribulation rapture of the church. According to this doctrine…”
Every Corner Is Crowded
Isn’t this an interesting thought: “Can you imagine knowing the true and full history of even one single spot on this wide world of ours?”
Who Got it Wrong? Was There One Or Two Demoniacs Delivered?
George Sinclair: “The average Canadian does not read the Bible often—if at all. But they do know what ‘everyone knows’ that the Bible is full of contradictions. To many Canadians, this is one of several reasons why you should not take the Bible seriously.”
Defending without Becoming Defensive
“There is a difference between winning an argument and winning a person.” STR offers some tips on defending the faith without becoming defensive (or offensive, for that).
How to Spot Political Manipulation and Give It No Quarter
Bruce Ashford: “In the political sphere, manipulation seems to be the soup du jour. One might even conclude that some political leaders have elevated the logical fallacy to the level of their own literary genre. Thus, it is important for us to be aware of the ways in which our hearts and minds can be ‘stolen’ by political manipulation. Here are twelve of the most common distortion techniques used by political leaders:”
The Rise of the Preacher-Influencer
To be honest, there isn’t a ton that’s original or of particular value in this article. However, I do think the idea of “preacher-influencer” is a valuable one to consider. “It was meant to be a sermon on the importance of having faith in God’s vision, even when that task seems difficult. An object lesson from the book of Mark, in which Jesus heals a blind man by spitting on his eyes. But it’s how Pastor Michael Todd brought this message home that made the sermon unforgettable…”
Flashback: Learn the Lesson of Aaron’s Oily Beard
I’ve always wondered, what does Aaron’s oily head, oily beard, and oily clothing have to do with unity? It’s probably not the metaphor I would turn to—in fact, it’s kind of repulsive to me—, yet it’s the one David used. Why?

Those who understand God’s sovereignty have joy even in the midst of suffering, a joy reflected on their very faces, for they see that their suffering is not without purpose. —R.C. Sproul

It can’t be easy to be a young person today. I suppose it never has been, but it seems that today’s teens and young adults are forced to grapple with especially difficult questions. If that’s true of many different areas, it’s most notably true when it comes to matters of attraction, identity, and relationships. What was once crystal clear has become woefully muddy.

More to the Story

Jennifer Kvamme has worked with students for many years and is accustomed to helping them work through some of the big questions—questions related to sexuality, identity, intimacy, orientation, and so on. “I’ve watched middle schoolers grow into adults, listened as they shared their deepest struggles and highest joys, and seen Jesus heal pain and transform lives. I’ve heard their questions about God, life, and yes, sex. And I’ve grieved as I’ve watched students walk away from the church because they sensed judgment and exclusion and didn’t see how Jesus could be good news for them.”
And that is exactly what led her to write More to the Story—a book that is aimed squarely at an audience of teens and young adults. The title hints at where she begins the book—by explaining how God is telling a story in this world and how in that story sexuality is a glimpse of something deeper and more consequential. She traces the familiar storyline of the Bible to show that the God who created the world is now redeeming the world. And she explains how even our sexuality is a part of God’s design and his good plan.
With such groundwork in place, she devotes the rest of the book to ten big questions: Why does God care what I do with my body (if I’m not hurting anyone)? What am I supposed to do with such strong feelings of sexual desire? Why does it matter what pronouns I use? Why is sex “good” in marriage but “bad” before it? Along the way, she covers identity, gender, singleness, pornography, dating, abuse, and more.
Written from the perspective of a mentor to a younger person, Kvamme offers a perspective on sexuality that is firmly grounded in the Bible. She writes with compassion and concern but never wavers in her conviction that God’s way is the best way. She shows how the Bible is the only trustworthy guide for sexuality and that the best life is the one that is deeply submitted to the Lord. This is a book that can guide young people through the many fictions of the modern world to ensure they know there is much more to the story than they have been told.