A study on Jonathan Edwards' approach to revivalism in the great awakening of America and its implications for a new revivalism of the Korean church
Abstract
This thesis firstly shows the historical background of Jonathan Edward's revival, which has its roots in Rationalism, Spiritualism, and Pietism. Rationalism by itself is too theoretical and weakens spiritual power; Spiritualism alone is too emotional and mystic and produces a weak foundation of doctrine and immature life; and Pietism pursues a mature life based on rational bible study, spiritual prayer, and the assurance of salvation through Jesus Christ.
In the next chapter, this thesis is focused on Jonathan Edwards' understanding of theological issues in revivalism. This chapter covers the understanding of faith, Spirit, conversion, and the relationship between enthusiasm and rationalism in the symmetrical balance of Rationalism, Spiritualism and Pietism.
The next chapter is about the characteristics of Jonathan Edwards' approach to revival. His approach to revival is characterized by three factors; intelligent revivalism, spiritual revivalism, and pietistic revivalism. Healthy revivalism can be discerned by twelve signs that Edwards suggested.
The last chapter is about the application of Edwards' approach to revivalism to the Korean Church. The context of the Korean Church is rooted in hurt emotion and three major religions; Buddhism, Confucianism, and Shamanism, so that revivalism of the Korean Church is very emotional, mystic, earthly, and dualistic. In revival of the Korean Church, the good point is its passion, which is powerful motivation to grow the church up, while the bad point is its immaturity, which is a main cause for confusion in the Korean Church. If the Korean church has a high quality harmony of intelligence, spirituality and piety like Jonathan Edwards' theology of revivalism had, it can be a dynamic force to make a powerful church which can fulfill the will of God in the last times. It is possible to have a healthy revivalism through constant study, enough time for prayer, and faithful discipline of revivalists.