Religious Historical Character Profile – Contribution (George Whitefield)

 For this week, submit a 5 page essay in which you explain the major contribution(s) that your historical character made on American religious history. Be sure to include, interact with, and review any literature and/or theological works they have may have written or known. Your final project must cite a minimum of 5 resources; only 3 of which may be websites.

As always, you should cite your sources using APA notation.

As you work on this assignment, keep this question in mind: Would this person recognize themselves if they were to read your presentation? 

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Running Head: GEORGE WHITEFIELD

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GEORGE WHITEFIELD.

George Whitefield

Student’s Name

Institutional Affiliations

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Date

George Whitefield

Some religious leaders brought the Great Awakening into the light from the American history and George Whitefield was among them (Whitefield, 2013). He was well known by about 80 percent of all American colonists. Even though only twenty-five years of age, he took America by storm congregating more than 23000 people to listen to his teachings. He was the first who formed a Methodist society conveying into the picture evangelical awakenings such as preaching in fields, holding conferences and publishing magazines.

Through The Great Awakening saw the rise of American Protestantism that had the spiritual message that God worked directly with people and not through institutions or churches. It was the first experience connecting the American colonies that gave way to a deeper sense of consciousness of sin among them and encouraged them of the second coming of Christ. With the shared communitarian spirit that awoke among the colonists who experienced the awakening, making self- sacrifices became a calling from their faith. This made them able to make sacrifices even when their land called for it (Whitefield, 2000). A stronger and deeper sense of meaning, existence and value was born from his teachings. Unity, empathy, sympathy and care were among the qualities experienced from Whitefield’s teachings.

The Great Awakening gave hope to the second coming of Christ, helping people live with the anticipation of so. This Awakening brought together more colonies than any other method used previously. Most importantly, the Christian’s religious experience was presented as the main object of focus instead of the church itself.

Reference

Whitefield, G. (2013). Sermons of George Whitefield (reprint). United States of America: Hendrickson Publishers.

Whitefield, G. (2000). George Whitefield’s Journals (reprint). United States of America: Sovereign Grace Publishers.