Lecture XXII – On Revivals of Religion

What is a revival of religion—and why do they begin, flourish, or decline?

In this episode, we walk through a classic lecture that defines revival not as emotional excess or manufactured excitement, but as “times of refreshing from the presence of the Lord.” The lecture explores:

• How revivals begin—often with the preacher, but sometimes with praying saints hidden from view

• The role of God’s sovereignty and human responsibility working together

• Why prayer, fasting, humility, and faithful preaching are essential

• Common reasons revivals decline—including pride, passivity, and fear of disorder

• A biblical defense of visible emotion in revival, drawn from both Old and New Testaments

• A warning against quenching the Spirit in the name of “order”

• A call for humility, faith, and perseverance until the knowledge of God fills the earth

This is a pastoral, searching, and Scripture-heavy reflection that challenges modern assumptions about revival, church growth, and spiritual vitality.