Jonathan Edwards and the Great Awakening

Why did the Great Awakening occur and how is it applicable to life today?

           Puritans led lives that were initially focused on God and the rejection of materialism, but problems developed within the community. Over time, they became complacent and would go through the motions without feeling the conviction or the closeness to God; they were bored with religion (http://www.great-awakening.com/?page_id=12). Also, conflicts with the Indians and other religious groups led to a wild and rebellious nature which led to drinking, cursing, sexual promiscuity, and other forms of sin. Some churches were even led by preachers that had not even converted. When two popular young adults died unexpectedly, many people began to wonder about the meaning of life and the afterlife (http://www.revival-library.org/pensketches/revivals/1st_edwards.html).

Jonathan Edwards was a very gifted speaker, and with his words 300 people were initially converted. Then the word quickly spread because the newly converted would go door to door and tell people about God. Jonathan Edwards was radical at this period of time because he preached that good works would not get one to heaven; belief in God was the only thing that was necessary. Jonathan Edwards also pushed for kindness towards people of other religions (http://americanhistory.about.com/od/colonialamerica/p/great_awakening.htm).

          Another great influence was a man named George Whitefield (http://www.revival-library.org/pensketches/revivals/1st_edwards.html). George Whitefield was a British minister who traveled around the colonies preaching. When he returned to England, he also spread the religious enthusiasm in the homeland, which led to the Great Awakening in England (http://americanhistory.about.com/od/colonialamerica/p/great_awakening.htm). Here is a video with a more in depth look at George Whitefield: The Lightning Rod of the Great Awakening

The Great Awakening was a little glimpse of what would come with the American Revolution. It only takes a couple of leaders to generate many followers for a cause. When the colonists were filled with vigor for a cause they would enact changes. If they were not happy with the religion then they would modify it just as if they were not happy with the government they would modify that too (http://www.great-awakening.com/?page_id=12).

It seems that there was a cycle of religious fervency, religious lax, and then renewed vigor. This is applicable today because many people are raised in a Christian household but then question their beliefs because of a life changing event such as the death of a young relative. A lot of people rediscover the appeal of their own religion and might even attend a more appealing church like the Puritans did when they discovered Jonathan Edwards. Some people also disaffiliate from their religion or convert to a new one.