Charles Finney: Revivalism, Controversy, and Lasting Impact
Summary
Charles Finney, a prominent figure in the 19th-century American Protestant movement, was known for his innovative and controversial methods in evangelism. His commitment to excitement and novelty in church practices was rooted in his postmillennialist belief that the world would be filled with the knowledge of God, as prophesied in Isaiah. Finney believed that excitement was necessary until the millennium arrived, which he optimistically thought could happen soon if everyone did their duty. However, he also warned that continuous excitement could lead to a breakdown, a caution that many have ignored over the years.
Finney introduced several "new measures" to break down opposition to the gospel. These included allowing women to preach in mixed audiences, holding protracted meetings, using colloquial language, praying for the unconverted by name, and allowing immediate church membership upon conversion. The most controversial of these was the "anxious bench," a precursor to the altar call, where individuals could publicly express their spiritual anxiety and seek conversion.
John Williamson Nevin, a contemporary critic, argued that Finney's methods were problematic, suggesting that Christianity should be about gradual development and instruction rather than sudden conversions. Nevin emphasized the importance of catechism and gradual spiritual growth, contrasting it with the excitement-driven approach of Finney.
Charles Hodge, another critic, pointed out that Finney's theology often left Christ out of the equation, focusing more on moral choices than on the gospel. Hodge argued that this approach was a different gospel, one that was more about human effort than divine grace.
Despite the controversies, Finney's impact was significant, partly due to his hard work, optimism, and powerful preaching style. However, his methods and theology were critiqued for their lack of focus on Christ and their potential to lead to a superficial understanding of Christianity.
Key Takeaways:
- Charles Finney's emphasis on excitement and novelty in church practices was rooted in his postmillennialist belief that the world would soon be filled with the knowledge of God. However, he warned that continuous excitement could lead to a breakdown, a caution that has often been ignored. [01:43]
- Finney's "new measures," such as allowing women to preach and holding protracted meetings, were controversial but aimed at breaking down opposition to the gospel. These methods were seen as manipulative by some, raising questions about their effectiveness and appropriateness. [02:51]
- John Williamson Nevin critiqued Finney's approach, emphasizing the importance of gradual spiritual growth through catechism rather than sudden conversions. Nevin believed that Christianity should be about growing into Christ, not just about immediate emotional experiences. [07:47]
- Charles Hodge criticized Finney's theology for focusing more on moral choices than on the gospel of Christ. Hodge argued that this approach was a different gospel, one that emphasized human effort over divine grace, which could be detrimental to true Christian faith. [14:29]
- The legacy of Finney's revivalism is mixed, with some genuine conversions but also many superficial ones. Critics like Mark Twain highlighted the ephemeral nature of such revivals, where initial excitement often faded quickly, leaving little lasting impact. [20:31]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:21] - Introduction to Finney
[00:45] - Finney's Postmillennialism
[01:22] - The Need for Excitement
[02:09] - New Measures and Controversies
[02:51] - Women Preaching and Protracted Meetings
[03:36] - Colloquial Language and Anxious Bench
[06:37] - Nevin's Critique of Finney
[07:47] - Gradual Development vs. Sudden Conversion
[09:05] - The Problem with the Anxious Bench
[10:39] - Finney's Impact and Criticism
[13:02] - Hodge's Theological Critique
[15:55] - Passion vs. Biblical Faithfulness
[17:12] - True Revivalism
[18:18] - Mark Twain's Commentary on Revivalism
[20:57] - Transition to Dwight L. Moody
[23:31] - Changing Eschatological Views
[24:07] - Conclusion
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Isaiah 11:9 - "For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea."
2. Matthew 28:19-20 - "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you."
3. 1 Corinthians 1:17 - "For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel—not with wisdom and eloquence, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power."
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Observation Questions:
1. What was Charles Finney's belief about the necessity of excitement in church practices, and how did it relate to his postmillennialist views? [01:22]
2. What were some of the "new measures" introduced by Finney, and why were they considered controversial at the time? [02:51]
3. How did John Williamson Nevin critique Finney's approach to evangelism, and what alternative did he propose? [07:47]
4. According to Charles Hodge, what was a significant theological issue with Finney's methods and message? [14:29]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does Isaiah 11:9 relate to Finney's optimism about the coming millennium and his methods of evangelism? Consider the implications of this belief on his approach to church practices.
2. In what ways might Finney's emphasis on excitement and novelty in evangelism be seen as both beneficial and potentially harmful to the church's mission? [02:09]
3. How does the critique by Charles Hodge about Finney's focus on moral choices over the gospel of Christ challenge the effectiveness of Finney's revival methods? [14:29]
4. What might be the long-term effects on a congregation that prioritizes excitement and immediate conversions over gradual spiritual growth and instruction, as suggested by Nevin? [07:47]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your own church experience. Have you observed a focus on excitement and novelty? How has this impacted your spiritual growth and understanding of the gospel? [02:09]
2. Consider the role of women in your church. How does Finney's decision to allow women to preach challenge or affirm your church's practices? [02:51]
3. How can your church balance the need for excitement in worship with the warning against continuous excitement leading to a breakdown, as Finney cautioned? [01:43]
4. In what ways can your church ensure that its evangelistic efforts are centered on Christ and His atonement, rather than solely on human effort and moral choices? [14:29]
5. How can you personally contribute to a culture of gradual spiritual growth in your church, as opposed to seeking immediate emotional experiences? [07:47]
6. Reflect on a time when you felt pressured to make a spiritual decision publicly. How did that experience affect your faith journey, and what can your church learn from it? [09:05]
7. Identify one area in your church's evangelism strategy that could benefit from a more balanced approach between excitement and biblical faithfulness. What steps can you take to address this? [15:55]
Devotional
Day 1: The Balance of Excitement and Caution
Finney's approach to evangelism was characterized by a focus on excitement and novelty, driven by his postmillennialist belief that the world would soon be filled with the knowledge of God. He believed that excitement was necessary to prepare for the millennium, which he optimistically thought could arrive soon if everyone fulfilled their duty. However, Finney also warned that continuous excitement could lead to a breakdown, a caution that has often been ignored over the years. This highlights the need for balance in spiritual practices, ensuring that enthusiasm does not overshadow the core message of the gospel. [01:43]
Isaiah 30:15 (ESV): "For thus said the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel, 'In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.' But you were unwilling."
Reflection: In what areas of your spiritual life might you be relying too much on excitement and novelty? How can you incorporate more quietness and trust in your relationship with God today?
Day 2: Breaking Down Barriers with New Measures
Finney introduced several "new measures" to break down opposition to the gospel, such as allowing women to preach, holding protracted meetings, and using colloquial language. These methods were controversial and seen as manipulative by some, raising questions about their effectiveness and appropriateness. Despite the controversy, these measures were aimed at making the gospel more accessible and breaking down barriers that prevented people from engaging with the message of Christ. [02:51]
1 Corinthians 9:22 (ESV): "To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some."
Reflection: What are some barriers in your community that might prevent people from hearing the gospel? How can you creatively and respectfully address these barriers in your own evangelistic efforts?
Day 3: Gradual Growth vs. Sudden Conversion
John Williamson Nevin critiqued Finney's approach, emphasizing the importance of gradual spiritual growth through catechism rather than sudden conversions. Nevin believed that Christianity should be about growing into Christ, not just about immediate emotional experiences. This perspective encourages believers to focus on long-term spiritual development and the deepening of their faith over time, rather than relying solely on emotional highs. [07:47]
Colossians 2:6-7 (ESV): "Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving."
Reflection: Reflect on your spiritual journey. Are there areas where you have sought quick fixes rather than long-term growth? How can you commit to a deeper, more sustained relationship with Christ?
Day 4: The Centrality of Christ in Theology
Charles Hodge criticized Finney's theology for focusing more on moral choices than on the gospel of Christ. Hodge argued that this approach was a different gospel, one that emphasized human effort over divine grace, which could be detrimental to true Christian faith. This critique serves as a reminder of the importance of keeping Christ at the center of our theology and ensuring that our faith is grounded in His grace rather than our own efforts. [14:29]
Galatians 1:6-7 (ESV): "I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel—not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ."
Reflection: In what ways might you be relying on your own efforts rather than on the grace of Christ? How can you refocus your faith to ensure that Christ remains at the center?
Day 5: The Legacy of Revivalism
The legacy of Finney's revivalism is mixed, with some genuine conversions but also many superficial ones. Critics like Mark Twain highlighted the ephemeral nature of such revivals, where initial excitement often faded quickly, leaving little lasting impact. This serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of ensuring that spiritual experiences lead to lasting transformation and genuine faith, rather than being fleeting emotional moments. [20:31]
James 1:22-24 (ESV): "But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like."
Reflection: Think about a recent spiritual experience or revival you have attended. How can you ensure that the impact of that experience leads to lasting change in your life? What steps can you take today to be a doer of the word?
Quotes
Finney was a staunch believer that that was true. It was connected to his optimism, and what he says that is so intriguing is we need excitements until the millennium comes, and the millennium will come soon. At one point he said, "If we all just do our duty, the millennium could come within three years," and then he said, "Of course, we know the millennium needs to come soon, because we cannot long continue excitements. A nervous system long excited will break down." [00:01:25]
But in his own day, what he was particularly remembered for as I mentioned last time, were these "new measures," the new methods he used to try to break down walls of opposition to the preaching of the gospel and to conversion as he saw it. Let me go through some of these new measures, because they may not seem quite so new or surprising to us in our day, but they were all of them quite controversial in this day. [00:02:23]
First of all, he allowed women to preach in mixed audiences. This was very shocking, for women to be allowed to pray publicly where men were present, and this lead to a good deal of discussion and controversy. Then he introduced what were known as "protracted meetings." When Wesley preached or when Whitefield preached in the 18th century, they would preach once, and then they would move on somewhere else to preach. [00:02:53]
Finney would also pray for the unconverted by name, whether they recognized themselves to be unconverted or not, and this understandably was rather controversial in his day. He also would allow people immediately on their conversion to become members of the church, and this was controversial because some people thought you need more than one sermon to be ready to become a member of the church. [00:04:34]
Nevin said, "Either you believe that Christianity is primarily about excitement and sudden conversions, or you believe that Christianity for most people is a matter of gradual development and instruction." A lot of people in the 19th century really loved biological metaphors. "We need to be growing up into Christ. We do not suddenly bloom in Christ," and the catechism is what leads us fully, gradually, maturely to understand the faith. [00:07:34]
Hodge wrote at one point, "The constant exhortation is to make choice of God as the portion of the soul, to change the governing purpose of the life, to submit to the moral governor of the universe. The specific act to which the sinner is urged as immediately connected with salvation is an act which has no reference to Christ. The soul is brought immediately in contact with God. The mediator is left out of view. We maintain that this is another gospel." [00:13:29]
Hodge would continue, "Conviction of sin is made of little account. Christ and his atonement are kept out of view, so that the method of salvation is not distinctly presented to the minds of the people. The tendency of this defect, as far as it extends, is fatal to religion and to the souls of men." And then really intriguingly, Hodge would write at another place of Finney's system, "A very slight modification in the form of statement would bring the doctrine of Mr. Finney into exact conformity to the doctrine of the modern German school, which makes God but a name for the moral law or order of the universe or reason in the abstract." [00:14:37]
I think this is an important warning to us. Just because someone has a lot of passion in their religion is not evidence that they are very biblical in their religion. Later Hodge's successor at Princeton, B. B. Warfield, would write a great tome, usually published in two volumes or more called "Perfectionism," in which he would write extensively about Charles Finney, after Finney's day of course. [00:15:55]
Warfield summarized what he had to say about Finney this way, "It is quite clear that what Finney gives us is less a theology than a system of morals. God might be eliminated from it entirely without essentially changing its character." Now, if your Christianity can get along without Christ and without God, it's not Christianity. It is not even close to Christianity and that is a serious critique that we need to bear in mind whenever we think about these things and about this whole matter of what in revivalism can be good and what can be bad. [00:16:32]
I like Nevin's definition of revivalism. He said, "Real revivalism is the extraordinary blessing of God on the ordinary means of grace." The ordinary means of grace are always with the people of God, particularly the preaching of the gospel and the administration of the sacraments. Those are always with the people of God, but sometimes God in his mercy sends the Holy Spirit to grant a special blessing where those ordinary means are operating, and that is what should properly be known as a revival. [00:17:24]
Almost always when Mark Twain commented on anything, he sort of had the best thing to say or at least the cleverest thing to say. Many people have forgotten that he has something very important to say about revivalism in "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer." Tom Sawyer was published in 1876 and towards the end of the novel, after Tom has escaped from Injun Joe, Twain writes that Tom had been in bed for two weeks with the measles and when he got out of bed, so this is quoting Twain now, "There had been a revival, and everybody had got religion, not only the adults, but even the boys and girls." [00:18:18]
It could come to town, it could convert everybody, it could be exciting, it could be new, it could seem to transform things. But within a few weeks, it was all gone, and that is not perhaps a fully fair or comprehensive statement, there were people who genuinely affected and changed by revivals and by revival preachers, but it is also true that there was a lot that was ephemeral and that was not lasting. [00:20:23]
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