In the Midst of the Years: A History of Reformation and Revival in America

Christians yearn for rapid advances in the progress of conversion in the world, holiness in their lives, and fruitful labor for the cause of God and truth. They want God-sent revival. These twelve chapters explore the periods and persons in American history that saw observable advances in these pervasive Christian hopes. Some manifested greater doctrinal purity than others, some highlighted distinctive personalities more than others, and some generated impressive statistics in the number of persons affected.  Readers are encouraged to consider the relation between zeal, doctrine, spirituality, prayer, preaching, experience, and attempts to discern evidence of a true work of the Spirit. The author has sought to avoid authoritative judgments on the messengers and their movements while hopefully including enough information and analysis to provoke thought and productive discussion on the subject.

View excerpt here.

Growing up in the Baptist South, we always spoke of revival in terms of meetings placed on the church schedule in the spring and fall. Once I began to wrestle with the doctrines of grace, one of my immediate questions was, “How does revival square with theology built upon the meticulous sovereignty of God?” Here, Tom Nettles shows that Reformation theology has always undergirded genuine revival, a reality shown to be true in America, where revivalism replaced revival and largely went to Arminian seed after the rise of Charles Finney. Do we have the means to secure revival, is it entirely a work of God, or is it something in between? Nettles, one of America’s pre-eminent church historians, is a trusted guide who knows how to answer these questions compellingly by a journey through the primary sources. This work can help us recover genuine revival in an age that desperately needs it.

Dr. Jeff Robinson
President and Editor in Chief,
The Baptist Courier, Greenville, SC
Adjunct Professor of Church History,
North Greenville University

America has a rich heritage of revival(s). In this survey of American awakenings, Tom Nettles traces the course of revival in America from the post-Reformation era to the Great Awakening, and from the 1858 revival in New York to the revivals of the twentieth century. Using the historical record to show both the roots and fruits of Spirit-worked revival, Nettles provides a balanced evaluation of the revivals that have defined American church and society, as well as of controversial revivalists like Charles Finney and Billy Sunday. May God be pleased to use this book to renew and revive the hearts of His people today, just as He did in centuries past!

Dr. Joel R. Beeke
Chancellor and Professor,
Systematic Theology and Homiletics,
Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary
Pastor, Heritage Reformed Congregation,
Grand Rapids, MI

Seeking revival is seeking God. The more we are content to live without revival, the more we need reviving. But it’s not manufactured emotionalism that is needed. What is needed is for the Word of God to be preached faithfully with the supernatural power of the Holy Spirit. What is needed is the spiritual and eternal fruit that comes from our hearts being renewed by a fresh visitation of God’s presence. What is needed is for God to be experientially magnified in our hearts, churches, and communities. The stories in this book are remarkable because they are nothing less than supernatural. Tom Nettles has a way of making history come alive. He not only identifies the true and false marks of revival in this excellent history of reformation and revival in America, but He also installs within the reader a greater longing to see the true fruits of revival in our day. By observing the wonderful works of God in the past, we learn what is greatly needed today. I pray that God uses this book to inspire His people to long and pray for a fresh visitation of His divine power in our day.

Jeffrey D. Johnson
Pastor, Grace Bible Church
President, Grace Bible Theological Seminary,
Conway, AR