These definitions did not originate with me, but are a compiling of those things that I have heard over the years.
We have heard these terms: renewal, revival, and awakening, thrown around over the years, but what are they? and, what is it we should be expecting?
Renewal is when the Lord visits His church in a unique and special way. The emphasis with renewals is that the Body of Christ is re-energized, strengthened, and made aware again of the love and power of the Lord.
Revival is a renewal but with the added element of evangelism. This is NOT to say that there is not evangelism, and salvations, that take place during times of renewal, but the focus with renewals are on Christians. Revivals take that focus and turn it outward. With true revivals, there will be a great push to see salvations. Think of the Jesus Movement days when it was easy to see mass conversions all over the country.
Awakening is renewal + revival that equals a change in the fabric of society. Awakenings will see drops in societal “evils” and increase societal “goods.” For example, there will be a drop in the crime rate, and you may see the police force not needed nearly as much. There will be better crops, better manufacturing, and better workers. People will learn to love and do good to one another; and, it will happen in such amounts, that there is a shift in that society.
Obviously, these are not hard and fast definitions. There will be overlap between the three. But, these should serve as a starting point in the conversation.
We often use “Revival” as the catch-all for any and all of these. It’s like calling “facial tissue” Kleenex. I often use “revival” that way, and I know most people do too. So, no finger pointing 😉 But, there are times that we need to be specific, and hopefully these definitions will help.
So, what do I believe is in store: All of the above! Our society is at a point that only Jesus can bring it back. The Church desperately needs to be renewed. Our society needs a huge dose of evangelism. And, the depth of depravity in society has to be checked, and go the other direction. We need to be praying for all three–a true societal awakening brought about by the Triune God!
Soli Deo Gloria,
Ryan
Habakkuk Ministries 