Best Books on Accounts of Revival
Revival, in the Reformed tradition, refers to an extraordinary outpouring of the Holy Spirit that produces widespread conviction of sin, genuine conversion, and renewed zeal in the church, as distinct from man-made revivalism or manufactured religious excitement. Historic accounts range from the eighteenth century Great Awakening under Jonathan Edwards and George Whitefield to the twentieth century Hebrides Revival. Grace Online Library gathers firsthand narratives alongside Reformed historical analysis of these movements.
Start Here
basic
Sounds from Heaven: The Revival on the Isle of Lewis, 1949-1952
Top pickColin and Mary Peckham · 2011
A vivid firsthand account of the twentieth century Hebrides Revival under Duncan Campbell.
A Narrative of Surprising Conversions
Jonathan Edwards · 1737
Edwards' own eyewitness report of the 1734-35 Northampton awakening, in his own words.
Revival: A People Saturated with God
Brian H. Edwards · 2019
A readable survey of what revival is and how to recognize a genuine work of God.
Pentecost-Today? The Biblical Basis for Understanding Revival
Iain Murray · 1998
A short biblical primer distinguishing true revival from claims of a second Pentecost.
Go Deeper
intermediate
Revival and Revivalism: The Making and Marring of American Evangelicalism 1750-1858
Top pickIain Murray · 1994
The definitive Reformed history distinguishing true revival from man-made revivalism.
George Whitefield: God's Anointed Servant in the Great Revival of the Eighteenth Century
George Whitefield · 1990
A one-volume abridged life of the great evangelist of the eighteenth century awakening.
The Puritan Hope: Revival and the Interpretation of Prophecy
Iain Murray · 2014
Traces the Puritan expectation of gospel triumph that fueled hope for revival.
Revival: Spiritual Awakening in the Reformed Tradition
Michael A. G. Haykin · 2024
Explores the Great Awakening and the Particular Baptist revival through Reformed eyes.
For Study
advanced
George Whitefield: The Life and Times of the Great Evangelist of the Eighteenth-Century Revival, Vol. 1
Top pickGeorge Whitefield · 1970
The definitive unabridged scholarly biography of the great awakening's chief evangelist.
The Works of Jonathan Edwards, Vol. 4: The Great Awakening
Jonathan Edwards, ed. C.C. Goen · 1972
The critical scholarly edition of Edwards' primary revival writings and correspondence.
George Whitefield: The Life and Times of the Great Evangelist of the Eighteenth-Century Revival, Vol. 2
Arnold A. Dallimore · 1980
The concluding volume, covering Whitefield's later ministry and the transatlantic revival's mature years.
George Whitefield's Journals
George Whitefield · 1986
Whitefield's own primary source record of the spiritual awakening in England and America.
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A tiered reading guide of the best books on Accounts of Revival.