Andrew Fuller’s Theology of Revival: Divine Sovereignty and Human Responsibility in Spiritual Renewal
Ebook
Overview
Revival is the arguable heartbeat of evangelical Christianity. Though a theologically diverse and globally diffused phenomenon, evangelicalism originated in a distinctly Calvinistic milieu. Many Puritans in the seventeenth century, "evangelicals before the revivals," emphasized the work of the Holy Spirit, including the importance of personal conversion. Unlike theologically Arminian proponents of revival such as Charles G. Finney, many Puritans and early evangelicals believed and taught that the absolute sovereignty of God was compatible with human responsibility. Calvinistic Baptists in the early eighteenth century who rejected this tension declined numerically, yet a new generation of pastors led their denomination through this impasse. Andrew Fuller (1754-1815) defended Reformed doctrine in the Particular Baptist tradition while emphasizing the importance of human response in his preaching, writing, and fundraising for the Baptist Missionary Society. The fruit of Fuller's ministry included growth of churches in England, conversions among people groups in the Global South, and the preservation of Reformed theology in a challenging Enlightenment context.
“This carefully researched, well-organized, and clearly written
volume sheds light on Andrew Fuller’s theological approach to
spiritual renewal. It sets it in historical and theological
context, clarifies it against some alternative views, and applies
it to related topics. Ryan Rindels is to be commended for this fine
contribution to the growing literature on Fuller.”
—Christopher W. Morgan, California Baptist University,
Riverside
“In the middle of the long eighteenth century, far too many English
Particular Baptist communities were locked into a cycle of decline.
Their great need was revival. . . . Drawing heavily on the master
thinker about revival in this period, namely, Jonathan Edwards,
Andrew Fuller both crafted a theology of revival and actively
sought to promote it throughout his busy life. Ryan Rindels has
taken for his subject of this monograph this vital aspect of
Fuller’s life and helpfully delineated its variegated contours in
Fuller’s thinking and doing. A fine study.”
—Michael A. G. Haykin, The Andrew Fuller Center for Baptist Studies
and Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
“Andrew Fuller was at the center of a revival movement among the
English Particular Baptists that led to a missionary awakening
across the English-speaking world. In this important study, Ryan
Rindels ably demonstrates that Fuller’s theology of revival was an
extension of his larger theological vision for reconciling divine
sovereignty and human responsibility. This is a needed contribution
to Fuller studies.”
—Nathan A. Finn, North Greenville University
“It is positive indeed that Andrew Fuller’s importance as a
theologian and missiologist is now being recognized, with a growing
body of secondary literature examining various aspects of his
considerable legacy. This new study, which offers a lucid and
satisfying analysis of Fuller’s theology of revival, is one of the
best to appear in recent years. . . . Historians, theologians, and
thoughtful pastors will all benefit from it. It shines a light on
the past and also has the potential to illuminate current
debates.”
—Peter Morden, author of The Life and Thought of Andrew Fuller
(1754–1815)
“Scholars have long associated Andrew Fuller with the evangelical
revival. Fuller’s ministry-focused theology and warm-hearted piety
allowed him to incorporate that revival into Particular Baptist
life. Rindels offers a helpful examination of Fuller’s theology of
revival, and by doing so makes a helpful contribution to Fuller
studies.”
—David Rathel, Gateway Seminary
Ryan Rindels is pastor of First Baptist Church in Sonoma,
California. He earned his PhD in historical theology from Gateway
Seminary of the Southern Baptist Convention where he also teaches
as adjunct professor. You can follow him on Twitter
@RyanRindels.