Archive for April 15, 2009


Apr 15

What Is Revival? Ray Ortlund, Jr. Answers

2009 | by Ryan Kelly | Category: Clarus 09,Quote

In anticipation of our Clarus weekend, I’ve been rereading some sections of books by our speakers, Ray Ortlund, Jr. and Sam Storms. In When God Comes to Church: A Biblical Model for Revival Today, Dr. Ortlund says this (p. 9):

Revival is the season of the life of the church when God causes the normal ministry of the gospel to surge forward with extraordinary spiritual power. Revival is seasonal, not perennial. God causes it; we do not. It is the normal ministry of the gospel, not something eccentric or even different from what the church is always charged to do. What sets revival apart is simply that our usual efforts greatly accelerate in their spiritual effects. God hits the fast-forward button. And this blessing spills out from the church to wash over the nations with an ingathering of many new converts.

May it be so, Lord! And may it be now!