George Whitefield
by Thomas S. Kidd | Book Summary
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Author: Thomas S. Kidd
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This study of Whitefield seeks to demonstrate his impact in establishing a new, interdenominational religious movement in the early 18th century with his strong focus on preaching the gospel and conversion. Whitefield's preaching helped to propel the early rise of evangelicalism as a religious force. His role in the rise of Methodism and the practice of field preaching, as well as his many transatlantic journeys to preach the gospel, serve as a stirring example of a man ablaze for God. Yet he was not without challenges. The primary goal of this biography is to offer a "scholarly biography of Whitefield that places him fully in the dynamic, fractious milieu of the early evangelical movement" (p. 3). Whitefield represents one of the greatest evangelists in Christian history, yet he was also just a man with his own struggles, weaknesses, and shortcomings. |
Thomas S. Kidd (PhD, University of Notre Dame) is Distinguished Professor of History, James Vardamen Endowed Professor of History and Associate Director, Institute of the Studies of Religion at Baylor University. His numerous books include Who Is An Evangelical? The History of a Movement in Crisis; Benjamin Franklin: The Religious Life of a Founding Father; American Colonial History: Clashing Cultures and Faiths; and The Great Awakening: The Roots of Evangelical Christianity in Colonial America.
Kidd also writes at the Evangelical History Blog at The Gospel Coalition and writes regularly for outlets including WORLD Magazine, The Washington Post, and the Wall Street Journal.
George Whitefield
by Thomas S. Kidd
[ Book Summary ]
| Author | Thomas S. Kidd |
| Publisher | Yale University Press |
| Date | 2014 |
| Pages | 325 |
Overview:
The impact of George Whitefield's life and preaching in particular and the First Great Awakening in general on American church life is hard to overestimate. Previous biographies dealt with Whitefield's acumen for using the tools of his day — the printed word through newspapers and more — or on his celebrity and acting ability.
This study of Whitefield seeks to demonstrate his impact in establishing a new, interdenominational religious movement in the early 18th century with his strong focus on preaching the gospel and conversion. Whitefield's preaching helped to propel the early rise of evangelicalism as a religious force. His role in the rise of Methodism and the practice of field preaching, as well as his many transatlantic journeys to preach the gospel, serve as a stirring example of a man ablaze for God.
Yet he was not without challenges. The primary goal of this biography is to offer a "scholarly biography of Whitefield that places him fully in the dynamic, fractious milieu of the early evangelical movement" (p. 3). Whitefield represents one of the greatest evangelists in Christian history, yet he was also just a man with his own struggles, weaknesses, and shortcomings.
Thomas S. Kidd (PhD, University of Notre Dame) is Distinguished Professor of History, James Vardamen Endowed Professor of History and Associate Director, Institute of the Studies of Religion at Baylor University. His numerous books include Who Is An Evangelical? The History of a Movement in Crisis; Benjamin Franklin: The Religious Life of a Founding Father; American Colonial History: Clashing Cultures and Faiths; and The Great Awakening: The Roots of Evangelical Christianity in Colonial America.
Kidd also writes at the Evangelical History Blog at The Gospel Coalition and writes regularly for outlets including WORLD Magazine, The Washington Post, and the Wall Street Journal.