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Book Review: Revival! by Richard Owen Roberts

Revival! is a practical look at divine revival as seen by one man. Richard Owen Roberts describes what he has learned that is not true revival. Roberts contrasts that with what is indeed true, extraordinary revival. He explains that revival is not a series of scheduled gatherings where a guest Evangelist proclaims truth about God’s scripture. He goes on to express that revival is not mass evangelism. Revival is, most of all, is not and emotional extravaganza. In the first chapter he exclaims that revival is “an extraordinary movement of the Holy Spirit producing extraordinary results.”
Chapter two, titled “When Is Revival Needed?” explains the backslidden state of the believer and gives twenty-five explanations of possible backsliding situations. He boldly, perhaps harshly, hammers away at the marks of a Christian in need of a personal reviving by the Holy Spirit.
Chapters three through seven emphasize issues such as when revival from God can be expected, the realities within true revival, the hindrances and dangers of revival, and lastly the question of “What happens after revival?” He warns that without diligent prayer and study of Scripture, sensitivity to the renewing Holy Spirit will not last. An overarching point made by Roberts throughout the text is the idea that for change to occur from within, one must not only be in prayer and study, but one must practice ongoing and honest repentance. Without such action, revival will never take place; neither from within the soul nor from within the greater church!

A Matter of Opinion

In my estimation, this book provides a solid look at experienced revival. There are, no doubt, very relevant truths within the pages of this text. A word of warning from me to any reader of this book would be that Roberts comes across extremely harsh. It appears that one of the favored words of the book is the term “backslider.” He offers suggestions of how one would go about change, while still coming off as condescending. My suggestion would be to read it through, glean the great truths that are apparent, but be watchful of an over emphasis in “wrongs done” without fair explanation of Christ’s freedom and the joy that comes from His salvation.

Details

Title: Revival!
Edition: 2nd
Author: Richard Owen Roberts
Introduction by: Richard Owen Roberts
Publisher: Richard Owen Roberts, Publishers
Publication City: Wheaton, IL
Date: 1991
Number of Chapters: 7
Number of Pages (Actual Text): 121

posted by Bryan Laramore @ 1:00 PM