37. George Whitefield

[@delontebrown-dockery7389]

Grace and peace from Houston, Texas brother. Thank you so much for theses church history series. They are golden, the church needs this

[@tkmac7802]

Thank you very much for this history great lesson!

[@riverjao]

Bruce Gore...can’t beat him! I’m soooo thankful for his Church History lessons here on KZbin! What a blessing! I’ve also begun his Greek courses and thoroughly enjoy them!

[@GoreBruce]

Thank you!

[@riverjao]

Bruce Gore Same to you!!!

[@douglaswilson122]

If there is anyone who I want to be in all of history it would be George Whitfield I preach everyday but will never be like this man I preach in 260 cities but everytime I want to be like this man now I have car so I walk and hike or travel from city to city maybe someone might give me a car one day could be my greatest gift thank you Jesus God bless

[@B.A.D4Life]

Thank you , Bruce Gore! I appreciate your Christian history lessons. Grew up in Baptist churches in Tennessee and North Georgia. Met my wife , she is from PA , at Tennessee Temple University 2002. I call my bride of 22 years my Little Fire Breathing Calvinist . She introduced me to RC Sproul and through the course of time , on the railroad at work, a brother in the Lord who attends an IFB church introduced me to your KZbin channel. Man, I love this stuff!!! lol!!!

[@GoreBruce]

Thanks brother. RC was one of my main guys as well!

[@delontebrown-dockery7389]

Blessed ✝️

[@mountainjay]

I'm endlessly fascinated with Puritan New England history.

[@SirMillz]

All of your videos have been an educational blessing. I have been considering taking some night classes just to learn. But your videos are like taking a class. Thanks for all you do and have done.

[@howardking3601]

Another great lesson from Dr. Gore! I am always inspired by the men upon whom God has poured out His spirit and the mighty acts He has worked through them. I read Arnold Dallimore's original 3 volumes on the 18th Century Revival when I was a young man. It moved me then; and no less now. The history of Reformed Christianity, its martyrs, and the lives of Tyndale, Calvin, Knox -- and so many more -- have been my study most of my life. I always marvel at what God can do with a mere man whenever He wills. Maybe He can use even me. I hope He has, in a small way. Never stop doing what you are doing, Mister Bruce, until you can't do it anymore. Many thanks!

[@GoreBruce]

Thank you!

[@williamjayaraj2244]

Thank you for the message on George Whitefield sir.

[@Jesusonlymediatorwithgod]

many are called,but few are chosen, many are preached to, but few truely repent and believe on Jesus

[@anngo1435]

Truly loving these series. Gold star for you sir.

[@GoreBruce]

+An Ngo Thank you!

[@franzitaduz]

I remember reading in Adam Clarke's autobiography that he and other Methodist circuit preachers preached five sermons on Sunday starting at five o'clock in the morning, until Wesley limited them to less to preserve stamina. Clearly the Lord gave him a special gift for his work.

[@parsonscarlson7984]

Thanks for another fine teaching on one of church history's greatest men. Bruce, you are a fine teacher yourself and as far as I can tell, your subjects are well researched. You are also doing a great service for many fellow Christians who need to know these storys. I fear I am becoming addicted to them. Truthfully, I am already addicted to another program on the internet youtube channel; "You Bet Your Life" with Groucho Marx. I watch them not only for the humor of Groucho Marx (or the DeSoto Plymouth commercials Ha-Ha), but for the interesting people, who for the most part, convey a sense of decency, respect, humility, and normalcy. There are some exceptions I admit, but in light of what passes for normalcy today in hairstyles, dress, and overt behavior, there's no comparison. With the tattoos, piercings, ripped jeans, skin-tight spandex, the return of the mini-skirt, bell-bottoms, and the bizarre hairstyles and colors, the human-race has become a satanic freak-show! But the Word of God has something to say about it. "Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil, who put darkness for light, and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter" (Isa.5:20,21). In short, woe to those who change normal to abnormal, and abnormal to normal. Unfortunately, it's gone beyond abnormal and has moved into the bizarre! The freak-show has got to stop at the church front door!!! Parsons Carlson

[@GoreBruce]

We do indeed live in desperate times, when people are desperate for meaning, but that desire can only be satisfied in Christ. Thanks for your thoughtful reflection on the state of things!

[@richardadams974]

Thx

[@flatearthevidence8473]

Thanks. Good clear teaching.

[@michelhaineault6654]

Finally modern Christianity is made mainly from the intellect of men more than from the teaching of the Holy Spirit but concerning the doctrine of God Sovereign Grace it's a true teaching of the bible and of the Holy Spirit.The true Gospel.

[@EdgeOfEntropy17]

Thanks for these videos. I truly enjoy them and have learned a great deal from them.

[@GoreBruce]

Thanks!

[@ayliniemi]

We need another holiness movement. I think there is a vacuum waiting to be discovered.

[@Hannah_7777]

That is exactly so. If we do not believe in election then we were so good to choose God. But Jesus said, you did not choose Me, but I chose you. I do not have goodness within me, but hideous pride and sin deeply hidden from myself. Only the Lord can show to man the depth of God depravity.

[@evacameron8670]

❤

[@scullyfox4271]

I'm struck by how many "movements" occur every few generations.

[@robertcontino3443]

Great history lesson Bruce on George Whitfield 👍 I'm thankful for these, and a new subscriber to your channel 👍👍

[@GoreBruce]

Thank you. You might be interested in a somewhat more detailed account of Whitefield's life in the Playlist: Presbyterians and the American Revolution.

[@mrnoedahl]

Whitefield was definitely called by God just like the Apostle Paul.

[@villarrealmarta6103]

30,000 ft. Away he could be heard by? That’s over 5 miles!! Can this be true? I feel like one of the doubting disciples asking this for some reason.

[@GoreBruce]

Sorry, that was not the intended sense.

[@villarrealmarta6103]

Bruce Gore I am the one who should apologize actually I listened again to it and I got confused, it was 30,000 people not feet. Thankyou for teaching these biography’s. God be with you.

[@tamebrown4901]

I love your lecturing so much. But in waiting to hear your take on Whitefield and Edwards as staunch proponents of slavery left me a little empty.

[@PeteJab]

It seems to me that George Whitefield was trying to outpace Paul himself. He seems like the type of person that was full of energy and life.

[@mrnoedahl]

There were people who came to Christ for healing, and there were people who Christ went to for their healing. The same can be said of salvation. For salvation is the greatest and most pressing healing we all need. Can a person who went to Christ to be healed make any claim that he had something to do with his healing. That’s absurd.

[@kara__kats4865]

Why did Whitefield later abhor the theatre as well as ballrooms? I'm not sure what is meant by ballrooms when I hear him and others talk about it. do you think Christians now ought to abhor the theatre/ cinema today?

[@GoreBruce]

The opinions of historical figures must be understood in the context of their time, not by the standard of our time. At the time of Whitefield, theatre and ballroom were little different from what we might consider pornography.

[@kara__kats4865]

Bruce Gore huh interesting. how so? Do you know of anywhere I can learn more about this? I read a tract from Grace Gems that was about the theatre, and it was put out by the American tract society, I think it the late 1800s. The author of this tract talked about how Shakespeare was scandalous, and he spoke of it much like Whitefield spoke of the theatre and the ballroom. However we would not consider Shakespeare scandalous in our day when comparing it to pornography or even some PG13 movies. What do you think Whitefield would make of today's entertainment? This is something that's been on my mind for a while! I thank you for being willing to have a discussion about it

[@neroetal]

Just in case ... Charles spergeon smoked to God's glory.. something I've never understood

[@parsonscarlson7984]

You can't understand it because it's not true. Nobody smokes or commits any type of sin to the glory of God. Spurgeon was justifiying his behavior according to Rom. 14:23 in Paul's teaching about the weaker brother's eating habits being condemned by a stronger, i.e. more spiritual brother. We do well to consider the whole chapter, but let vss. 22,23 suffice. "The faith you have, keep between yourself and God. Happy is he who has no reason to judge himself for what he approves. But he who has doubts is condemned if he eats / by his actions because he does not act from faith; for whatever does not proceed from faith is sin" (RSV). Contrary to popular church doctrine, sin is not only missing the mark (Rom. 3:23) or the transgression of God's Law (I John 3:4), the breaking of man's law (Rom.13:1-4), or just wrongdoing in general (I John 5:17), but anything - thought, word, or deed that violates one's conscious and incurs guilt. HOWEVER - we cannot sin in faith! In the case of Spurgeon, he made that statement to his congregation immediately after hearing an invited guest preacher deliver a powerful sermon on holiness including a message against smoking. Because everyone knew their beloved preacher smoked cigars, he reasoned it would be better to announce his intentions than to be a hypocrite and try to hide from his followers what he planned to do upon reaching home. Smoking used to be a sin, but today has become one of those "sanctified sins" of many-a modern church along with a whole lot of other evil-behaviors. I could say a lot more, but it's late. Parsons Carlson

[@jeffbarrett411]

If you are baptised with the Holy Ghost you don't need to prepare to preach. Whitfield would have spoken directly from heaven in real time. Reading the Word and prayer is preparation

[@tamebrown4901]

I want to thank you for atleast mentioning Whitfield's wicked history with black non Americans

[@GoreBruce]

Whitefield was hated far more by pro-slavery voices than anti-slavery attitudes because he insisted on educating slaves and devoted considerable time and energy to fund raising to provide just such a service. He, like the apostle Paul himself, did not condemn slavery outright, but fair historical analysis grants he labored to plant the seeds for the long-term destruction of that evil institution. We should always be cautious judging 18th century behavior by 21st century standards.

[@jazzjazz8815]

As far as slavery is concerned, I don't think the comparison between Paul's view of slavery and Whitfield of slavery is quite comparable. During Paul's era, most of the population had been slaves which is very different from very cruel and sadistic kind of racially motivated slavery that existed in the United States. Indentured servitude is probably more correct to refer to the social condition during the life of the Apostle Paul than slavery - at least the way slavery is practiced in this country. For sure, we all fall short of glory and wisdom but the fact that christians, including preachers approved or even accommodated slavery is one of the greatest sins committed to God's equally cherished people.

[@GoreBruce]

Fair enough. Thanks for the feedback!

[@TheHumbuckerboy]

There were Christians who opposed slavery during Whitefield's time but Whitefield himself was an advocate for slavery and he was a slave owner who left slaves in his will !

[@talosfranks1007]

If Whitfield thought slaves were worthy to hear the gospel, why did he own slaves? I know you wouldn’t know this, it’s just a curious contradiction. I guess we are all full of them.

[@GoreBruce]

We should always be cautious when judging actions of the past by standards of the present.

[@mrnoedahl]

Every Christian knows that God is sovereign. Just as He is omnipotent. Please stop playing the game that Calvinist are the only ones who believe God is sovereign. Two more points. People do not reject Calvinism on emotional grounds; they reject it on Biblical grounds. Also just because someone is not a Calvinist does not mean they are Arminian. That’s the same game the Democrats play. Oh you’re not Democrat so you must be Republican. You pride yourself in saying that Presbyterians usually take the middle ground. Well you would do good to do the same here. The sinner is able to see his inability to save himself before he is regenerated just as the Bible says. And then he calls out to God to save him, just as the tax collector did. Luke 18:13 “But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’ The Bible always puts faith (belief) before regeneration. Hebrews 4:2 For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.

[@shawnbernard918]

So who did he not address slavery that was so prominent at the time???I can't respect him as a man of God

[@douglaswilson122]

Just want to say God has given everyone a gift and what is yours look after it and I am sure God will use you but try your best not to despise others it will bring nourishment to your field if you keep your fruit there are too many lost why don't we try to win them for Christ God bless you

[@vheilshorn]

I confess I don't see the humility in the doctrine of election. In fact, the perspective it presupposes tends toward the opposite. One only "glories" in himself when he believes his actions are virtuous. But where is the virtue in a sick man choosing to go to a doctor? Choosing to be fixed only necessitates a recognition of brokenness. Likewise, we aren't doing Christ any favors by choosing His salvation. The Calvinist approach seems to view this choice as some sort of virtuous sacrifice; a "good" act to take pride in, and therefore inconsistent with total depravity and grace. But choosing to be saved is an odd place to find virtue. I'll bet those in the lifeboats didn't take pride in deciding to climb aboard the Carpathia. I'm sure the focus instead was in gratitude -- glorying even -- towards their saviors. I hope this doesn't sound contentious. I've just found in my spiritual walk that 99 times out of 100, if the focus of the doctrine is on "me" instead of Christ, it's usually wrong.

[@vheilshorn]

Sorry -- I deleted my earlier comment and therefore lost your response (though my notification gave me the first few words of it). I changed it anticipating a "no pride" response and I wanted the post to reflect that I already understood that perspective. I agree -- no pride. What I'm saying is that making the choice to be saved is nothing to be proud of or find virtue in doing. Salvation is something good God offers us, not something good we do for Him by accepting it.

[@GoreBruce]

Some people 'make the choice to be saved,' and some people don't. Those who make the choice to be saved can take credit for making that choice, even if the choice is only to receive a free gift! Election says, the choice itself was a gift, and thus no credit is possible for the chooser. Regardless of whether the idea of election is correct or incorrect biblically, it certainly is the view that deprives a person of any possible 'credit' and therefore, of any possible pride. The doctrine of election is the most humbling view of salvation possible.

[@vheilshorn]

I understand the doctrine. What I don't understand is the concept. This might help: Can you give me a different example of where a person who is in need of help (or salvation) would take credit for, be proud of, or glory in making the choice to let someone save them? Maybe the victim of a crime? Hurricane? Plane crash? Rescued from a burning building? Do people normally consider themselves virtuous and feel a sense of pride for choosing salvation in those situations? And if not, than why only when the salvation comes from Jesus? It's a deep question, and something tells me we're not going to find humility at the bottom of it. But I appreciate your response. Thanks!

[@GoreBruce]

The difference is that people in evident peril (crime, hurricane, plane crash, etc.) know of their circumstances. People in need of salvation do not. How is it that some people 'figure it out' and others with similar intelligence, education, upbringing, life experience, etc., do not 'figure it out.' What, precisely, is the factor that causes some to believe and others to reject?

[@vheilshorn]

We'll let St. Paul answer this: Romans 1: 18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19 because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. 20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse... I'd call the above foreknowledge of "evident peril". As to why some don't take this revelation seriously, I would argue that the doctrine of election doesn't take it as seriously it should: If it truly considered the utter horrors of eternal separation from God, and more fully meditated on our glorious rescue from such horrors by the sacrifice of Christ, it would be far too overcome with gratitude, praise and thanksgiving to concern itself with much of anything else. This has been a very interesting conversation! I hope I'm not bothering you too much. I don't suppose there would be so many different denominations if we all agreed on everything all the time. As ever, I enjoy your work so much and can't recommend it enough to all my friends. Thanks again!

[@WoundedEgo]

Grow-yer-own ear muffs. They go nicely with "the flat, pant-leg faux beard." George not appreciating that body slavery was intrinsically wrong calls his conversion into question; regardless of the "times."

[@StephenSulyok]

🙏