On Being Anointed and the Great Awakening Essay - 3429 Words

Why do we need another Great awakening? When I think of an Awakening, even after our class, my mind immediately goes to images of eighteenth century revivalists like Jonathan Edwards, George Whitfield, Jereena Lee and a large constellation of other preaching giants of yesteryear. These men and women created a legacy of spiritual fervor which has earned them a place in the annals of American religious history. Their effectiveness as preachers of the word and proclaimers of truth permeated a nation’s consciousness and snatched the nation from spiritual decline. Several questions arise as I think of the Awakenings of years past. My first question is whether our nation is as spiritually receptive of an Awakening as it was two hundred years†¦show more content†¦Perhaps that is what we need a contemporary awakening to do. In the face of drone strikes, unending poverty, mass-incarceration, and myriad social issues with spiritual ramifications, an Awakening is what is needed to turn this nation, its culture and its people around. I think there needs to be a turning to a moral center; be it God (thinking out of my Christian context), or to a common place of civility and mutual understanding. The church has a unique role to play in bringing renewal and restoration to the brokenness of the world. I think that the mission the broken, crucified, despised Jesus was and is healing brokenness. Jesus Christ was â€Å"anointed† to do the work of restoring a sick and sad nation. I, therefore, hold as my point of departure that in Jesus Chri st we are anointed to preach in a way that will awaken the nation to wholeness and to the reality of God’s reign on Earth. In light of my theme, this paper hopes to accomplish three goals. My first goal is to reflect on the calling forth of bold, brave, and anointed preachers in James A. Forbes’ book The Holy Spirit and Preaching. Second, I will explore the preaching ministry of Howard Washington Thurman who, I think, exemplifies what it means to operate in the anointing of Christ. Finally, I will take these considerations about the Holy Spirit and Howard Thurman, and reflect on my own preaching ministry, which nears elevenShow MoreRelatedDiscusses Confucius contributions in the humanities by explaining his concept of moral rectitude.1191 Words   |  5 Pagesimportance in the forming of Chinese culture. Confucius plan and simple approach to life, revealed his deep seeded beliefs that through great human effort one can shape their own future. He had great faith in th e ordinary man and believed that they are teachable and perfectible. Confucius believed that ordinary humans could be come awe-inspiring with wisdom and great knowledge. The quest to improve one s self became deeply rooted in the Confucian heritage. Confucius concept of moral rectitude wasRead MoreWomen s Rights Of Women2435 Words   |  10 Pagestowns, or rural areas. 52. Hindrance to acceptance and receptivity in their chosen vocation as minister was mainly associated with long-standing scriptural interpretations that reflected woman in a subservient role. â€Å"The role of woman did not include being in a leadership position, especially within the church setting. These beliefs became embedded in the communities† (Neal, T. J.,2007). 53. Preato (2005) comments on female leadership positions in church in this manner on Paul’s â€Å"Let the women keep silent