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First Great Awakening Analysis

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Instead, he sees it having an inflated reputation despite a confluence of factors suggesting the revivals were no more than fairly localized, sporadic bursts of religious fervor. First, Butler points to the fact that the First Great awakening is usually described as a Calvinist construct, which separates it from the contemporary revivals of disparate Christian sects. This is an important distinction as Butler says Calvinism wasn’t the preeminent denomination of the 18th century revivals. The revivals affected specific portions of the population but not everyone (111-113). Second, Butler disagrees with Kidd on the extent of George Whitefield’s impact. Despite delivering charismatic performances when he preached the Gospel, there wasn’t sustained change in local religious patterns in the places he spoke. Furthermore, the leadership of the revivals was not exactly cohesive. Whitefield held symbolic stature but didn’t hold strategic oversight on the local ministers that he influenced. A lack of unity only hampered the growth potential of the revival spirit and mission

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