Christian and mainstream social media has been full of the news of events at Asbury University in Kentucky. Thousands have been attending chapel services and crowds have been gathering from all over the USA and beyond. It has been called a revival, an awakening and a move of God, a work of the Holy Spirit.
From what I have observed on line by listening to testimonies, discussions and videos, there does seem to be a genuine and sincere expression and experience of praise, worship, repentance and deeper commitment to the Lord.
I rejoice with those who have found joy in their discipleship, a closer walk with the Lord Jesus Christ and a deeper commitment to Him.
Yes, there may be some questionable theology and dodgy doctrines shared by a minority, and some things that offend the hypercritical, the pharasaical cynics, the ultra pious and theologically sophisticated.
But when all is said and done, I rejoice in the work of God at Asbury, in the praise, in the worship, in the frequent recitation of the Bible, in the real repentance and conviction of sin by people at the chapel services etc.
Jonathan Edwards put forward a five fold test of revival. At Asbury, to some extent, one could argue that the test has been met, the five fold criteria are evident. People are convinced of Christ and lead to Him in the assurance that He is the divine Son of God, sent to save sinners, operating against the interest of Satan's kingdom, causing people to forsake sin and to set their affections on the things that are above, leading them to a greater regard for the Holy Scriptures as the Word of God, awakening the ability to discern spiritually between truth and error, light and darkness, and manifesting a spirit of love, both to God and to others.
How much fruit and eternal content will come out of the Asbury Awakening only time and eternity will tell. But Jesus is being glorified, uplifted and worshipped. To God be the glory, great things has He done, is doing and will continue to do.
