Great Awakening

89. Navigating Revivals in Christianity with Cody Cook

About this Episode

Why is it that religious revivals often spark controversy within the very community they aim to uplift? And how can we bridge the chasm between differing interpretations of faith within Christianity? Join host Craig Harguess, as he sits down with theology major and Christian anarchist, Cody Cook, for a thought-provoking conversation on the Asbury revival and the stir it caused among fellow Christians. We delve into the fervor of the event, its resistance among some Christians, and its relation to the Great Awaking and other revivals, examining why Cody and I found ourselves more than okay with this revival.

In our discussion, we draw parallels between the Asbury revival and the Great Awakening from the 1740s. We ponder on the nature of revival and what it could mean when God moves amongst a group of people. As we sift through the criticisms and controversies surrounding these revivals, we grapple with the reactions of different Christian sects, questioning the rigid definitions of revival. We unlock insights into why the Asbury revival resonated with so many, and the potential implications it holds for us today.

Finally, Cody and Craig put the spotlight on the importance of inclusivity and respect within the Christian community. We challenge our understanding of Christian faith and the ways to reconcile our differences. We reflect on how we can extend an open invitation to newcomers to the faith without stymieing their spiritual journey. This episode of the Bad Roman Podcast invites you to contemplate faith, revivals, and Christian controversies in a new light. Pour yourself a cup of coffee and join us as we navigate these intriguing topics with Cody Cook.

Cody Cook:

Website

Podcast

Episode Timestamps:

1:06 Who is Cody Cook?

  • Theology Major

  • podcaster

3:05 Asbury Methodist University

  • Why are Christians caught up in it?

  • Matthew 19:14

  • Preventing people from worshipping Jesus

  • Does everyone need to worship the same way?

  • Modern Pharisees

8:32 What’s a real revival?

  • Acts 2, Pentecost

  • Scheduled revivals

  • Multitude of definitions

  • The Great Awaking in US History

13:29 Cody’s Facebook Post on the Asbury Skepticism Among Christians

  • How skeptical should we be?

  • Being discerning vs being critical to be critical

  • Role of appealing to emotion

    • Jonathan Edwards

    • Charles Finney

  • Manufactured vs. real movements of God

  • The romanticized view of revivals

24:03 Great Awaking Compared to Asbury

  • Not seen as positive by conservative Christians at the time

    • Now seen as a nostalgic time

  • Both sarked by young people

  • George Whitfield

32:12 Jesus Revolution movie pushback at the same time

  • Who gets to determine who can worship Jesus

  • What posture should Christians take to those who are ‘other’?

  • Allow people to have a journey in their faith

  • Faith is not fixed 

41:34 Healthy Skeptisim

  • Christin celebrities

  • God moves among people

  • Revival is not a pure movement of God – it involves us

  • The diversity inherent in us must be present in God if we are made in his image

    • We can all learn from each other and know God better

53:03 Cody’s Plugs


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