Tim Keller Definition of Revival

I recently went with a friend to an Anglican church planting conference in Plano to hear Tim Keller speak. Not knowing exactly what his topic was going to be I was surprised by his topic being revival.

His message was "Marks of Revival and Spiritual Renewal"

He opened with a testimony of how he came out of the Jesus Movement of the 1970s and referenced the Asbury Revival of 1970. From there he gave a definition of revival and how he experienced revival in planting Redeemer from the start. Here's his definition. I will give his points in future posts.

What is revival? "Revival is an intensification of the ordinary operations of the work of the Holy Spirit."

In other words--all that the Spirit does in converting, convicting, reminding, assuring is intensified--and this intensifying of the Spirits work can happen over a long duration of time, a short time, a season of time--and even be given to a specific geographical location.

Keller experienced this intensifying work of the Spirit in the first 18 months of the church being planted in NY. For 18 months to 2 years they experienced an unusual number of people come to faith--around 200 people.

They have seen many come to faith since then as well--but not with the same degree of intensity. He likened this moment of revival to Spurgeon's ministry which in total saw many hundreds come to faith in Christ--but uniquely and intensely from the years 1857-60.