The Great Awakening was a series of evangelical revival movements, especially in Britain and North America, marked by urgent preaching, conversions, and renewed concern for holy living. It is primarily a church-history term, not a distinct biblical doctrine.
A historical name for broad evangelical revival movements that emphasized repentance, conversion, and renewed Christian living.
The Great Awakening is a historical label for broad seasons of evangelical revival, especially in Britain and North America, in which preaching on sin, grace, repentance, and new birth was used by God to stir many people toward conversion and renewed seriousness about Christian faith and conduct. The term is often applied to more than one revival era, so its exact scope can vary by author. While many evangelicals regard these awakenings as important works of God, assessments differ regarding specific preachers, practices, emotional manifestations, and long-term effects. Because the Bible teaches repentance, faith, and spiritual renewal, but does not present "the Great Awakening" as a doctrinal category, this term belongs chiefly in church history.
Scripture does not name the Great Awakening as a distinct event, but it does provide the biblical themes that revival preaching often emphasized: repentance, faith, the new birth, and spiritual renewal. Commonly relevant passages include John 3; Acts 2; Acts 17; 1 Thessalonians 1; and Titus 3:5.
The term is most often used for revival movements in the eighteenth century and related evangelical renewals in later periods. It is associated with preaching that stressed personal conversion, moral reform, and the spread of gospel evangelism. The term can be used broadly, so readers should note that different historians may define its scope somewhat differently.
Not directly applicable. The Great Awakening is a modern church-history term, not an ancient Jewish or biblical-era institution.
The phrase "Great Awakening" is an English historical label, not a biblical term derived from a Hebrew or Greek expression.
The term has theological significance only in a secondary sense: it points to recurring patterns of repentance, conversion, and renewed obedience that are affirmed in Scripture. It should not be treated as a doctrine, movement, or experience that carries its own authority apart from the Bible.
As a historical designation, the term groups together related religious events by observable features such as preaching, conversion, and social change. It describes a pattern in history rather than a metaphysical claim or a separate theological category.
Do not confuse historical revival movements with proof of doctrinal correctness in every detail, leader, or method. Emotional intensity, public response, and large numbers of conversions must be evaluated by Scripture. The term also varies in scope, so writers may mean different revival periods when they use it.
Evangelicals generally affirm that God can use revival to awaken sinners and renew churches, while disagreeing over particular leaders, methods, and reported manifestations. Some emphasize careful doctrinal discernment; others stress the evangelistic fruit and spiritual vitality of the movements.
This entry should not be used to teach that the Great Awakening is a biblical office, sacrament, sign gift, or separate redemptive-historical era. It is a historical label for revival movements and must remain subordinate to Scripture.
The Great Awakening reminds readers that God can powerfully renew churches through the preaching of the gospel, call people to repentance, and revive spiritual seriousness. It also warns believers to test every movement by Scripture rather than by excitement alone.
