The People Speak Up

Several years ago, Robert Fogel, a Nobel Prize winning Economist wrote about the times we live in today. He said that the data from his research about the economy, social changes and spiritual changes led him to conclude that we are currently experiencing The Fourth Great Awakening. His conclusion is big news. Very big news!

Here is a Review

In his book, The Fourth Great Awakening and the Future of Egalitarianism, published in 2000, historian and economist Robert William Fogel, who received the Nobel Prize in Economics in 1993, surveys what he discerns as cyclical interactions, throughout the course of American history, among "fervent" or "enthusiastic" religion; politics; legislative policies; advances in technology; and public interest. In the process, he presents a synthesis of American history in the domains of technological advances, consequences of those advances on social, economic, religious and political life, and on the course of egalitarianism in America.

Fogel argues that at least three periods of surges in religious fervor and organization (he refers to them as ’awakenings’) have occurred in American history, each greatly influencing the political process and leading to major changes in legislation and governmental policies satisfying the religious fervor for particular egalitarian goals. He describes each as subsequently leading to backlash reactions that resulted in new political and legislative changes. He argues that a fourth great awakening began in the 1960s and 1970s and continues into the present (early 21st century), emphasizing a need to complete the goals of the Third Great Awakening and equitably distribute "spiritual" or "immaterial" ("non-material") resources only tangentially related to religion.

Of Fogel’s book, senior contributing editor of The Christian Century, James Wall, wrote:[6] Drawing on William G. McLoughlin's original work, Revivals, Awakenings and Reform: An Essay on Religion and Social Change in America, 1607-1977 —part of a series on American religious history edited by Martin E. Marty—Fogel examines each of four religions awakenings: the better-known first (in the 1730s and 1740s) and second (from the 1790s to the 1830s), a lesser-known third (beginning in the 1890s) and a fourth (which McLoughlin dates from the early 1960s and which he projected as ending in 1990). Fogel identifies egalitarianism as the common theme and goal of all the awakenings. The first three led to material equality, first of condition and then of opportunity. The fourth marked a shift in focus to equality in matters of the mind and spirit.

One of the most interesting facts is the high number of people who I call, "Seasoned Believers" many of whom are well read in the Bible because of years of church attendance and involvement in small groups. There are some 900,000 men and women in Greater Cincinnati who are age 50 and above. I estimate that 1/2 of these are Believers who have an excess of time, money and spiritual experience.

My Experience

As I was renewed powerfully in the Holy Spirit during those times and have been closely involved in the movements in the USA, Europe, Africa and Asia I agree heartedly with Dr. Fogel. The Revival and Social Revolution that have risen out of the Revival are still going on. We can see the dramatic changes in the growth of numerous new kinds of churches and music as well as a flood of books and magazines.

One of the most exciting and radical changes is a strong desire top live out the reality of The Priesthood of all Believers. We see this in the internet with Face Book, The Tea Party, The Occupy Movement and the massive desire of "Lay People" involvement in small groups, volunteering and overseas mission trips.

But there is a problem. Very few churches actually train and disciple all those interested people. Lots of them want to find a place of significance to serve God and each other but the church leaders refuse to enroll them into training programs.

There is a similar problem with young Christians. They are spiritually charged and looking for older men and women to mentor them and help them find a place to serve. I met many of them in Chicago but almost no Christian ministries were there to develop relationships with them.

We need a new paradigm. We need leaders who take seriously the words of Jesus about going into the world and make disciples . Is that now changed to "Go into the world and make big groups"? This latter approach will never impact the world for Christ.

Even Robert Fogel, a lapsed Jewish Economist, sees the promise and the spiritual potential. Where are the Christian leaders?