This week, the Torrey Memorial Bible Conference was an opportunity to slow down and let God speak to us through main sessions, breakout speakers and experiential sites. Conferences and large Christian gatherings, like Torrey, can spark conversations about spiritual renewal and revival. Past Biola conferences have seen impromptu baptisms in the Talbot East pool and worship extending well into the night. With Charlie Kirk’s memorial service being deemed by some as a “revival,”social media has seen an increase in revival related content. While “revival” could be considered a Christian buzzword, the question still stands: what is revival and is it still culturally relevant at Biola and beyond?
A HISTORICAL PRESENCE
The term “revival” is derived from the Latin words “vivo” and “re,” meaning “to live again.” Professor of New Testament Dr. Kenneth Berding offers three criteria for determining if works of the Spirit are a revival.
“One, the hearts of many of God’s people are awakened to greater love and commitment to Christ,” said Berding, “Two, many who consider themselves Christians (but are not) get converted. And three, many people who have never known Christ are drawn to faith in Christ through what God is doing in His people.”
These stipulations align with the Lord’s work in Acts 2 during Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit descended on believers, empowering them to speak in diverse tongues and share the Gospel with a variety of cultures. The Holy Spirit’s movement in the Upper Room met the above criteria by revitalizing believers and inspiring new ones.
Revivals, by this definition, have occurred in the United States since The First Great Awakening in 1789. This international revival saw 30,000 people join the Church between 1740-1742. Fast forward to the Student Volunteer Movement of the 19th century, the Holy Spirit’s work on college campuses inspired over 20,000 young adults to become missionaries and proclaim their faith abroad. From early awakenings to the Jesus People Movement, revivals showcase God’s power and ability to restore communities to Him. The Lord works in similar ways today, as seen through the Asbury University Outpouring in 2023.
At Torrey Conference, students have the opportunity to seek spiritual renewal in intimate and large-scale environments. While spiritual renewal does not always bring revival, theologians exchanging ideas, extended worship areas and more promote fellowship and a hunger for God. The Lord can use this unique time post Torrey Conference to bring about continued renewal and, if He chooses, revival at Biola. God has brought revival before, so no doubt He can do it again.
LOOKING TO THE FUTURE OF REVIVAL
Looking at how revival has influenced our society in the past, Christians need to consider the future of revival. As Biola students, we need to ask ourselves: Is revival relevant to us? Are we called to contribute to revival? If so, how can we cultivate revival here on campus? While recognizing that the future of revival is in the hands of God, let us not turn a blind eye to the role that He has given us in His plan for revival.
RESPONSIBILITIES WITHIN THE BODY OF CHRIST
As individuals who are already a part of the Body of Christ, we have a responsibility in revival. American Christian commentator, Allie Beth Stuckey, speaks life into this topic on the Sean McDowell Show. Stuckey articulates how, as Christians, we have a responsibility to be nurturing the Body of Christ and lay down good soil for new individuals who are coming into the fold of Christianity. Jesus elucidates this responsibility in Matthew 5:16. During Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, he commands us to live in a way that would reflect and resound God’s glory: “Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven” (ESV).
Christians should consider whether revival is occurring in America, for if we cling to ignorance, we impede our fulfillment of what Jesus commissioned us to do in Matthew 28:19-20: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you” (ESV). Revival is never passive; it is either diminishing or it is flourishing. If we are obstinate to the spiritual shifts in our nation, we may prompt the diminishment of revival and defy the Great Commission by depriving the body of Christ of new believers.
SEEDING REVIVAL WITH TORREY CONFERENCE
Coming off of Torrey Conference, the students of Biola ought to remain attentive to spiritual change in our nation and look to how they can spark revival even in a small environment. Students should approach what God has done through conference with the sentiment that revival starts small. Revival is not just a public movement; it is the transformation of individual people’s hearts. Just because our nation has not seen an increase in church attendance does not mean the Lord is not renewing the hearts and minds of individuals. He is constantly reforming and refining individuals, planting seeds of revival. Tim Keller, referencing William B. Sprague, draws on how we as believers can bear “infectious marks of spiritual revival.” It is when we cultivate these marks and surrender ourselves to the will of God that we can spark the renewal of hearts and minds within individuals.
“The personal revivals going on in…individuals spread informally to others through conversation and relationship. [Then] more and more people begin to look at themselves and seek God,” said Keller.
Torrey Conference—with its array of speakers and worship spaces—provided opportunities for students to be edified and commune with the Holy Spirit. While profound and true revival can come from this, so can false revival. With the overwhelming emotional experiences that are inevitably going to ensue at conference, students are susceptible to spiritual deception—interpreting the culmination of a large-scale communal worship as revival, when in actuality, it is simply spiritual ecstasy. How can we biblically engage with the Lord’s work and revival, without inserting our own views? We encourage students to continue reflecting on their conference experiences and assess what the Spirit is pressing on their hearts.
As many of us leave Torrey Conference refreshed, let us continue to seek God. As Christians, we have a responsibility to follow where the Spirit leads and compare possible revivals with the Bible. All revivals should point to God and His power. If public figures, at Biola Conferences or otherwise, make claims that seem contrary to the Bible, look to Scripture for guidance. Ask God to help you reflect on the truth and where He is moving. With the tools we gained from sessions, breakouts and experiential sites, let us orient ourselves towards Christ and pray our culture seeks Him in love. We implore you to keep intentionally connecting with your communities to foster empathy and fellowship. This week was just the beginning of what God can do on campus. When one or more are gathered, Jesus is there. What good news this is as we continue to seek God and pray for revival in our campus and nation!
