Hansen and Woodbridge's book, "A God-Sized Vision," is a recollection of revivals from the eighteenth until the twentieth century. From the collection of seven accounts I have gathered four insights. The first is that, "revival doesn't sweep up everyone, and those standing on the sidelines can become the most outspoken critics." This revelation struck me odd at first but slowly I realized it is the truth. Too often have many of the critics of the renewal of the Spirit been housed within the church. In fact, the first to oppose are those of the church. Jesus set the standards for us and we, as his disciples, follow his steps. The Pharisees and Sadducees were constantly watching Jesus and commenting upon all the miracles he created. They were never happy that the sick were healed or the lost saved. There was a refreshing scent in Jesus's words and still the Pharisees and Saduccees continued to pester Jesus with their denials and outcries. The same rings true today. .
There are believers who are content with the status quo of their spiritual lives. They like the routine the devil has placed them into and perceive change as a threat. It is unto these believers that Jesus said, "Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of the bones of the dead and everything unclean." Hansen and Woodbridge wrote that the voice of the critics must be cast aside in order for God's work to continue. .
A second insight was the surprising of new birth, the equal preaching of the gospel among the races. The past several years have been marked by high-ranking criminal cases involving the use of excessive legal force against certain races. Immigration is still a hot topic, whether an individual should be allowed to live in a land created by God for his people. When I came across this section I was surprised.
