# The Great Awakening refers to a time in which a change in religious attitude occurred. Before the Great Awakening, colonists had lost a sense of faith in the Puritan religion. Many stopped attending church and religious conflicts started to arise, as many Puritans started to disagree with and challenge strict Calvinist views. Instead of the long accepted Calvinist view that most men and women were pre-determinably unsaved, Puritans started taking an Armenian view on life, believing in freedom of will, faith, and good works. .
However, the Great Awakening changed a lot of this new thinking, and helped restore the Puritan faith. Powerful sermons were carried out by various Puritan pastors, who delivered their messages to large audiences. What made their sermons so powerful is the way they delivered it. Puritan pastors such as Reverend Johnathan Edwards and George Whitefield used lots of emotion and inspiration, which made people feel ashamed of their behavior, but also repentful, and hopeful of a new change. They also used simple language so that the common person could understand. Their messages appealed to all kinds of people. Never had people experienced preaching in such an emotional manner that inspired them. George Whitefield traveled throughout Pennsylvania to attract more followers in a series of revivals.
The greatest impact that the Great Awakening had was church attendance. Before, church congregations consisted of adults, but after the Great Awakening, younger people started attending the Puritan church in mass numbers.
