Thoughts on the Asbury University Revival

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On February 8, 2023, after a regularly scheduled chapel service, students from Asbury University chose to stay in the building and continue in prayer and worship. Over the next week and a half, more students, some faculty, and people from around the nation began to join this event. Asbury University, located in Kentucky, is a non-denominational school. However, there are those, who have read their philosophies and theology, that claim that they align with Wesleyan and Methodist doctrines. No matter with which denomination they align themselves, multiple denominations have gone to Asbury to take part in this revival. Now, having referred to it as a revival, let us take into consideration what revival actually means. Obviously, the word “revival” is rooted in the word “revive”. These words are synonymous with words like “revitalize”, “rebirth”, “resuscitate”, and “rejuvenate”. So basically, a revival is the bringing back to life that which is on the verge of death, the renewing of that which has become old or stale, and/or to give significance to that which has lost its purpose. In reference to Christianity, a revival is when God’s people, in mass, once again, seek Him and give Him His rightful place in their lives. It must include all of these aspects: confession, repentance, worship, thankfulness, surrender, obedience, and witnessing. So, the only real way to tell if a spiritual event is a true revival is to give it time. Time will tell. However, if most of those characteristics are evident, chances are revival is brewing. With this Asbury movement, I have read comments, both, praising and condemning the event. On the side of revival, supporters cite non-stop prayer and worship. They claim to have heard participants in moments of repentance. They relay the stories of renewed peace and joy claimed by participants. From the perspective of those viewing this as a spiritual awakening, they see a fire spreading to other Christian Universities (Samford University of Alabama, Lee University of Tennessee, and Cedearville University of Ohio). They see members of American churches flocking to the venues of these events wanting to take part in the prayer and praise meetings. On the side of emotional dramatics, skeptics cite the fact that Asbury is a liberal leaning college. There are those who claim this movement embraces a faux repentance because they accept sinful lifestyles of homosexuality and wokeism. There has even been the idea that people were so lonely after the covid shut downs that they are searching for any form of connection and interaction. Being together, in emotional worship services, helps them bond with one another. They argue this movement is more about the participants than the Savior. Other than needing more time, there are a couple of other reasons one should be careful about forming a definite opinion one way or the other. First of all, only God knows the heart of each individual. Just as with any other revival, just as with any weekly church service, there are fakes and there are the genuine. Either way, God is still on His throne. He will expose the hypocrites and posers and He will be found by those who seek Him. Secondly, if one gets fixated on whether or not another’s or a group’s spiritual condition is genuine, they may miss out on what God wants to do in their personal lives. If we want to ensure genuine revival, we should: start with our personal lives- repentance, confession, surrender, worship take what God is doing in our personal lives and share it with our families and churches and communities refuse to compromise no matter who is contradicted- family, friends, religious leaders, government, employers seek God daily and passionately depend on the Holy Spirit for wisdom and guidance above any resource or person (even preachers and church leaders) If the Asbury University movement is not a true revival, then let’s pray God exposes it. But let’s also pray that those who were involved will run into God and experience the conviction and love of the Holy Spirit and that they will get saved. If it is a true revival, then let’s praise the Lord. Let us also live lives that will precipitate revival at home instead of chasing down the awakening somewhere else.