Mobile Ed: CH335 George Whitefield: Life, Ministry, and Legacy
Digital Logos Edition
Overview
Anyone interested in the roots of Evangelicalism must look to The Great Awakening of the 1730s and 1740s and, specifically, the figure of George Whitefield. In this course you will learn about the tremendous influence of Whitefield who is estimated to have preached about 18,000 sermons in his thirty-five-year career. The course begins by exploring his upbringing, looking at the social context he was born and raised in. It follows his experience at Oxford and his conversion before looking at his prolific preaching and publishing career. In additional to biographical information, you will learn about his beliefs, his theological disagreements with John Wesley, and see how Whitefield has influenced the way Christians preach the gospel today.
Upon successful completion you should be able to:
- Describe Whitefield’s early environment being born and raised in an inn and tavern and his early character which he self-described as “brutish.”
- Describe Whitefield’s providential entrance to Oxford University and his association with Charles and John Wesley and the notorious “Holy Club.”
- Describe the understanding of conversion as taught by the Church of England in the 18th century and compare it to Whitefield’s understanding of conversion.
- Explain Whitefield’s life-long passion to establish an orphanage in the Georgia colony, and the continual difficulties in funding the endeavor.
- Give a general description of Whitefield’s preaching schedule and how it affected his health.
- Describe Whitefield’s unusual courtship and marriage.
- Identify noteworthy elements of Whitfield’s ministry including open-air preaching, emotional (almost theatrical) preaching, and the use of publication and advertising for self-promotion.
- Acknowledge Whitefield’s position on slavery and his ownership of slaves to work the farm at the orphanage to support it.
Introduction
- Introducing the Speaker and Course
Unit 1 From His Beginning to the Outbreak of Awakening (1714–1737)
- Beginnings: Birth, Family, and Social/Religious Context
- Youth: School, Reading, Plays, and Play-Preaching
- Entering Oxford, Holy Club (1732)
- Whitefield’s Conversion (1735)
- Ordination, First Sermon, and a Move to Georgia (1736)
- Awakening in England (1737)
Unit 2 From the First Trip to America to Mature Ministry (1738–1743)
- First Trip to America: Georgia (1738)
- Ordained, Field Preaching, Preaching to the Masses (1739)
- Opposition: John Wesley and the Free Grace Controversy (1739-41)
- Second Trip to America: Orphan-House in Georgia and New England Preaching Tour (1740)
- Calvinistic Methodists (1743)
Unit 3 Maintaining Ministry and Health to the End (1743–1770)
- Whitefield as Husband (1741–1768) and Father (1743)
- Ongoing Preaching and Funding (1746–1770)
- Growing Peace with Wesley (1753–1770)
- Final trip to America, Poor Health, Preaching, and Death (1769–1770)
Unit 4 Whitefield's Legacy
- Preaching and Promotion: Loud, Emotional, and Frequent
- Theology: New Birth and Calvinistic Evangelism
- Slavery Is Legal but Slaves Must Be Treated with Kindness
Conclusion
- Conclusion to the Course
- Title: CH335 George Whitefield: Life, Ministry, and Legacy
- Instructor: Sean McGever
- Publisher: Lexham Press
- Publication Date: 2022
- Product Type: Logos Mobile Education
- Resource Type: Courseware, including transcripts, audio, and video resources
- Courses: 1
- Video Hours: 2
Partially includedSean McGever (PhD, University of Aberdeen) is area director for Paradise Valley Arizona Young Life and adjunct faculty at Grand Canyon University. He trains Young Life staff and volunteers internationally.