Christian Movie Review: "A Great Awakening"

Last night I had the pleasure of viewing the new Sight & Sound film "A Great Awakening." Knowing that everything Sight & Sought produces is both high quality and Gospel-centered, I had nothing but good expectations for this movie. I was not disappointed in the least.

"A Great Awakening" tells the true story of the life of 18th century evangelist George Whitefield, from his aversion as a child to the thought of becoming a wig-wearing preacher, to his foray into theater, to using his acquired oration skills to boldly call mankind to faith and repentance.

Whitefield struggles for a time with trying to earn God's favor, starving himself and repeating Scripture until he nearly loses his life. It is one of the fellow members of "The Holy Club" at the University at Oxford that finds him in the nick of time and proclaims to him the grace of God for salvation.

In one of my favorite scenes from the film, Whitefield approaches the pulpit, which heretofore had been led by stale, stagnant, lifeless clergy. He pounds the Bible, which gives way to a cloud of dust -- revealing that the clergy had not opened the Scriptures in some time to minister to the people. Whitefield blasts those in authority, while declaring the way to salvation, at which time the church doors burst open with the penitent seeking to come to Christ.

This offends the stodgy clergy, who expel Whitefield and ban him from preaching in their houses of worship. Therefore, Whitefield builds his own pulpit and takes to preaching to the common people in the streets. While preaching at a coal mine, Whitefield is struck with stones, but he continues undeterred -- while bloodied -- to plow the hearts of men until they soften to the call of the cross.

Being rejected by his country, Whitefield sails to America, where he is met with great anticipation by thousands. While preaching in Philadelphia, Whitefield forms a relationship with printer Benjamin Franklin. At first, the popular historical figure views Whitefield as more of a business opportunity and has no interest in following Christ. Whitefield repeatedly pleads with a stubborn Franklin to submit to "the Source" of life and not lean on his own attempts at morality.

I appreciated how Sight & Sound remained true to both spiritual and American history and highlighted how Whitefield was a catalyst for the Great Awakening in the American colonies. His passion and authenticity not only impacted Benjamin Franklin, but in turn, still makes its mark on our nation today, as "[o]ne tiny candle illuminates a thousand."

The bottom line: It is impossible to watch this movie and not be stirred. It is a call to awakening and revival once again, starting in each heart and then radiating out to a world very much in need of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.