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A Long Line of Godly Men Profile
Evangelistic Zeal of George Whitefield
George Whitefield was called the Grand Itinerant for his unprecedented preaching ministry, he crossed the Atlantic Ocean numerous times and lit fires of revival on two continents. Yet, as Dr.Lawson illustrates in this latest entry in the Long Line of Godly Men Profiles series, we must note that Whitefield was a man whose extraordinary evangelistic fervor was marked by remarkable piety and deep theology, and whose unswerving devotion to his God led him to risk all that he had to preach the name of Christ.
1 pages, Audio CD
First published February 15, 2014
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558 people want to read
About the author
Steven J. Lawson
78 books315 followersDr. Steven J. Lawson is the Senior Pastor of Christ Fellowship Baptist Church in Mobile, Alabama, having served as a pastor in Arkansas and Alabama for the past twenty-nine years. He is a graduate of Texas Tech University (B.B.A.), Dallas Theological Seminary (Th.M.), and Reformed Theological Seminary (D. Min.)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 75 reviews
May 2, 2020
It’s short but repetitive. The author repeats claims about the greatness, holiness, devotion, and tirelessness of Whitefield over and over. But I wanted more than claims about him. I wanted to know Whitefield. I didn’t want to know what other historians thought about him and his ministry. I wanted to know Whitefield, or at least where he had gone and what he had done, maybe even what he preached. There were snippets about him, but they are scattered and disjointed. There is no chronology to the vast majority of the events recounted.
Without a deeper understanding of just what his ministry was, the claims that he was ‘the greatest evangelist since Paul’ just left a bad taste in my mouth. Actually, I think that claim made about any Christian would have left a bad taste in my mouth. Do we really judge a Christian’s greatness by the number of sermons or distance traveled? I don’t wish to denigrate Whitefield or his ministry. God certainly did bless and empower him greatly to change countless lives and several countries, but this book reads more like a eulogy than a biography.
This book is also a defense of Calvinistic evangelistic zeal. As I am not a Calvinist, this book didn’t convince me.
Without a deeper understanding of just what his ministry was, the claims that he was ‘the greatest evangelist since Paul’ just left a bad taste in my mouth. Actually, I think that claim made about any Christian would have left a bad taste in my mouth. Do we really judge a Christian’s greatness by the number of sermons or distance traveled? I don’t wish to denigrate Whitefield or his ministry. God certainly did bless and empower him greatly to change countless lives and several countries, but this book reads more like a eulogy than a biography.
This book is also a defense of Calvinistic evangelistic zeal. As I am not a Calvinist, this book didn’t convince me.
November 8, 2019
I wanted to like this little book but there is barely any history in it and is mainly a calvinistic pep rally. The picture of Whitefield is one demensional with not one critical statement or identified flaw in the evangelist. It is a book written to inspire but does not represent any serious scholarship or history which makes me question the little bit of history that is there. If you are a Calvanist looking for reassurance that indeed Calvinists can be evangelist despite the Arminian argument otherwise, then this will be a good read. If not, pass it by.
May 3, 2019
I am totally in awe of George Whitefield after reading this book, he was an amazing man filled with the power of God. The way the biography was set up was interesting, going completely through his life and then backtracking and going over different aspects. Worth a read through if you are inclined to this sort of thing!
August 3, 2021
Encouraging lessons from the life and sermons of George Whitefield. I felt like the book bordered on hagiography, or that Lawson came up with a list of traits for the ideal gospel preacher and then found proof of them in Whitefield.
September 8, 2020
Wow, what an amazing story about a dear saint! Amazing life, amazing preacher!
March 25, 2021
This is a fantastic short survey of George Whitefield’s life and ministry. It hits all the high points and major themes of Whitefield, inspiring you to want to learn more about him and to emulate his zeal for the Lord. I will echo Lawson’s (and John Wesley’s) cry: “We want again Whitefields!”
June 13, 2023
Mind-numbing and repetitive.
August 5, 2021
An excellent review of the history and ministry of George Whitefield. I learned much and was greatly inspired by the man.
August 9, 2020
A phenomenal little book. And it really is little. A remarkably quick read, but for all that, totally worthwhile. I remember first buying this back in...2014 I think? At the Ligonier conference I went to with Dad, we sat in one of the sessions where Dr. Lawson actually preached a sermon on Whitefield (based off this book), and my heart was so filled with fire that I couldn't help but purchase this book later on during the conference. I haven't read this book in probably about five years, but reading it now was just as stimulating to my soul. This book is really just a primer on Whitefield. It's not a comprehensive biography or anything, but it's meant to whet your appetite to know more about Whitefield...but really, this book is intended to fill one's heart with a passion for the gospel of God and seeing it preached throughout the earth. And in that, it succeeded mightily, at least with me. I definitely now want to proceed (maybe in a few weeks) to read Dallimore's Whitefield (one of my all-time fav bios), but beyond that...my heart is just full of grief and sadness that we don't have preaching like Whitefield's currently filling the earth. Whitefield was one who cared naught what men thought, but simply cared to call all people to Christ - indeed, all "must be born again!" Would that I had that fire in my life, to preach Christ and Him crucified to every single person I come into contact with. Reading this book, you come away with an awe-struck impression that surely God was with Whitefield, surely God's Spirit was poured out mightily upon this humble, feeble soul. Oh that I may be used by God such, even to a small fraction of a percentage of Whitefield's ministry, love, and passion. This book thrilled my soul and humbled my heart. God is at work to this very day. Oh how I love to read chronicles of the works of the Lord in this earth. And yes, even to this day, Christ too is working. Amen and Amen, soli deo gloria.
January 23, 2022
If anyone is looking for the best biography of George Whitefield I would always refer them to Arnold Dallimore's 2-volume masterpiece. This book by Steven Lawson makes an excellent accompanying piece, however. It spends most of its time considering George Whitefield's message and motivations for evangelism, and I would insist on it being a must-read for anyone with an interest in evangelism as it is capable of stoking up those needful flames of passion for serving Christ in the proclamation of His gospel.
October 13, 2017
Many years ago I heard John MacArthur say that when he’s on vacation he often read an encouraging Christian biography. I started reading this biography on the famous George Whitefield while on a short family vacation and I’m glad I read it since it was encouraging and spiritually edifying. This book is part of “A Long Line of Godly Men Profile” series published by Reformation Trust Publishing and like the other two works in this series that I read this particular volume did not disappoint.
I know very little of Whitefield prior to reading this book, other than the fact that he was a famous evangelist and preacher. This book left me amazed at what God has done through his life and also his faithfulness in serving the Lord. It also was hugely spiritually encouraging as well.
For preachers after the Apostolic period Whitefild was unmatched in his evangelistic zeal. The following statistics in the book puts it in perspective. Whitefield in thirty four years of ministry preached an incredible amount of eighteen thousand sermons in which three or four sermons a day was common. Whitefield’s preaching took place not only in England but also colonial America. He was used by the Lord to bring about revivals in two continents! Eighty percent of Colonial Americans during his time has heard him preached which is more than the amount of Americans who have heard and seen Washington. We must also remember that this was a time before steamboats and airplanes; Whitefield spent three years of his life on ships for the sake of traveling to preach the Gospel outside of England and would have made seven trips to Colonial America seven times and elsewhere such as Scotland and Ireland fifteen times. During the span of his ministry over ten million people heard Whitefield preached. The summer when Whitefield first preached he preached to over a million soul and he did so at the age of twenty four. Clearly we have a lot to thank God for God using Whitefield.
The book is divided into six chapters. Chapter one gives us a biographical sketch of Whitefield’s life and times. I really appreciated the fact that the author Steve Lawson is a preacher himself who is able to put Whitefield’s ministry in the context of the time and also as a minister and preacher. Chapter two is on the focused devotion Whitefield had in his spiritual life. Here we see an examination of Whitefield’s immersion with Scripture, prayer, humility and striving for holiness while being focused on Christ. Chapter three is on Whitefield’s theology of Sovereign Grace where Lawson not only presented Whitefield’s theology in embracing the five points of Calvinism but also how it did not undermine Whitefield’s evangelism but fueled it. I appreciated that thrust of this chapter since people often complain today that Calvinism hinder evangelism. Chapter four is on Whitefield’s Gospel ministry in which the subsection of the chapter looked at Whitefields’ continually exposing sin, exalting the cross, requiring regeneration, summoning the will and pointing to eternity. Chapter five is titled “A Passion that Consumed.” What was memorable for me with chapter five is the love of God and the love of the lost that drove Whitefield’s preaching. In this chapter I also learned that Whitefield was one of the early preachers to slaves in the American colonies and he did during a time when it very sensitive to do so, following the wake of several slave rebellion. What an encouragement it is to see Whitefield’s example of taking the Gospel to all and doing so in a way that went against the grain of society. Chapter six is on the Spirit’s work in Whitefield’s ministry and life.
In summary this is a recommended spiritual biography.
I know very little of Whitefield prior to reading this book, other than the fact that he was a famous evangelist and preacher. This book left me amazed at what God has done through his life and also his faithfulness in serving the Lord. It also was hugely spiritually encouraging as well.
For preachers after the Apostolic period Whitefild was unmatched in his evangelistic zeal. The following statistics in the book puts it in perspective. Whitefield in thirty four years of ministry preached an incredible amount of eighteen thousand sermons in which three or four sermons a day was common. Whitefield’s preaching took place not only in England but also colonial America. He was used by the Lord to bring about revivals in two continents! Eighty percent of Colonial Americans during his time has heard him preached which is more than the amount of Americans who have heard and seen Washington. We must also remember that this was a time before steamboats and airplanes; Whitefield spent three years of his life on ships for the sake of traveling to preach the Gospel outside of England and would have made seven trips to Colonial America seven times and elsewhere such as Scotland and Ireland fifteen times. During the span of his ministry over ten million people heard Whitefield preached. The summer when Whitefield first preached he preached to over a million soul and he did so at the age of twenty four. Clearly we have a lot to thank God for God using Whitefield.
The book is divided into six chapters. Chapter one gives us a biographical sketch of Whitefield’s life and times. I really appreciated the fact that the author Steve Lawson is a preacher himself who is able to put Whitefield’s ministry in the context of the time and also as a minister and preacher. Chapter two is on the focused devotion Whitefield had in his spiritual life. Here we see an examination of Whitefield’s immersion with Scripture, prayer, humility and striving for holiness while being focused on Christ. Chapter three is on Whitefield’s theology of Sovereign Grace where Lawson not only presented Whitefield’s theology in embracing the five points of Calvinism but also how it did not undermine Whitefield’s evangelism but fueled it. I appreciated that thrust of this chapter since people often complain today that Calvinism hinder evangelism. Chapter four is on Whitefield’s Gospel ministry in which the subsection of the chapter looked at Whitefields’ continually exposing sin, exalting the cross, requiring regeneration, summoning the will and pointing to eternity. Chapter five is titled “A Passion that Consumed.” What was memorable for me with chapter five is the love of God and the love of the lost that drove Whitefield’s preaching. In this chapter I also learned that Whitefield was one of the early preachers to slaves in the American colonies and he did during a time when it very sensitive to do so, following the wake of several slave rebellion. What an encouragement it is to see Whitefield’s example of taking the Gospel to all and doing so in a way that went against the grain of society. Chapter six is on the Spirit’s work in Whitefield’s ministry and life.
In summary this is a recommended spiritual biography.
October 18, 2024
Ironic. Lawson has been an itinerant preacher as well. But he didnt preach in fields like Whitefield. The chapter on his personal devotions fueling his evagelistic zeal...made me think a bit.
March 6, 2025
It took me a while to get to the end even though it’s a short book. Unfortunately, it is not very well written, it feels like just random facts scattered around. The author exhausts the idea of Whitefield’s greatness to the point where is too much. As I’ve seen others highlight it is way too repetitive and this makes the read more difficult.
September 2, 2025
Nothing like a Dallimore biography, but this one focused more on Whitefield’s theology and passion for preaching. Because this was originally supposed to be part of Lawson’s next volume “Forces of Grace” that was ultimately abandoned for these individual books, there is a heavy emphasis on the Doctrines of Grace. This isn’t a bad thing necessarily, but it seems to be the major focus when there is so much more to Whitefield than just that.
February 26, 2020
Veldig bra, veldig inspirerende!
Spoiler alert: Noen kastet en død katt etter George da han forkynte 😂
Spoiler alert: Noen kastet en død katt etter George da han forkynte 😂
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 25, 2023
Great 30,000ft view of the life of George Whitefield, the man whom Steve Lawson begins by asserting that if he could be anyone in church history, it would be George Whitefield (that's saying a lot considering Lawson has written on the likes of Luther, Calvin, Edwards, and Spurgeon).
I ashamedly confess that prior to reading this book, I did not know much about the "prince of preachers," a man who would preach to 80% of the American colonists, making the name Whitefield more widely recognized in the 18th Century than any living person including George Washington. Martyn Lloyd-Jones described him as "beyond any question the greatest English preacher of all time."
These "Long Line of Godly Men Profiles" all follow the same pattern. They start by giving a high-speed look at the life and legacy of the subject, then show how Calvinism / Sovereign Grace was the theological foundation of the man's ministry, and then conclude by showing why we need more men like this in our modern church.
Ultimately if you're looking for a quick look at what others claimed about George Whitefield this is the perfect book. However, if you really want to get to know George Whitefield the person, this is not the book you're looking for.
Favorite Quotes:
"Observing the Godward passion, JC Ryle described Whitefield as 'a man of remarkable disinterestedness, and singleness of eye. He seemed to live only for two objects - the glory of God and the salvation of souls.'"
"Be much in secret prayer. Converse less with man, and more with God."
Whitefield's 15 Maxims for Each Day:
Have I,
1. Been fervent in private prayer?
2. Used stated hours of prayers?
3. Used prayer every hour?
4. After or before every deliberate conversation or action, considered how it might tend to God's glory?
5. After any pleasure, immediately given thanks?
6. Planned business for the day?
7. Been simple and recollected in everything?
8. Been zealous in undertaking and active in doing what good I could?
9. Been meek, cheerful, affable in everything I said or did?
10. Been proud, vain, unchaste, or enviable of others?
11. Recollected in eating and drinking? Thankful? Temperate in sleep?
12. Taken time for giving thanks according to [William] Law's rules?
13. Been diligent in studies?
14. Thought or spoken unkindly of anyone?
15. Confessed all sins?
"The doctrines of our election and free justification in Christ Jesus... fill my soul with a holy fire and afford me great confidence in God my Saviour. I hope we shall catch fire from each other and that there shall be a holy emulation amongst us who shall most debase man and exalt the Lord Jesus. Nothing but the Reformation can do this... I know that Christ is all in all. Man is nothing: he hath a free will to go to hell, but none to go to heaven, till God worketh in him to will and do of His good pleasure."
"He purposed not to be with anyone for more than fifteen minutes without confronting them with the claims of Christ." - Lawson
Lest you think the doctrine of election would create a stale evangelist, Whitefield writes: "This day I have invited all, even the worst of sinners, to be married to the Lord Jesus. If you perish, remember you do not perish for lack of invitation. You yourselves shall stand forth at the last day, and I here give you a summons to meet me at the judgment seat of Christ, and to clear both my Master and me. Would weeping, would tears, prevail on you, I could wish my head were waters, and my eyes fountains of tears, that I might weep out every argument and melt you into love. Would anything I could do, or suffer, influence your hearts, I think I could bear to pluck out my eyes, or even to lay down my life, for your sakes."
"His ministry presents an unparalleled example of declaring the sovereignty of God combined with the free offer of salvation to all who would believe on Christ." - Arnold Dallimore
Referencing his passion in the pulpit: "When asked for a copy of a sermon so it might be published, he said, ' I have no objection, if you will print the lightning, thunder and rainbow with it."
"Why fear ye that the Lord Jesus Christ will not accept you? ... Your sins will be no hindrance, your unworthiness no hindrance; if your own corrupt hearts do not keep you back nothing will hinder Christ from receiving of you. He loves to see poor sinners coming to Him, He is pleased to see them lie at His feet pleading His promises; and if you thus come to Christ, He will not send you away without His Spirit; no, but will receive and bless you."
I ashamedly confess that prior to reading this book, I did not know much about the "prince of preachers," a man who would preach to 80% of the American colonists, making the name Whitefield more widely recognized in the 18th Century than any living person including George Washington. Martyn Lloyd-Jones described him as "beyond any question the greatest English preacher of all time."
These "Long Line of Godly Men Profiles" all follow the same pattern. They start by giving a high-speed look at the life and legacy of the subject, then show how Calvinism / Sovereign Grace was the theological foundation of the man's ministry, and then conclude by showing why we need more men like this in our modern church.
Ultimately if you're looking for a quick look at what others claimed about George Whitefield this is the perfect book. However, if you really want to get to know George Whitefield the person, this is not the book you're looking for.
Favorite Quotes:
"Observing the Godward passion, JC Ryle described Whitefield as 'a man of remarkable disinterestedness, and singleness of eye. He seemed to live only for two objects - the glory of God and the salvation of souls.'"
"Be much in secret prayer. Converse less with man, and more with God."
Whitefield's 15 Maxims for Each Day:
Have I,
1. Been fervent in private prayer?
2. Used stated hours of prayers?
3. Used prayer every hour?
4. After or before every deliberate conversation or action, considered how it might tend to God's glory?
5. After any pleasure, immediately given thanks?
6. Planned business for the day?
7. Been simple and recollected in everything?
8. Been zealous in undertaking and active in doing what good I could?
9. Been meek, cheerful, affable in everything I said or did?
10. Been proud, vain, unchaste, or enviable of others?
11. Recollected in eating and drinking? Thankful? Temperate in sleep?
12. Taken time for giving thanks according to [William] Law's rules?
13. Been diligent in studies?
14. Thought or spoken unkindly of anyone?
15. Confessed all sins?
"The doctrines of our election and free justification in Christ Jesus... fill my soul with a holy fire and afford me great confidence in God my Saviour. I hope we shall catch fire from each other and that there shall be a holy emulation amongst us who shall most debase man and exalt the Lord Jesus. Nothing but the Reformation can do this... I know that Christ is all in all. Man is nothing: he hath a free will to go to hell, but none to go to heaven, till God worketh in him to will and do of His good pleasure."
"He purposed not to be with anyone for more than fifteen minutes without confronting them with the claims of Christ." - Lawson
Lest you think the doctrine of election would create a stale evangelist, Whitefield writes: "This day I have invited all, even the worst of sinners, to be married to the Lord Jesus. If you perish, remember you do not perish for lack of invitation. You yourselves shall stand forth at the last day, and I here give you a summons to meet me at the judgment seat of Christ, and to clear both my Master and me. Would weeping, would tears, prevail on you, I could wish my head were waters, and my eyes fountains of tears, that I might weep out every argument and melt you into love. Would anything I could do, or suffer, influence your hearts, I think I could bear to pluck out my eyes, or even to lay down my life, for your sakes."
"His ministry presents an unparalleled example of declaring the sovereignty of God combined with the free offer of salvation to all who would believe on Christ." - Arnold Dallimore
Referencing his passion in the pulpit: "When asked for a copy of a sermon so it might be published, he said, ' I have no objection, if you will print the lightning, thunder and rainbow with it."
"Why fear ye that the Lord Jesus Christ will not accept you? ... Your sins will be no hindrance, your unworthiness no hindrance; if your own corrupt hearts do not keep you back nothing will hinder Christ from receiving of you. He loves to see poor sinners coming to Him, He is pleased to see them lie at His feet pleading His promises; and if you thus come to Christ, He will not send you away without His Spirit; no, but will receive and bless you."
December 3, 2020
This is a great short biography for the life and theology of Whitefield. Lawson is a decent writer, and provides a pithy quick read with ease. Lawson does well providing a thunderous style that matches how he presents Whitefield’s preaching.
My main complaint is that Lawson is too repetitive in too many chapters reenforcing similar points. For a longer more detailed read this would serve as helpful to keep the reader reminded of key aspects, but however, in a book of such short length it feels lazy.
Overall, the book is good, and it provides a zealous appreciation for Whitefield himself.
My main complaint is that Lawson is too repetitive in too many chapters reenforcing similar points. For a longer more detailed read this would serve as helpful to keep the reader reminded of key aspects, but however, in a book of such short length it feels lazy.
Overall, the book is good, and it provides a zealous appreciation for Whitefield himself.
February 6, 2017
Really good.
October 16, 2018
Livro maravilhoso. Muito edificante ler sobre esse pregador, conhecer seu amor e devoção ao Senhor. Um homem que pregava aquilo que respirava, ou seja, o Evangelho de Jesus Cristo.
October 8, 2018
It is impossible to determine the impact that Reformation Trust’s, A Long Line of Godly Men Series will have. I have personally been enriched, challenged, and inspired by this excellent series that has surveyed the likes of Jonathan Edwards, John Calvin, Martin Luther, C.H. Spurgeon, and John Knox. The latest installment, The Evangelistic Zeal of George Whitefield by Steven Lawson packs a powerful punch and will leave readers hungry for more.
Several features make Dr. Lawson’s latest work noteworthy. First, the book is very interesting and readable. It is filled with historical facts that help readers contextualize the arena that Whitefield ministered in – on both sides of the Atlantic.
Second, the book raises critical awareness about the biblical relationship between the doctrine of election and the need to evangelize. Lawson is quick to point out that while Whitefield embraced the doctrines of grace, he was also eager to proclaim the gospel to every creature – a scathing indictment of hyper-Calvinism and a challenge to anyone who scoffs at the two-fold truths of election and evangelism.
Third, the book provides an inside look at a man who faced a myriad of trials and tribulations. Every preacher, indeed, every Christ-f0llower experiences trials. But I have yet to meet a pastor who was met by an angry mob who hurled dead cats and rotten fruit onto the platform. Whitefield endured this and more. Yet he endured each tribulation and he passed the test.
Fourth, the book acquaints readers with the evangelistic zeal of George Whitefield. Here is a man who took the Great Commission seriously! His ministry led to countless conversions – all a result of faithful proclamation.
Whitefield was a man who refused to compromise the truth. He delivered the truth with power and passion. And a multitude of lives of changed as a result of his preaching ministry. Lawson cites Arnold Dallimore who writes about the God-centered stature of George Whitefield: “And what manner of men will they be? Men mighty in the Scriptures, their lives dominated by a sense of the greatness, the majesty and holiness of God, and their minds and hearts aglow with the great truths of the doctrines of grace.” Oh, that men in this age would model the Whitefield approach. May their hearts be consumed with nothing but the greatness of God. And may people from every tribe and nation be drawn to the sovereign Savior.
Highly recommended!
Several features make Dr. Lawson’s latest work noteworthy. First, the book is very interesting and readable. It is filled with historical facts that help readers contextualize the arena that Whitefield ministered in – on both sides of the Atlantic.
Second, the book raises critical awareness about the biblical relationship between the doctrine of election and the need to evangelize. Lawson is quick to point out that while Whitefield embraced the doctrines of grace, he was also eager to proclaim the gospel to every creature – a scathing indictment of hyper-Calvinism and a challenge to anyone who scoffs at the two-fold truths of election and evangelism.
Third, the book provides an inside look at a man who faced a myriad of trials and tribulations. Every preacher, indeed, every Christ-f0llower experiences trials. But I have yet to meet a pastor who was met by an angry mob who hurled dead cats and rotten fruit onto the platform. Whitefield endured this and more. Yet he endured each tribulation and he passed the test.
Fourth, the book acquaints readers with the evangelistic zeal of George Whitefield. Here is a man who took the Great Commission seriously! His ministry led to countless conversions – all a result of faithful proclamation.
Whitefield was a man who refused to compromise the truth. He delivered the truth with power and passion. And a multitude of lives of changed as a result of his preaching ministry. Lawson cites Arnold Dallimore who writes about the God-centered stature of George Whitefield: “And what manner of men will they be? Men mighty in the Scriptures, their lives dominated by a sense of the greatness, the majesty and holiness of God, and their minds and hearts aglow with the great truths of the doctrines of grace.” Oh, that men in this age would model the Whitefield approach. May their hearts be consumed with nothing but the greatness of God. And may people from every tribe and nation be drawn to the sovereign Savior.
Highly recommended!
July 10, 2017
Like lightning from a cloudless sky, so did George Whitefield burst onto the scene of 18th century England and spread revival fires where he went. This was a very encouraging and brief introduction to the life and ministry for the "Grant Itinerant", George Whitefield. What a man who was used mightily used of God! Here is a man that God used to set ablaze the hearts of many myriads of people across two continents in what we know today as "The Great Awakening".
As Dr Lawson points out in this book, what made Whitefield such a mighty tool in God's hand was mire than his skills of Oratory or even erudition, but his singular devotion to the Lord. This man lived before the face of God. He had an extraordinary love for God and people that drove him to tirelessly and earnestly call sinners to repentance. Surely, the world has yet to see the equal of George Whitefield in terms of zeal for evangelism and perpetual success in winning souls.
This book is very short read and can be done in no time. It is absolutely worth the read as one is introduced to one of the giants of Church history. May God raise up more Whitefields in our day!
As Dr Lawson points out in this book, what made Whitefield such a mighty tool in God's hand was mire than his skills of Oratory or even erudition, but his singular devotion to the Lord. This man lived before the face of God. He had an extraordinary love for God and people that drove him to tirelessly and earnestly call sinners to repentance. Surely, the world has yet to see the equal of George Whitefield in terms of zeal for evangelism and perpetual success in winning souls.
This book is very short read and can be done in no time. It is absolutely worth the read as one is introduced to one of the giants of Church history. May God raise up more Whitefields in our day!
March 13, 2018
This was a really good read. This man led an amazing life devoted to God and for His glory. He had fiery zeal and deep convictions of God's word that brought about great spiritual awakening in different countries. Here is an excerpt from the book.
"In his thirty-four years of ministry, Whitefield preached some eighteen thousand sermons, often to multiplied thousands. If informal messages are included, such as in private homes, this number easily increases to thirty thousand sermons, perhaps more. Three sermons a day were common; four were not uncommon. Conservative estimates are that he spoke a thousand times every year for more than thirty years. In America alone, it is estimated that eighty percent of the colonists heard him preach. This means Whitefield was seen by far more American settlers than was George Washington. Whitefield's name was more widely recognized by colonial Americans than any living person's except for those of British royalty. It is believed that Whitefield preached to more than ten million people over the course of his ministry, a staggering number."
"In his thirty-four years of ministry, Whitefield preached some eighteen thousand sermons, often to multiplied thousands. If informal messages are included, such as in private homes, this number easily increases to thirty thousand sermons, perhaps more. Three sermons a day were common; four were not uncommon. Conservative estimates are that he spoke a thousand times every year for more than thirty years. In America alone, it is estimated that eighty percent of the colonists heard him preach. This means Whitefield was seen by far more American settlers than was George Washington. Whitefield's name was more widely recognized by colonial Americans than any living person's except for those of British royalty. It is believed that Whitefield preached to more than ten million people over the course of his ministry, a staggering number."
February 27, 2024
Late in the book, Steven Lawson writes, "Whitefield demonstrates that neither mere assent to the truth, nor doctrinal correctness, is enough for effective gospel influence. There must be the empowerment of the Spirit to accompany this truth, both in the preacher and the listener." Then he quotes the passion of Whitefield himself, "Oh, how Divine truths made their own way, when attended by Divine power." Whitefield's life displays to one and al (beginning with me!), that while orthodox theology is crucial, it lies flat without the unction of the Holy Spirit. Throughout Lawson's study, we are shown Whitefield's example of evangelistic zeal that was empowered by his passion for our Holy God.
In this continuing theme, I appreciated Lawson's noting the words of Martin Lloyd-Jones, "Orthodoxy is not enough...the power of the Spirit is essential. We must be orthodox, but God forbid us to rest even on orthodoxy. We must seek the power of the Spirit that was given to George Whitefield." May I receive a double portion of the Lord's blessing that was poured on Bro. Whitefield!
In this continuing theme, I appreciated Lawson's noting the words of Martin Lloyd-Jones, "Orthodoxy is not enough...the power of the Spirit is essential. We must be orthodox, but God forbid us to rest even on orthodoxy. We must seek the power of the Spirit that was given to George Whitefield." May I receive a double portion of the Lord's blessing that was poured on Bro. Whitefield!
January 15, 2019
This was my first real encounter with Whitefield and man was it both immensely encouraging and staggeringly challenging. Whitefield stands as one of the grandest evangelist of all time. While he was certainly well equipped as a skilled thinker and communicator, it was his communion with Jesus Christ that ignited an unstoppable ministry.
Lawson writes this book with a pastors heart as he seeks to point to Whitefield as a means to push the reader toward further love for/faithfulness to Christ. As a pastor, I was greatly challenged reading Whitefield's passionate pleas to believe in Christ. This will certainly not be my last interaction Whitefield and I highly encouraging anyone look to start studying this man who was blessed by God, the book is a fantastic place to begin.
Lawson writes this book with a pastors heart as he seeks to point to Whitefield as a means to push the reader toward further love for/faithfulness to Christ. As a pastor, I was greatly challenged reading Whitefield's passionate pleas to believe in Christ. This will certainly not be my last interaction Whitefield and I highly encouraging anyone look to start studying this man who was blessed by God, the book is a fantastic place to begin.
September 26, 2017
Inspired Evangelist's Life Written to Inspire and Educate
Never even heard of George Whitfield. He appears to be an overlooked influence. Yet he apparently had a huge impact in Great Britain and the colonies as well. Really helped kick off what was called "The Great Awakening" which had a profound impact here in the Americas during the colonial period strongly spreading true Christianity based on biblical truth.
As the author concludes, we need more like George Whitfield today and I would add very desperately as well. Educational and inspiring. Well worth the read for a bible based Christian and not to be missed.
Never even heard of George Whitfield. He appears to be an overlooked influence. Yet he apparently had a huge impact in Great Britain and the colonies as well. Really helped kick off what was called "The Great Awakening" which had a profound impact here in the Americas during the colonial period strongly spreading true Christianity based on biblical truth.
As the author concludes, we need more like George Whitfield today and I would add very desperately as well. Educational and inspiring. Well worth the read for a bible based Christian and not to be missed.
June 5, 2017
I thought Steven Lawson did well in highlighting the good godly qualities of George Whitefield's character but the book lacked details of his personal struggles. Including more details of his personal struggles and how he handled them would have made Whitefield more relatable to the average reader and the book that much better. All in all, it was a good book and was very motivating for sharing the good news of the gospel of Christ.
March 16, 2018
Like all the books in this Long Line of Godly Men series, the author did a good job giving an overview of Whitefield's life in standard biography style for about the first half. Then, the rest of the book is dedicated to the core doctrines and beliefs of the man. That's what I like about this series. It goes beyond just recounting a life story and adds theological application for us today from their life's legacy.
May 29, 2023
Lawson is a favorite preacher and author of mine. I was abundantly engrossed in this book, and the life of Whitefield. His heart beat Gospel and his mouth preached Gospel, especially the new birth. He tenacity to ride from field to field displayed His commitment to bring the Gospel to the people. He is truly a fisher of men, and what a life to emulate. This book will help you to become aquatinted with a man that was used mightily by God to shape the USA, and bring many souls to Christ.
July 25, 2018
Not sure if any book has humbled my soul as much as this one. Whitefield was truly a man who knew the Lord, loved the Lord, and loved His Gospel.
This love compelled him to preach the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ alone to lost, dying, blind beggars like no one else had since Christ and the apostle themselves.
This love compelled him to preach the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ alone to lost, dying, blind beggars like no one else had since Christ and the apostle themselves.
October 7, 2018
Was a good introduction to Whitefield for me a few years ago. Definitely meant to be an intro. I think Lawson himself would want you to read Arnold Dalimore's biography (he has a condensed single volume edition and a really detailed two volume edition - both versions are really good) if you want more info on the Evangelist.
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