The Rise of Evangelicalism: The Age of Edwards, Whitefield and the Wesleys

The Rise of Evangelicalism charts the emergence and development of the evangelical movement in Britain and America during the 1700s. Mark Noll examines the cultural and religious landscape that gave rise to this Protestant revival, focusing on pivotal figures Jonathan Edwards, George Whitefield, and John and Charles Wesley. The book traces evangelical Christianity from its roots in European Pietism through its spread across the Atlantic world. Noll documents the movement's growth through networks of preachers, publications, and institutions, while analyzing the social conditions that enabled its rapid expansion. Major themes include cross-cultural religious exchange between Britain and its colonies, the relationship between reason and emotion in religious experience, and the democratization of Christianity. The historical examination reveals how evangelical beliefs and practices helped reshape Protestant Christianity and influenced broader cultural developments in the English-speaking world.

Readers highlight Noll's thorough research and clear writing style in explaining the evangelical movement's 18th century origins. Many note his balanced treatment of major figures like Edwards, Whitefield and the Wesleys while also covering lesser-known contributors. Readers appreciated: - Detailed analysis of social and cultural contexts - Integration of primary source material - Coverage of both British and American developments - Clear explanations of theological concepts Common criticisms: - Academic tone can be dry - Some sections get bogged down in details - Limited coverage of women's roles - Focus primarily on British/American contexts with less on other regions Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (89 ratings) Amazon: 4.5/5 (31 ratings) One reviewer noted: "Noll excels at showing how evangelicalism emerged from broader cultural forces rather than just individual leaders." Another mentioned: "The theological discussions require careful reading but reward the effort."

The Spirit of Early Evangelicalism by Bruce Hindmarsh This work examines the cultural and spiritual forces that shaped evangelical Christianity in the 18th century through the lives of its key figures and movements.

George Whitefield: America's Spiritual Founding Father by Thomas S. Kidd This biography connects Whitefield's ministry to the broader context of the Great Awakening and the formation of American religious identity.

Jonathan Edwards: A Life by George M. Marsden The text provides a comprehensive study of Edwards' theological development within the context of colonial America and the broader Protestant reformation.

John Wesley: A Biography by Stephen Tomkins This biography traces Wesley's transformation from Oxford scholar to religious reformer while examining his impact on 18th-century British society.

The First Great Awakening in Colonial American History by Thomas S. Kidd The book presents the theological, social, and political dimensions of the Great Awakening through primary sources and historical analysis.

🔷 The evangelical movement discussed in this book emerged during a time known as "The Long Eighteenth Century" (1662-1800), a period marked by remarkable social changes including the Industrial Revolution and the American Revolution. 🔷 George Whitefield, one of the central figures in the book, preached over 18,000 sermons during his lifetime and could be heard by crowds of up to 30,000 people in an era before microphones or amplification. 🔷 Author Mark A. Noll is considered one of the foremost scholars of American religious history and was named one of Time Magazine's 25 most influential evangelicals in America in 2005. 🔷 Jonathan Edwards, another key figure covered in the book, was not only a revivalist preacher but also served as president of Princeton University (then called the College of New Jersey) in 1758. 🔷 The Wesley brothers, John and Charles, wrote over 6,000 hymns between them, many of which are still sung in churches today. Charles alone composed more than 6,500 hymns, including "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing."