Thread by @AndrewRillera

Sorry to be biblicist & therefore a curmudgeon, but only time will tell if this Asbury "revival" is actually worthy of the name or if it is just futile navel gazing. If/when they start pleading the cause of the afflicted & needy w one voice, then I'll believe they "know" God.+

Getting caught up in a rapture of music & prayer can v well happen when communing w a demon. If this is truly reviving the community's communion w the Xian God, then an explosion of "social justice" is about to happen (!!). Jeremiah 9:24; 22:15–16; Matt 25:31–46. May it be so.

Since more r finding this, I’ll add Acts 2:41–47 & 4:31–35 for the #asburyrevival. The 1st 2 episodes of the Spirit filling the church lead immediately to meeting the material needs of others. This is instructive. What God has joined together let no “revival” separate.

All the couple of “for Asbury skeptics, here’s my story” 🧵s all I read was “I was skeptical but when I got there *I* felt good.” When we get stories that look like Acts 2 & 5 where suddenly people’s pantries r getting filled & debts paid/forgiven, then we can call it revival.

Let’s also add Acts 6:1–7. When communities experience revival then they r given incisive vision for self-critique. When Asbury reorganizes any unjust policies & practices to be more congruent w the justice of the gospel, then we can call it revival. #asburyrevival

Let’s add Acts 17:1–7 & 19:11–41. When the rulers wonder if this rabble will destabilize their polity centered on the idols of 🇺🇸 & Mammon 💵 bc they proclaim “another king” & r turning the society “upside down” by destroying these national idols, then we can call it revival.

P.S. I’m perfectly happy for all the Asbury to be enjoying themselves having a grand ol time. That’s great. It’s the intentional framing of this as “revival” gives me great pause. I hope the good times roll & the community & thus the world is better for it.

“Revival” is value judgment. All I’m saying is (a) we cannot evaluate right now—so maybe pause the “revival” language—& (b) we have v clear criteria to evaluate the fruits of this publicly broadcasted gathering going forward & it’s a matter of gospel integrity to apply them.

Since this is still making the rounds, some further comments:

https://twitter.com/AndrewRillera/status/1625200587653681152?s=20&t=tJ4C8FAmC6inwHfxN8UNXQ