Dr. Timothy Tennent: The Asbury Awakening, the “Fourth Turning” and the Preaching of the Gospel
February 8, 2024 marked the one-year anniversary of the Asbury Awakening which riveted the Christian world and even caught the attention of the secular media. Like many of you, I have spent a lot of time reflecting on those 16 amazing days in Wilmore, as well as all the promising ways this awakening continues to resonate with Gen Z. I remain convinced that we are in the early days of a new spiritual awakening among young people around the world.
I recently read The Fourth Turning is Here by Neill Howe. This New York Times best seller is an analysis of the cyclical periods of human history known as a saeculum. A saeculum is a period of time roughly equivalent of four generations of people, usually between 80-100 years. As we know, each generation has its own name, but Howe argues that each successive generation conforms to larger archetypes known as heroes, artists, prophets. and nomads. The four generations known as the GI generation (Greatest Generation, born 1901 to 1924), the Silent Generation (born 1925-1945), the Baby Boomers (born 1946-1964) and Gen X (born 1965-1980) would be an example of the more recent full cycle of heroes, artists, prophets and nomads. Howe argues that history predictably passes through a cycle or “turning” much like the seasons of spring, summer, fall and winter. These four “turnings” are known as a cultural “high” followed by an “awakening” followed by an “unraveling” and finally a “crisis.” Howe argues that we are currently in the fourth turning of a cultural crisis which will climax in some major catastrophe like a civil war, an economic collapse or some other major event which leads to a cultural re-set.
Howe argues that we are currently in the last phase of the “crisis” period which will reach its climax sometime in the next decade. Regardless of your views about this kind of historical analysis, there are several key observations which I think are important for all church leaders to reflect on. First, if you are Millennial (hero archetype born between 1981-1996) or Gen Z (artist archetype born 1997-2012) you will likely be far more pessimistic about the future since you are coming of age during a “crisis” period of history. There are countless studies which have confirmed the pessimism of younger adults about the future, whether it be their job prospects/fulfillment or the likelihood of reaching financial security before retirement. Even life-expectancy has begun to drop for the first time in over a century. In short, we are teaching, preaching and leading in a time of cultural anxiety. Second, unlike many historians, Howe openly acknowledges the key role spiritual renewal and revival have played in the period between a cultural crisis and the full renewal, or awakening of a culture. Whether it be the Reformation in the 16th century, the First Great Awakening (beginning in the 1730s), the Second Great Awakening (beginning in 1790s), The Third Great Awakening (beginning in the 1850s), or the rise of the Jesus movement and Billy Graham revivals in the 1960s and 70s, each of these occurred in the wake of a cultural crisis and resulted in the emergence of a new cultural high and awakening.
What does this mean for us? This means that despite all the “gloom and doom” of the current period of history we live in, it is actually the dawn of a new window of opportunity and spiritual receptivity among the younger generations. The Asbury Awakening which began last February may be one of the small signs that a stirring is taking place which, over time, will mark another spiritual great awakening. Literally, only time will tell. But there is no doubt that if you are a Christian leader at this time in history, we are simultaneously surrounded by a growing despair and a growing hunger for something more which is critical in how we view the decades before us. These are promising days to boldly proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ. We are so accustomed to rehearsing the decline in the church that we may be missing the deeper reality: this is the necessary shaking of the church so that a more purified and vibrant witness will be revealed which can actually re-present the gospel in a renewed and more powerful way in the years ahead.
Excellent article. Dr. Tennent shows a depth of understanding on this cultural issue, one that offers hope to church leaders in a time when hope is desperately needed.
Dr. Tennent once again demonstrates his keen insight into the world around us, showing adequate reasons we should be optimistic and opportunistic with a winsome witness for the cause of Christ around the world.
Add the crisis of meaning to our young secularized generations and something is going to break (open) !
I have been reading about the “Fourth Turning” and the larger work, “Generations,” for some time now, even Phyllis Tickle’s “Great Emergence.” I agree with Dr. Tennent’s perspective on this. Obviously, one concern is: What will the tail end of this crisis be? Howe’s work primarily focuses on the US, but I am seeing revival occur on a massive level in Cuba right now. God willing this will happen here as well!
Dr. Tennent is a scholar and a practical theologian who understands that history is moving toward a divine telos. Even when it follows a discernable pattern, God is the force behind it. The next American awakening may be the last one before Jesus returns. Maranatha.