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Copyright © 2018 Joseph Michael Delph All rights reserved. The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary has permission to reproduce and disseminate this document in any form by any means for purposes chosen by the Seminary, including, without limitation, preservation or instruction. GEORGE WHITEFIELD’S PREACHING: AN EVANGELICAL RESPONSE TO THE ENLIGHTENMENT __________________ A Dissertation Presented to the Faculty of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary __________________ In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Philosophy __________________ by Joseph Michael Delph May 2018 APPROVAL SHEET GEORGE WHITEFIELD’S PREACHING: AN EVANGELICAL RESPONSE TO THE ENLIGHTENMENT Joseph Michael Delph Read and Approved by: __________________________________________ Adam W. Greenway (Chair) __________________________________________ Timothy K. Beougher __________________________________________ James Parker III Date______________________________ To Amber, the one that is a persistent encourager in gospel living, My most treasured gift, And to Hayley, Cooper, and Layna Our spectacular blessings from God TABLE OF CONTENTS Page PREFACE ........................................................................................................................ viii 1. INTRODUCTION ...................................................................................................1 Statement of the Problem ....................................................................................2 Background .........................................................................................................3 Personal Interest ......................................................................................... 4 Methodology .......................................................................................................8 Research Methodology .............................................................................. 8 Definitions ................................................................................................. 9 Limitations ............................................................................................... 12 Outline of the Dissertation ................................................................................12 2. BIOGRAPHCIAL SKETCH OF WHITEFIELD .................................................15 General Biography ............................................................................................16 Influences and Culture ............................................................................. 20 Becoming a believer ................................................................................ 22 Growing into Ministry Calling ..........................................................................27 Influence of Charles and John Wesley .................................................... 27 Influence of the Church and Friends ....................................................... 29 Early Preaching Ministry ......................................................................... 33 Preaching in Great Britian ....................................................................... 42 Impact on Christian Culture ..............................................................................45 iv Chapter Page 3. THE ENLIGHTENMENT PERIOD .....................................................................48 Time Period and Background of The Enlightenment .......................................50 Influence of John Locke .......................................................................... 53 Influence of Isaac Newton ....................................................................... 56 Influence of David Hume ........................................................................ 57 Influence of Rene Descartes .................................................................... 59 Influence of Immanuel Kant .................................................................... 65 Cultural Movement Related to Truth ................................................................69 Individual-driven ..................................................................................... 70 Experience-Based .................................................................................... 71 Problems with the Enlightenment ............................................................ 72 Awakenings .......................................................................................................74 First Great Awakening ............................................................................. 75 Influence of John Wesley ........................................................................ 76 Influence of Jonathan Edwards ................................................................ 83 New Beginnings in America .............................................................................89 Freedom-orientation Toward Philosophy ................................................ 89 Call to Return to Biblical Truth ............................................................... 91 4. THE APOLOGETIC OF WHITEFIELD ..............................................................94 Types of Apologetics ........................................................................................95 The Roots of the Church of England ................................................................98 Brief History of the Theology of the Church of England ........................ 99 Early Colonial Life ................................................................................ 106 Calvinistic Theology .............................................................................. 109 v Chapter Page Presuppositional Apologetic Approach ...............................................................115 Approach of Cornelius Van Til ............................................................. 119 Similarities to Approach of Whitefield .................................................. 125 Cultural Changes .............................................................................................126 Enlightenment Difficulties ..................................................................... 127 Presuppositional Apologetic Answers ................................................... 130 5. CHALLENGING THE ENLIGHTENMENT IN WHITEFIELD’S SERMONS .............................................................................131 Textual Style of Sermons ................................................................................131 Notable Sermons Used to Engage Culture ......................................................132 Original Sin ........................................................................................... 132 Presuppositions ...................................................................................... 148 New Birth ............................................................................................... 155 Salvation ................................................................................................ 166 Truth ...................................................................................................... 177 Reason .................................................................................................... 180 Conclusion ......................................................................................................191 6. CONCLUSION ...................................................................................................193 Summary of Analysis ......................................................................................193 Implications of Analysis .................................................................................195 Insights for the Contemporary Church ............................................................197 Writing Evangelistically and Apologetically for Pastors ................................198 Evangelistic and Apologetic Sermons for Pastors ..........................................200 APPENDIX ......................................................................................................................202 vi Page BIBLIOGRAPHY ........................................................................................................... 218 vii PREFACE This dissertation would not have been possible without the invaluable help and support of the following individuals. Professor Adam Greenway, Chair of my doctoral committee, has given significant insight toward the topic in connecting two disciplines of study, apologetics and evangelism. Professor Tim Beougher has provided the historical precision necessary to achieve accuracy. Professor James Parker’s witty wisdom has also left an indelible mark in the area of apologetics and philosophy. Professor Bill Henard has helped significantly with the writing process in clarity and form. The staff and members of Porter Memorial Baptist Church have also been an incredible source of encouragement. Sitting under the leadership of great men of God has marked my life with grace and love. There are also many members and volunteers that have shared their lives with my family during this time-consuming process. Your love for my family has touched our hearts deeply, and we can never thank you enough. My parents have also been a constant source of motivation. There have been countless times in my life when they have been there for me. That has not changed no matter my age. My parents-in-law have also shown our
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