A Revival of What Kind?

About this episode

Caleb E. Campbell discusses the implications of a perceived revival among young men in church with Pastor David Ruybalid, focusing on the importance of genuine spiritual fruit over mere numbers and emotion.

In this episode of Disarming Leviathan , Caleb sits down with Pastor David Ruybalid Ruybalid to examine the growing narrative that a “revival” is underway—especially among young men returning to church. While acknowledging real shifts in generational engagement, David offers a careful theological and pastoral critique of revival language that prioritizes numbers, emotion, or cultural momentum over repentance, humility, unity, and Spirit-formed fruit. Drawing on historical examples like the Moravian Revival, David argues that genuine revival cannot be manufactured or controlled—and must be evaluated by its fruit, not its hype. The conversation also explores why increased male participation in church has coincided with many women disengaging, highlighting the impact of institutional betrayal, abuse, unaddressed power dynamics, and the weaponization of Scripture. About David David Ruybalid is a pastor, writer, and trauma-informed practitioner who works at the intersection of church leadership, abuse response, and spiritual formation. He is the co-founder of the Religious Trauma Network and teaches on abuse response through a course developed with Danielle Strickland’s organization…

People in this episode

Host: Caleb E. Campbell

Guest: David Ruybalid

Topics covered

• revival
• church engagement
• theological critique
• male participation
• institutional betrayal
• spiritual formation

Keywords

• revival
• church
• young men
• theology
• spirituality
• abuse response
• institutional betrayal

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Religious Trauma Network

Books & works: Moravian Revival

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