Can America experience another Great Awakening?

About this episode

The episode discusses the potential for a new Great Awakening in America, exploring its implications for individuals, the church, and society at large.

As part of the ongoing America 250 series, this episode of Faith & Clarity features Dr. Mark Turman joined by Dr. Ryan Denison for a conversation about spiritual awakening—what it means personally, within the church, and across an entire culture. Drawing from Acts 2 and the recurring pattern of rebellion and return throughout the Old Testament, they reflect on the Holy Spirit’s sovereign role in revival and why true awakening cannot be manufactured through formulas or emotional moments alone. Together, they discuss the importance of repentance, discipleship, and genuine transformation, while cautioning against responses driven primarily by peer pressure or temporary enthusiasm. The conversation also explores the historical impact of the First Great Awakening, inspired in part by the film A Great Awakening and Ryan’s earlier discussion on Reconstructed Faith. Mark and Ryan highlight the influence of George Whitefield’s preaching, Benjamin Franklin’s friendship with Whitefield, and how a shared spiritual revival helped shape unity among the colonies and contributed to the ideas surrounding the American Revolution as America approaches its 250th anniversary. They also consider…

People in this episode

Host: Dr. Mark Turman

Guest: Dr. Ryan Denison

Topics covered

• spiritual awakening
• revival
• repentance
• discipleship
• historical impact
• American Revolution
• media influence

Keywords

• Great Awakening
• spiritual revival
• Holy Spirit
• Acts 2
• cultural transformation
• peer pressure
• patriotic quiz

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: A Great Awakening

Places: America

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