George Whitefield, Volume 1
George Whitefield has always fascinated me. Upon hearing of his dramatic displays of passionate preaching, I was longing to read more of this great man of God. In George Whitefield Volume One, Arnold Dallimore shares the life and times of the great evangelist of the 18th-century revival.
Personality and Preaching
In just less than 600 pages, Volume One introduces us to George Whitefield as a boy, a young minister, and a famous preacher. We see how Whitefield’s ancestry and upbringing played a part in who he would become. He was described as having a “vigorous animal spirit” and “extraordinary sensitivity.” This book helped me see the personality behind the preacher.
The gifts of a vivid imagination and intense emotion, along with those of good elocution and memory, served him well throughout his years. But Whitefield was not just for show. The chief characteristics of his preaching were biblical content, doctrinal emphasis, yet simplification for all to understand.
Compassion and Comparison
Upon his arrival in America, he recognized the state of Georgia’s new economy, recognizing the people’s problems and seeking to effect some lasting improvement. His heart was moved by the sufferings of homeless children, and that Christian compassion demanded that he help them.
The book does not shy away from Whitefield’s faults, especially how he was influenced towards accepting the principle of slavery. We also get a glimpse of his love for Elizabeth Delamotte. We also see how he compared and related to The Wesley brothers and Jonathan Edwards.
The Life and Times
They are not the only supporting cast of characters. The Oxford Holy Club, the open airfields, and the printing press/publishing industry have a lot to reveal about Whitefield’s life and character. The book is an extraordinary look at the life and times of this extraordinary man.
With many personal entries from Whiteifeld’s Journals sprinkled throughout the text, I feel like I have traveled, worked, and grown with him after reading this book. It’s a thrilling, captivating, and exhausting experience of a lifetime. And I can’t wait to read what comes next.
I received a media copy of George Whitefield and this is my honest review. Find more of my book reviews and follow Dive In, Dig Deep on Instagram - my account dedicated to Bibles and books to see the beauty of the Bible and the role of reading in the Christian life. To read all of my book reviews and to receive all of the free eBooks I find on the web, subscribe to my free newsletter.