Introduction
When
Charles Finney became a Christian he abandoned his law studies and
turned to evangelistic preaching instead. He emphasized intensive
preparatory prayer, direct calls to listeners to repent and change the
direction of their lives, daily meetings, and “anxious benches” for
those in fervent prayer for their salvation Half a million people
confessed Christ in his meetings. Because of his insistence that people
could get right with God if they chose to, Finney was accused of
teaching Arminianism at the very least if not Pelagianism (the idea that
people can choose the good without Divine assistance). He also
generated controversy by teaching that Christians can become sinless
here and now (up to their knowledge). And, his “moral theory” of the
atonement was considered heresy by some theologians, who consequently
refused to have anything to do with him. J. H. McIlvaine (Joshua Hall
McIlvaine, a prominent pastor, educator, and author) had been an
opponent, but later changed his mind and wrote the following letter
on this day, 4 May, 1890:
Quote
“In answer to your note of
March 29th
inquiring for particulars of Mr. Finney’s labors in Rochester while I
was there, I am happy to say that I regard them as connected with the
greatest work of grace I have ever seen in any of the churches. I was
not in sympathy with it at the time, and would not admit Mr. Finney into
the pulpit of the First Church, of which I was then pastor; but I have
long been convinced that I was totally wrong, and have since taken
occasion to say so to the church itself. During the revival Rochester
rocked to its foundations. Great numbers of hopeful converts were added
to all the churches during his labors. You are at liberty to make what
use of these statements you please.”
Source
Wright, G. Frederick.
Charles Grandison Finney. Oberlin, OH: 1891.
