In early April, Pam and I saw a film that I consider especially remarkable – namely, “A Great Awakening.” I was truly moved by this movie and continue to hear outstanding reports about this film that portrays the unlikely friendship between Benjamin Franklin and George Whitefield.
Whitefield boldly preached the Gospel to masses of people far and wide in colonial America during a time historians call the Great Awakening. During this era, countless people turned to Christ as the Gospel was proclaimed unapologetically.
“A Great Awakening” powerfully portrays the spiritual influence that Whitefield’s writings and preaching had on Benjamin Franklin.
Although Franklin had been a self-professed deist who valued science over God, by the time of the Constitutional Convention Franklin would seek to have the meetings open with prayer. (Sadly, George Whitefield died in 1770, and Franklin would outlive him by 20 years.)
According to the movie’s website, it is still being shown, through April 30, in many Alabama theaters. “A Great Awakening” is also available for pre-order as a video on Amazon. (If you order on Amazon, be very careful because there are similarly named products that have nothing to do with this film.)
I hope you and your family will see this aptly timed movie that has been released during this 250th year of our nation’s founding. May God bless America and may each of us honor our Lord in this year and throughout our lives.
