This paper will examine the theology of George Whitefield, the colonial revivalist and humanitarian. Much has been written about Whitefield in terms of his biography, the history of the Great Awakening period, and his contributions to Methodism and Evangelicalism. However, little has been written about the content of his sermons and his theology.
The paper will examine his sermons (about 100 extant) to determine his theology of holiness and sin. Many of his sermons are not evangelistic in the modern sense. He certainly called sinners to repentance at the end of his sermons, but many of the sermons address issues of sin and worldliness. He called believers and unbelievers to a life of holiness and to shun the wickedness of the world.
Additionally, the paper will investigate Whitefield’s life growing up in a tavern and how those experiences contributed to his preaching. Without doubt, Whitefield witnessed much worldliness in the confines of the Bell Inn.
Whitefield devoted his life to preaching the Word and calling sinners to repentance. His preaching was forceful, convicting, Word-centered, and Christ-centered. Whitefield’s theology of sin looms large in his sermons. He called his listeners to holiness and warned them of the coming judgment for their sins. His theology of sin flows from his belief in the authority of Scripture, the holiness of God, the depravity of man, and the future judgment.
Whitefield’s vision of the holiness and majesty of God cultivated in him a sensitivity to sin and worldliness.