Of course, I have written on this theme before. (My first book was “The Coming Great Reformation”). But recently I have sensed God reminding me again that unless there is massive “shaking” and change in the church – then any ‘move’ that comes will not achieve what He desires. Some people simply want a return to repentance preaching and holiness in the churches. They just want an old- fashioned ‘Revival’. That is a laudable aim – and one that I personally love – but it is not enough. In fact, it is nowhere near enough.

The fact is, Reformations are far messier, more contentious and immensely more “shaking” than Revivals. They tend to target pet doctrines, ingrained cultures and structures that the church has been clinging to for years. They bring massive disruption and division. They force people to “choose sides”. Those of us who have studied history think that simple “Revivals” are bad enough. Well, Reformations are ten times worse! And yet, without this level of “shaking”, God simply cannot achieve what He wants to achieve.

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Tags: Andrew Strom, holiness, reformation, revival