Not too hard for God

WHEN GOD WALKED ON CAMPUS
by Michael F. Gleason
Joshua Press. 140 pages.
ISBN 1 894400 16 X

The subtitle of this book tells us that it is a brief history of evangelical awakenings at American colleges and universities. Such a subject is bound to bring the Christian reader encouragement, and this book does.

The writer, who is a college chaplain, takes us through four eras, early 19th century, mid 19th century, early 20th and mid to late 20th centuries, in investigating movements of God's Spirit among the student communities in the US. At the end of each period survey we find a sermon on the subject of revival from such great men as Spurgeon, Dr. Lloyd-Jones and J. Edwin Orr. At the outset of the book Dr. Gleason distinguishes between experience-centred and word-centred revivals and argues for the necessity of pursuing the latter. Also within each section there is a self-study guide, which prompts readers into Bible study and to ask themselves searching questions concerning their own walk with God.

The hardness of the various historical situations recounted here into which God chose to break with a measure of revival is in itself uplifting. Our own land at the present time is not too hard for God. From the accounts of what the Lord has done the fundamental lessons of our need for God and for prayer and repentance in the church are hammered home. Also one is left rejoicing in the great consequences of God's visitations, especially the statistics regarding men and women who subsequently went to the mission field. Here we also learn for example of the true origins of the YMCA.