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Church History Chart
The 19th century Debate That Changed The Conversion Experience
Impact of the DebateThe debate largely occurred between Finney and his contemporary Calvinist critics (such as Asahel Nettleton and Lyman Beecher) in the 19th century, with Calvin's writings representing the established orthodoxy Finney was challenging.
- Calvinism's view was the dominant theological perspective of the First Great Awakening, emphasizing that true conversion was a spontaneous, sovereign work of God.
- Finney's view led to the development of modern American evangelical revivalism, with methods like the altar call becoming widely adopted. Critics argue that this approach can lead to false conversions by focusing on emotional manipulation and human decision rather than genuine internal transformation by the Holy Spirit.
In essence, Calvin viewed conversion as a divine act upon a spiritually dead individual, while Finney viewed it as a human decision influenced by effective evangelistic techniques and the individual's free will.
The core of the "debate" between John Calvin's theology and Charles Finney's approach to conversion
The core of the "debate" between John Calvin's theology and Charles Finney's approach to conversion lies in the fundamental disagreement between Calvinism (God's sovereignty, predestination, total depravity) and Arminian revivalism (human free will, personal responsibility, "new measures" for conversion). Feature John Calvin (Calvinism)Charles Finney (Revivalism/Finneyism)View of Human NatureHumans are born with a totally depraved "sin nature" and cannot convert themselves (Total Depravity).Humans are in a state of moral neutrality and possess free will, fully capable of choosing good or evil and responding to the gospel (Arminian/Pelagian influence).Role of God in ConversionGod is absolutely sovereign; conversion is a spontaneous, direct work of God's irresistible grace for the "elect" (predestination).God offers a choice, and human effort/decision is central to the conversion experience. Revival is not a miracle but the natural result of human effort and the right use of "means".Role of Human EffortHuman effort or "means" are downplayed; salvation is solely dependent on God's will.Stressed personal responsibility and the use of specific techniques ("new measures," "anxious bench," altar calls) to bring about conversion.FocusTheocentric (God-centered).Anthropocentric (human-centered/individualistic).AtonementChrist's death was a penal substitutionary atonement for the elect (satisfying retributive justice).Held a "Moral Government" or "Moral Influence" theory of the atonement, denying substitutionary payment for sin.Finney, a central figure in the Second Great Awakening, was an ordained Presbyterian minister who became a controversial figure precisely because his views and "new measures" for revival were a revolt against traditional Calvinist doctrines. He considered Calvinism to be a stumbling block to revivals, paralyzing human action by making people wait for a sovereign God to act.
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