A movie about the great spiritual revival that fueled the American Revolution for independence hit the number 6 spot at the US box office during its opening over the Easter weekend.
Despite having no big-name stars and only screening in around 1,300 cinemas which is a third of those showing the other top movies, A Great Awakening earned more than A$3 million.
It tells the true story of how evangelist Reverend George Whitefield (Jonathan Blair) sparked the First Great Awakening, uniting an entire generation with his thundering proclamation of liberty in Christ.
It also focuses on the unlikely friendship between Whitefield and Benjamin Franklin (John Paul Sneed) who sided with science rather than the Gospel.
EVANGELIST CHANGED THE SPIRITUAL CLIMATE IN AMERICA
With the colonies on the brink of collapse while facing a fierce British monarchy that threatened to violently crush dissent, Whitefield sought to change the spiritual climate in America during the decade of the 1730s.
His fervour for the Gospel helped fuel the First Great Awakening as he united the population with his powerful sermons.
One of Whitefield’s closest friends and greatest promoters was the multi-skilled influential intellectual of the era, Benjamin Franklin — a scientist, inventor, writer, printer and publisher who became a statesman, diplomat and one of the Founding Fathers of the United States who signed the Declaration of Independence.
Franklin discovers true liberty cannot only be written into law, but that it must also be awakened in the hearts of the people.
PEOPLE WERE ENRAPTURED BY WHITEFIELD’S SONOROUS VOICE
As thousands of people gave their lives to Jesus in response to Whitefield’s Gospel preachings throughout the colonies, Franklin resisted, describing himself as a pragmatic Deist who believed in God, but valued science more.
There simply isn’t enough evidence for him to believe in Jesus Christ.
But that didn’t stop Whitefield from having a profound impact on Franklin’s life, leading to a pivotal moment in US history.
In 1739, Benjamin heard George’s thunderous voice for the first time while working in his print shop in Philadelphia.
He watched as the city became enraptured by the power behind George’s sonorous voice.
THE POWER OF THE EVANGELIST’S BOOMING TONES
When George finishes, the people burst into a spontaneous hymn.
No one has heard such a voice as his before.
It carries over his audience with a passion and zeal unheard of among Anglican preachers.
Benjamin Franklin estimates his voice could be heard by 30,000 people at once.
GEORGE WHITEFIELD’S WORDS GRIP THE SOON-TO-BE NATION
“Let us proclaim freedom to the captives,” George boomed.
“Whom the son sets free is free indeed! Arise, O sleeper, awaken!”
Benjamin Franklin concedes that George’s words seem to be gripping the soon-to-be fledgling nation.
And as a printer, Benjamin knows that gripping words make for the sale of plenty of papers.
“What did you make of Mr. Whitefield’s message today?” someone asked Benjamin.
“I plan to make a lot from it,” he quipped.
COLONISTS AWAKEN TO THE FREEDOM OF THE GOSPEL AND FROM ENGLAND
As Benjamin befriends George and prints his Gospel message of liberty throughout the colonies, the people begin to stir.
The colonists awaken — and not solely to the freedom offered by Christ, but also to the idea of liberty from England.
The movie was released as America celebrates its 250th year of liberty.
It is promoted as Before The Revolution There Was A Revelation.
It was produced by Sight & Sound Theatres and Roadside Attractions.
“THE SOUL OF A NATION IS SHAPED BY THE CONVICTIONS OF ITS PEOPLE”
“As we approach America’s 250th anniversary, we’re honoured to share this inspiring story of friendship, faith, and courage,” said Joshua Enck, President and Chief Story Officer of Sight & Sound Ministries and director of the movie.
“It’s a timely reminder that the soul of a nation is shaped not just by laws, but by the convictions of its people.”
Focus on the Family’s entertainment outlet Plugged in writes: “A Great Awakening does a fine job of showing, rather than telling, how men like George Whitefield influenced the American Revolution, even unintentionally.”
“It demonstrates how these men helped to embed the United States in Christian ideas and principles through their relationships with some of its non-religious founders, like Benjamin Franklin.”
“Implicit in the film is a tale of Christian unity.”
“Despite George Whitefield holding an opposing view on Calvinism from friends Charles and John Wesley, the trio nevertheless work together in their common goal of preaching the Gospel.”
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