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This essay re-examines Robert W. Fogel's thesis in The Fourth Great Awakening and the Future of Egalitarianism, which sees America's religious revivals as pivotal in the transformation of culture through the political process, ultimately producing greater equality. Fogel's work thus provides the context for examining the impact of evangelical Christianity on American culture. Curiously, Fogel's approach brackets the underlying spiritual reality beneath the conversion experience, and assumes the primacy of social economic, and political processes in U.S. history. Yet, the Puritan Awakening the nature of overlapping historical cycles leading to greater equality, and the increasing secularization of American society--all beg the question of interpreting U.S. history, and leave open the prospect of spiritual renewal which would characterize America's Fourth Great Awakening. Hence, the essay tries to regraft some of the spiritual roots onto Fogel's secular interpretation of historical events and the dynamics of American culture.

The Azusa Street revival of 1906 to 1909 has persistently symbolized the central point from which the worldwide pentecostal movement originated. Despite reference to pentecostalism's multiple points of origin and deep divergences among pentecostals on theological and social issues, Azusa represents the theological assumptions and eschatological hopes of early pentecostals. The presence of the doctrine of tongues at Azusa compelled many to believe that a new divine activity of the Spirit had begun. The Azusa revival, not the Welsh, came to be regarded as the second pentecost.

The Puritan colonists in New England, who subscribed to the Calvinist doctrine that salvation was preordained for a limited elect, faced problems in maintaining the purity of their church that led to revivalism and eventually to universalism. Revivals were originally introduced as a means of helping the presumed elect to experience grace. However, their success soon came to imply that salvation was available to anyone who would accept it. This universalist doctrine was widely accepted by the late 18th century.

Revivalism in the Wanganui-Manawatu region of New Zealand in the late 1800s is discussed. Article analyzes the work of revivalists Dwight Moody and Ira Sankey and outlines the history and influences of their revivalist movement.

An evangelical revivalist movement led by evangelist Frank Buchman in the 1920s is examined. Article discusses the origins of the movement in elite colleges and universities, Buchman's presentation of religion to appeal to young people, and the movement's eventual spread from the United States to Great Britain.

'Pentecost Has Come,' roared the September 1906 headline of the |Apostolic Faith newspaper, published by an obscure mission on Azusa Street in Los Angeles. New Testament Christianity finally was being [...]