Ricochet is the best place on the internet to discuss the issues of the day, either through commenting on posts or writing your own for our active and dynamic community in a fully moderated environment. In addition, the Ricochet Audio Network offers over 50 original podcasts with new episodes released every day.
Timeless Wisdom from Justice Thomas and a Revival of Hope From a Small KY College
I. Hope for our Time? Dare We Hope?
From time to time, I am overwhelmed by a sense that the radicals of the far left have beaten our poor Nation down to a depth from which it realistically cannot be recovered. Right now, I am working on a piece tentatively titled “The Disunited States of Dystopia,” cataloging the numerous illustrations of what not long ago would have been called bizarre craziness all around us. It is a most depressing endeavor, to put it mildly. But from the darkest crevices of the abyss there come, occasionally, tiny glints of hope, and two of those coincided for me in the last few days.
One was a masterpiece of philosophy in the form of a speech given 25 years ago by one of our life icons, Justice Clarence Thomas. The other was the phenomenon – there is no other way to describe it- of an impromptu, nonstop prayer meeting and revival which started about nine days ago at Asbury University, a small Christian college in Wilmore, KY, which is drawing worshipers from all over the country.
II. “The Dove Has Landed at Asbury University.”
Willmore, KY, has a population of 6,000, but videos on social media of the revival there have racked up views estimated as of yesterday at over 30 million. As a pastor from a church near Nashville who visited the service yesterday described it:
A wide spectrum of people have come from the United States and “literally across the world,” Mr. Whitworth said.
One of those visitors is the Rev. Robby Gallaty, senior pastor at Long Hollow Church in Hendersonville, Tennessee, outside of Nashville.
He visited Asbury this week and said the unassuming setting of the auditorium — there are no projection screens, no plethora of instruments, “no expansive sound system,” didn’t detract from the impact.
“None of that mattered to anyone,” Mr. Gallaty said. “Because they weren’t there for that. I sense this genuine hunger by the people, that they were there for God and they wanted more of God.”
Mr. Gallaty said denominational labels didn’t seem to matter.
“No one cared about what they did or what church they pastor or what book they wrote or what blog they posted,” he said. “We were simply there and Jesus really was, it seemed, the centerpiece of the worship. I think what God’s doing is he’s drawing people who have a hunger for God.”
Another prominent theologian said, “the revival is helping fill a spiritual void among members of Generation Z,” and added:
“These young people are feeling in their life this spiritual vacuum, somewhat of an emptiness in the society they’re in and a real need for hope,” Mr. Wilson said. “The mental health crisis in this generation is significant. The uncertainty of the times, the feeling of lostness, in a world of 8 billion people, who are they, in the midst of it, the desire for purpose. I think all of these are driving a generation to look beyond themselves for the answer.”
Perhaps the best description came from Eliza Crawford, a sophomore at the college:
“The truth is, I don’t feel qualified to be interviewed,” said sophomore Eliza Crawford of Ashland, where she is a member of Unity Baptist Church. “I have experienced God this week in a way I haven’t before, but the radical change of others seems more significant. I feel like a bystander in the story that is unfolding and continues to unfold. I feel like a reporter. A witness to the testimonies of lives changed, tears shed, hugs shared, and utter joy and peace that is indescribable. As I head back tonight (Friday) I am anticipating encountering more and to hear and see how He is moving and working in all our lives.”
Is this phenomenon a genuine manifestation of the hunger in our young people for something more than the “right” pronouns (for what it’s worth, the freak show who was formerly a high official in a major department of the Biden administration and was busted for stealing luggage and clothes at two airports has chosen “they/them”) or the momentous question of what is a woman or the selection of important officials on the basis of the color of their skin and/or their sexual preferences? I — no theologian, to be sure — prefer to think it is, an opinion voiced by several theologians about this revival. There have been cautious notes raised, such as those by a Professor of New Testament at a college in Los Angeles, noting his hope that this wasn’t just “an emotional outburst” having no lasting impact.
Friends came to the altar to worship and pray. (Photo by Mori Crawford)
Maybe there are those who can look at these scenes of pure love and joy and hugs and tears and not be moved to think in terms of hope for our time. I am not one of them.
III. Justice Thomas on Character, His Two Great Heroes, and Aristotle
It is difficult, if not impossible, for me to be objective about Justice Clarence Thomas. He is, quite simply, one of the great icons of my life, a position amplified a hundredfold by our great fortune in having met and talked with this great man on two different occasions. Shortly after I saw the coverage of the revival in Kentucky on the Tucker Carlson show, I happened upon the article, which is the subject of this discussion.
It is the transcript of a speech the Justice gave 25 years ago, and many of his statements that long ago could have been written about events that happened yesterday. Other passages, however, serve as bittersweet reminders of how far American society has declined in the last 25 years. What follows are a few highlights from this speech; however, I cannot recommend too highly a thorough reading of the whole thing.
After noting that America was living in an “age of unprecedented prosperity, freedom, and opportunity” and that there was “much for which we should all be thankful” he also noted, drawing on Charles Dickens’s Bleak House:
The cultural elites are destroying our younger generation’s appreciation for self-discipline and self-sacrifice. These cultural institutions need to “clean up their act.” For those who seem unable to function in this society, we may be tempted to wash our hands and conclude that they should return to work and adopt the work ethic and a life of virtue.
In other words, be like us.
‘Bleak House’ Through a Telescope
In a sense, we become much like Mrs. Jellyby in Charles Dickens’ “Bleak House.” She was content to throw herself wholeheartedly and enthusiastically into her distant philanthropic projects involving fan-makers and flower girls, but was unconcerned about her unkempt children, her filthy house, neglected husband, or the starving beggar at the door.
Her telescopic philanthropy is perhaps our telescopic criticism.
He then moved to his main subject, character, and the role the “two great heroes in [his] life” played in teaching him the great lessons of character building.
Most of us are more contextual when we think about or speak of character. For example, a person of character is a pillar of his family and community and, I might add, leads by example.
As hard as I try, I cannot discuss the issue of character, or much that is of lasting importance to me, without referring to two great heroes of my life: my grandparents. They were honest, hardworking people who lived a simple, honest life with clear rules.
They embody for me all that character could or should mean. They were “bound and determined, in their words, to raise us right. Their rules were in plain English: “Always say good morning”; “Speak when spoken to”; “Tell the truth”; “Never let the sun catch you in bed.”
I had the opportunity to ask my brother if he could remember the sun catching us in bed, and he could not.
Another counsel: “Put a handle on grownups’ names—Miss Mariah, Cousin Bea, Cousin Hattie, or Miss Gertrude.”
One of my grandfather’s favorite admonitions, always spoken in a deep baritone voice with the seriousness of the Last Judgment, was “If you lie, you’ll steal. If you steal, you’ll cheat. If you cheat, you’ll kill.” This slippery slope was clear, and the final resting place of one who ventured to its precipice was so clear that the first step demanded disproportionate punishment–which I received.
Above all, even while we were in the early years of grammar school, my grandfather made one solemn promise that underscored our life with him and my grandmother: “I will never tell you to do as I say, not as I do. I will only tell you to do as I do.”
***
Perhaps they understood implicitly what Aristotle concluded. We acquire virtues in much the same way that we acquire other skills—by practicing the craft: “So also, then, we become just by doing just actions; temperate by doing temperate actions; brave by doing brave actions.”
As noted above, some passages are somewhat sad and poignant in that they remind us of how much we have lost over the quarter-century since those words were spoken:
Voluntary associations, such as families, churches, and small communities, expand the reach of those who lead and who show others how to do so. The relationships we foster through these voluntary associations reaffirm for us that we are doing what is right, not only by leading and helping others, but by being virtuous as we do so.
That is the way it was growing up in Georgia. When someone down the road fell upon hard times, or when sickness beset a family, or when a hurricane or fire destroyed or damaged someone’s house, people instinctively helped in whatever way they could.
Not helping was unthinkable. Good people practiced good deeds, which helped provide for the community’s temporal needs and, in the long run, created an atmosphere that encouraged hard work, integrity, and charity among the young.
One of Justice Thomas’ central themes was leading by example and, especially appropriate coming from a man who was subjected to “an electronic lynching” by icons of moral rectitude like Joe Biden and Teddy Kennedy, refusing to succumb to the “temptation of victimhood.”
IV. Glimmers of Hope?
Taken together, the ongoing phenomenon at Asbury University and Justice Thomas’ timeless wisdom, serve as, at the very least, a ray of hope so badly — desperately? — needed in these times of despair, decline, hopelessness, and disgust at our national leadership and the wake of wreckage it is leaving in its wake.
I hope you share my opinion and I pray — fervently — that help is on the way, albeit two years away.
God Bless America!
Published in General
This post was promoted to the Main Feed by a Ricochet Editor at the recommendation of Ricochet members.
Like this post? Want to comment? Join Ricochet’s community
of conservatives and be part of the conversation. Join Ricochet for Free.
There are 19 comments.
Become a member to join the conversation. Or sign in if you're already a member.
Become a member to join the conversation. Or sign in if you're already a member.
I was greatly encouraged by the news of the 2023 Asbury revival. It sounds as if it started in a very similar way to the Asbury revival of 1970. There was a local minister here in the early 1970s who had been a student at Asbury during that revival and had a significant (not large, but significant) ministry to youth and young adults. I participated in some of those local meetings and outreaches and I believe that they have had a lasting impact on me. I hope to see this new wave of revival spread across the land. We need it.
My wife, daughter and I have been in the 24/7 prayer movement since 2008, and the news out of Asbury has been circulating among our ministry associates and friends since hours after it started. I am glad to see you reporting it here. More, Lord!
My daughter attended Asbury University (then College) from 1998 to 2002. Asbury has maintained traditional moral standards as well as sticking to ‘orthodox’ (small ‘o’) Christian doctrine. Unlike many other Methodist schools, it has not fallen for the progressive heresies which are currently dividing the United Methodist Church.
Asbury is not actually a United Methodist college and Asbury Seminary – across the street – is not a UMC seminary. Nevertheless, graduates of both are accepted by UMC conferences as if they were officially UMC. So, it is not surprising that God is using Asbury to reach this new generation of Christian young people and many others. I would not be surprised if this is the beginning of a new Great Awakening as America experienced before the American Revolution. I think it is the only solution to our cultural and political problems today.
One challenge colleges like Asbury face is finding new faculty who will support the historic mission of the school and serve as effective role-models of contemporary faithfulness. Generally these schools seek to populate their faculty with individuals who hold advanced degrees from prestigeous institutions. At the same time it is increasingly difficult for graduate students to gain admission and then complete degrees at such institutions while maintaining a vibrant Christian faith. The pool of suitable candidates for faculty opennings is a mere puddle at best. Often it is only a patch of mud.
@joelb, @hartmannvonaue, @teeger, mentioned. Thanks again for these comments, Jim
Edit note: most of the content of my comment was erased upon publication; I will start over below.
@joelb, @hartmannvonaue, @teeger mentioned. Thanks again for your comments, Jim
NOTE TO MANAGEMENT, WHOEVER THAT MIGHT BE:
This is the second time the entire content of my comment has been deleted upon publication. Might I be so direct to inquire what in the [ ] is going on? Jim George
@joelb, @hartmannvonaue, @teeger mentioned. Thanks again for your comments, Jim
(Note, I copied the last comment to be sure I would have it ready if the Great Comment Monster ate my second attempt! )
FOURTH ATTEMPT
@joelb, @hartmannvonaue, @teeger mentioned. Thanks again for your comments, Jim
FIFTH ATTEMPT, in Honor of My Icon, Sir Winston Churchill: Never give up
@joelb, @hartmannvonaue, @teeger mentioned. Thanks again for your comments, Jim
@joelb, @hartmannvonaue, @teeger mentioned. Thanks again for your comments, Jim
@joelb, @hartmannvonaue, @teeger mentioned. Thanks again for your comments, Jim
I would love to hear from y fellow Ricochetti who have gone to this revival.
Justice Thomas spoke at a graduation at the military prep school my daughter attended, Randolph-Macon Academy in Front Royal, VA. He spent hours talking to the students individually and in small groups. What a remarkable man.
Jim, thanks for the post.
I do want to comment on one small part. You wrote:
I don’t think that we’ve lost these things over the past 25 years. I think that we lost them over the 25 years before that — the 25-odd years before Justice Thomas spoke in 1998.
I think that this is important, because if we’re going to correct things, going back to 1998 isn’t going to work. The rot was already far advanced in 1998. We probably need to go back to around 1960.
@joelb,
@hartmannvonaue,
@teeger,
@daveschmidt
After some very helpful efforts by several members, I learned how to finally get this message to you so I’m sending it in this format in the hope it gets to you this time! Here it is:
Thanks again, Jim
Spoken like someone who was born around 1960.
I was there yesterday afternoon. Today the city has banned cars from entering the town. It’s overwhelmed.
Thank you for that report from the revival; much appreciated and shows how this phenomenon continues apace and is only gaining momentum apparently.
Jim, I’d like to thank you especially for bringing Asbury to my attention. I’ve been praying, I don’t know, certainly since the 2020 election, for something that includes this. I don’t know if this is it, but it greatly fans my hope for blessings to the US and for the people of the United States.