Rare is the person who wants hell to exist because they need it for themselves. We need hell as a convenient place to put all the people we hate. As an option for ourselves and our loved ones, well, hell becomes a lot less popular.
In Lynchburg they aimed to fellowship, and to reaffirm their values — but also to serve as a thorn in the side of those who promote a conservative brand of their faith that has aligned itself with President Trump.
We need an altar call that invites us into a third way and an aisle that leads us to the love of neighbor. We need a raised hand declaring the decision to live for good news that is good for all people.
Finney's revivals, as part of calling his listeners to being converted via the power of the Holy Spirit, also called them to a commitment to work for social change.
Revivalism is a very American way of responding to social crisis. The revivals of the Second Great Awakening called for conversion to Jesus that went beyond personal piety and the promise of heaven.