Concept of Revitalization
In the middle of the last century Anthony F. C. Wallace deveolped the concept of "Revitalization Movements." Here are a few of his ideas:
"A revitalization movement is defined as a deliberate, organized, conscious effort by members of a society to construct a more satisfying culture. Revitalization is thus, from a cultural standpoint, a special kind of culture change phenomenon: the persons involved in the process of revitalization must perceive their culture, or some major areas of it, as a system (whether accurately or not); they must feel that this cultural system is unsatisfactory; and they must innovate not merely discrete items, but a new cultural system, specifying new relationships as well as, in some cases, new traits."
"...Cultures can change within one generation; and the process...is the revitalization process."
"The term 'revitalization' implies an organismic analogy."
"Stress is defined as a condition in which some part, or the whole, of the social organism is threatened with more or less serious damage."
"'Messianic Movements' emphasize the participation of a divine savior in human flesh in the mazeway transformation."
The presence of these movements are seen throughout history. Even the Scriptures make reference to language and events that are Revitalistic in nature.
Isaiah 30:19-23
vs. 21, "...the is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left."
In the 1950s the historian and anthropologist Anthony F. C. Wallace coined the term "revitalization movements" to explain some particular historical phenomena that have taken place in the past, and cccording to Wallace, revitalization movements have specific identifiers:
A) When a culture has reached its lowest point a prophet/statesman will arise to help the people gain what has been lost.
B) This leader makes a plea and call to return to the conservative and fundamentalist ideas of the past.
C) The result is the formation of a religious method that renews the culture and continues to grow even after the prophet dies.
Examples:
a) Handsome Lake, the Seneca Prophet (1799), called for an end on reliance of European goods, and a return to traditional ways
b) Jonathan Edwards preached "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God" at a normal tone of voice at a wicked and perverse time in New England and universal repentance erupted in the audience
c) John Wesly and his methodism was a call to renewed holiness
d) Jesus Christ formed a new method that hearkened back to the principles and spirit of the Old Testament (i.e. Golden Rule) and boldly declared, "I am the way, the truth, and the life..." (John 14:6)
Jeremiah 6:16, "...stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein."
Deuteronomy 5:32, "...ye shall not turn aside to the right hand or to the left."
Dr. J. Neslon, president of Parkersburg Bible College, teaches that there are Four Fundamentals of our Faith:
1) Our Dogma is the message of One God, with emphasis on the mighty God in Christ.
2) Our Duty is to Love God, others, and ourselves.
3) Our Discipline is to study the Word of God.
4) Our Method is uniting and balancing the Word of God with the Spirit.
In today's society it is vitally that we continue to move forward without letting loose of core faith values. This can only take place when each generation of Oneness Pentecostals has a first generation experience, which, I think, will continue the march of revitalization and revival in our movement and the world. The Apostolic Movement is more than a subculture. It is a counter-culture - - a new culture based on the teachings of our Messiah.
