About the Book
A Burning and Shining Light is a comprehensive, modern-day biography of George Whitefield, the Great Awakening Evangelist. Chronological in nature, its emphasis is on his travel, preaching, and influence on two continents. Nelson's intent is to expand the reader's understanding of Whitefield's ministry to its influence today, by bringing the reader into Whitefield's era. The reader will observe the events of his life, participating in Whitefield's passion for ministry, as well as his joys and sorrows. An evaluation of Whitefield's influence is given in the last two chapters. The book is laden with references from other biographies and books about Whitefield. The biography regards the time in which he lived, comparing it to today's time, by evaluating his inward motivations and influences that made him one of the greatest preachers in the History of Christianity.
Readers who are interested in early history of the American colonies and the history of one of the greatest dramatic preachers of all time will appreciate this look into what made evangelism what it is today. It's appeal to pastors, students, and leaders who need a magnificent model of perseverance and overcoming obstacles.
Students of evangelism will be intrigued by the origin of effective mass evangelism methods. Theologians and believers interested in the struggle between Calvinism and Arminianism will profit from the history of this doctrinal controversy with Wesley.
The passive observer who knows nothing about Whitefield can be enlightened to an almost unbelievable legacy of Whitefield's impact on people in a day with so many limitations on travel, communication, and expansion. The impact is a legacy of one who rose out from small beginnings to leave a tremendous example for others to follow.
About the Author :
Dan holds the Master of Divinity degree from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary in New Orleans, Louisiana, a Ph. D. degree from California Graduate School of Theology in Glendale, California, and the Doctor of Ministry degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas. Dan Nelson has served as pastor of First Baptist Church of Camarillo, California, in the greater Los Angeles area for the last 33 years after previously serving as pastor of First Baptist Church Burney and Seminary Baptist Church. Dan has served as Associate to the Evangelism Director in the Northwest Baptist Convention for two years and has also worked as an evangelist through the California Baptist Convention in Fresno on student-led revival teams. Dan has preached in over 40 evangelistic meetings and revivals in his ministry. Dan has been active in the Southern Baptist Convention denominational structure, serving on the Board of Trustees at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas, and as National Alumni Chairman for New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary in New Orleans, Louisiana. Dan is a regular contributor to SBC Today as well as an active contributor to other blog sites and publications. He has been married to his wife Janice for 42 years. They have two daughters, Krista and Kimberly, Dan is a regular contributor to SBC Today as well as an active contributor to other blog sites and publications. He is an avid bicyclist and an instructor in indoor cycling (spin class) at several local gyms. A Burning and Shining Light: The Testimony and Witness of George Whitefield is Dan's third book and is the product of many years of research and development in presenting the most recent comprehensive historical record of Whitefield's ministry. Baptist Revival: Reaffirming Baptist Principles in Today's Changing Church Scene was Dan's first book followed by Game On All the Time: Growing up in the Home of a Legendary Football Coach: L. R. Nelson.
Review :
A truly great life. I love the rich insights into Whitefield's personality and opinions. Whitefield had an amazing gift for proclaiming the Word of God with tremendous passion and power--even in the most hostile environments. As a result, he was enormously influential in his generation, and he left a long-lasting mark on the culture of both the United Kingdom and America. Evangelicals in the current generation desperately need to rediscover Whitefield and imbibe a fresh dose of his faith and his love for the Word of God.
--John MacArthur Pastor, Author, President, The Master's Seminary
George Whitefield is a towering figure in the story of evangelical Christianity. Knowing his life is essential for understanding the roots of modern evangelism. Dan Nelson has done a superb job of bringing a man to life that you will enjoy getting to know. As you read this book, you will understand why those who come to know his story yearn for him to be widely known among those who follow Jesus today. Yes, one life truly can make an enormous difference in the world.
--Chuck Kelley, President New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary
George Whitefield is among the premier examples in Christendom of how a preacher ought to live. Now Dan Nelson has brought this fabled preacher back to life. No one can read this volume and remain unchanged.
--Paige Patterson President, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary
George Whitefield was the most powerful preacher of Awakening in Britain and America, yet he remains strangely forgotten today, even by many evangelical Christians. There are signs of an evangelical recovery of Whitefield, however, and I hope that Pastor Dan Nelson's book will introduce many readers to this great luminary of the eighteenth-century revivals.
--Thomas S. Kidd, Professor of History, Baylor University
Through Dan Nelson's clear and edifying portrait of George Whitefield, readers will be stirred as they encounter Whitefield's life, ministry, vision, and evangelistic burden.
--Chris Morgan, Dean and Professor of Theology School of Christian Ministries, California Baptist University
The story of George Whitefield is one that every generation of the church needs to hear afresh, and that because of its power to remind us of the glory and power of the great God of the eighteenth-century evangelist. Dan Nelson has written a popular account of Whitefield's incredible life and ministry, laying it out in strict chronological order, and showing us clearly how God used this man in the hurly-burly of his day. Running through his narrative is a passion for the very same thing Whitefield knew and experienced: heaven-sent revival. May this book be a means to such an end!
--Michael A. G. Haykin, Professor of Church History & Biblical Spirituality The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, KY
This compelling biography of the premier evangelist of the English language, George Whitefield, is a priceless treasure for the church. Here is a well-researched, concisely-written account of one of history's most prolific figures, the "Grand Itinerant" who ignited flames of revival on both sides of the Atlantic. The life and ministry of Whitefield is one of the most remarkable stories you will ever read and is sure to inspire you. These pages, I believe, will stir your spiritual blood and move you to action for the cause of Christ.
--Steven J. Lawson, President of One Passion Ministries, Preaching professor in the masters and doctoral programs, The Master's Seminary
