On November 12, 2014, Westminster Theological Seminary celebrated the 300th anniversary of George Whitefield’s birth (born Dec. 27, 1714). In honor of him, Rev. Dr. Carl Trueman delivered a lecture entitled ” George Whitefield: Preacher, Celebrity, Saint.”
"George Whitefield: Preacher, Celebrity, Saint" Lecture by Carl Trueman from Westminster Theological Seminary on Vimeo.
Why do we spend our time celebrating Men? Does the Holy Spirit celebrate men, or does He point to Christ? Shall we spend our time congratulating each other and Christian men who’ve lived in the past? There is no question that there have been great saints who’ve stood the ground of truth with God’s help. All the credit goes to God, not to the man. Paul had the proper perspective on this regarding himself. We say Sola Scriptura, and we may believe it intellectually, but out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.
One of our human failings is to lean toward the flesh which results in Man centered theology / thinking. I don’t think we need extra help to head in this direction. The bible nips this tendency in the bud, and so it’s where I for one will want to focus.
It is the Bible that tells us to give respect and honor to those to whom it is due (Romans 13:7). I honor George Whitefield as a man whom God used in extraordinarily remarkable ways to point many to Christ. To read of his life and ministry stirs my soul very deeply to be more like Christ and to be used by Him in greater ways.