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American History Mondays with Dr. Richard Bell: The Great Awakening
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The Great Awakening was a major revitalization of Christian faith and practice that swept through the American colonies in the 1700s. It marks the moment at which new faiths began to compete with Puritanism, Anglicanism, and Quakerism for the hearts and minds of American colonists.
But how did it happen—and why? What were preachers like Jonathan Edwards and his Baptist and Methodist competitors saying about heaven and hell, about this world and the world to come? What recruitment strategies did they use to try to grow their denominations? Why did so many Americans respond to them so emphatically? More importantly, what were the consequences of the Great Awakening? What was at stake? Why does it matter today?
Dr. Richard Bell is Professor of History at the University of Maryland. He holds a PhD from Harvard University and has won more than a dozen teaching awards, including the University System of Maryland Board of Regents Faculty Award for Excellence in Teaching. He has held major research fellowships at Yale, Cambridge, the Library of Congress and is the recipient of the Andrew Carnegie Fellowship and the National Endowment of the Humanities Public Scholar Award. Professor Bell is author of the new book "Stolen: Five Free Boys Kidnapped into Slavery and their Astonishing Odyssey Home," which was shortlisted for the George Washington Prize and the Harriet Tubman Prize.
This conversation is suitable for all ages.
90 minutes, including a 30 minute Q&A.
Will definitely participate again in this series. Dr. Bell is a good presenter, excellent images illustrating the topic discussed. A very pleasant hour of learning and discussion with curious minds.
A particularly interesting topic for us that can trace our religious background to the Methodists. I had very little idea about the history of John Wesley. As my maternal ancestors were from Kentucky - I see why they were Methodists.
Fascinating presentation. My husband and I both felt this was the most interesting presentation we have seen from Context Travel. Dr Bell was engaging and informative. We both appreciated his teaching approach which was interactive. This was an exceptional class.
We plan to enjoy other seminars from Dr Bell.
Another excellent American History Monday session, this time on the first Great Awakening by Dr. Bell. In this session Dr. Bell discusses religious movements in the 1700s (specifically Baptist and Methodist) that competed with the established religious traditions in the colonies. The breadth of his knowledge amazes me; no matter what questions are asked, he is able to provide extensive answers; he also suggests resources for those who are interested in exploring topics in greater depth. I'm looking forward to his session on the second Great Awakening!
This was a fascinating look at the beginnings of religious institutions that became fundamental to US culture and politics, and remain so to this day, Dr. Bell was on point as always not just with his expertise but with his sense of humor, charm, and engagement with the seminar participants.