Charles Grandison Finney, often called the Father of Modern Revivalism, was a force of spiritual awakening in 19th-century America. A former lawyer turned preacher, Finney didn’t just speak sermons—he shook souls. His boldness, deep conviction, and fiery passion for holiness and transformation left an indelible mark on the Second Great Awakening and beyond.
Here are 15 of his most powerful and convicting quotes that still stir hearts today:
1.
“Revival is nothing else than a new beginning of obedience to God.”
Short, sharp, and deeply true—this one captures Finney’s revival theology in a sentence.
2.
“A revival always includes conviction of sin on the part of the Church. Backslidden Christians cannot wake up and begin right away in the service of God without deep searchings of heart.”
Finney didn’t play. He reminded the church that revival starts within, not out there.
3.
“The Church must humble herself before God and pray for a revival, and mean it, too.”
No revival comes from lukewarm hearts. Finney called the church to serious repentance.
4.
“God cannot sustain this free and blessed country which we love and pray for unless the Church will take right ground.”
He saw clearly: moral decay in a nation begins with spiritual decay in the church.
5.
“A state of mind that sees God in everything is evidence of growth in grace and a thankful heart.”
Finney had a deeply God-saturated view of the world, and he wanted believers to share it.
6.
“There can be no revival when Mr. Amen and Mr. Wet-Eyes are not found in the audience.”
Translation? Real revival brings heartfelt agreement and real tears of repentance.
7.
“A revival is as much a work of the preacher as of the Holy Spirit.”
Controversial? Maybe. But Finney was a man of action, calling preachers to stop waiting and start working.
8.
“No one can be indifferent to the truth and be saved.”
You had to respond to the Gospel. Finney preached for decisions.
9.
“The Spirit of God leads men to speak out and act boldly in the cause of Christ.”
Silence wasn’t an option in Finney’s view of the Spirit-filled life.
10.
“The great business of the Church is to reform the world—to put away every kind of sin.”
He didn’t separate spiritual revival from social reform. Finney was also an abolitionist and reformer.
11.
“If the presence of God is in the church, the church will draw the world in. If the presence of God is not in the church, the world will draw the church out.”
Mic drop. Finney was calling out cultural compromise before it was cool.
12.
“Unless I had the spirit of prayer, I could do nothing.”
All his thunder in the pulpit was soaked in deep, earnest prayer.
13.
“When sinners are careless and stupid, and sinking into hell unconcerned, it is time the Church should bestir themselves.”
He had no patience for spiritual apathy—especially when eternity was on the line.
14.
“The Holy Spirit is the author of all revival.”
He always pointed back to God, even when urging human responsibility.
15.
“Preach the Gospel boldly. If you don’t, the devil will.”
Finney understood the stakes: silence is not neutral.
Final Thoughts
Charles Finney wasn’t interested in comfortable Christianity. His preaching lit fires, stirred cities, and called people to radical transformation. His words still echo through history with urgency, conviction, and unshakable hope for a church ablaze with the presence of God.
