Whitefield on the Christian Life
Whitefield on the Christian Life: New Birth to Enjoy God by Tom Schwanda and Ian Maddock, offers a compelling and richly detailed portrait of George Whitefield’s life and spiritual legacy.
This thoughtful volume explores Whitefield’s theology, with particular emphasis on his Calvinist convictions and his belief that true faith must reside both in the head and the heart. Central to his message is the doctrine of the new birth, which echoes powerfully throughout the book.
One of the most edifying parts for me was reading about Whitefield’s principles for studying Scripture. He approached the Bible with deep reverence and gave his readers practical guidance for how to do the same. Although I was already familiar with Whitefield’s reputation as a dramatic preacher, this book deepened my understanding by placing that drama within the context of his theatrical background, the open-air setting of many of his sermons, and his extemporaneous preaching style.
Honest and Inspiring
What sets this biography apart is its honest and balanced portrayal of Whitefield, including his shortcomings. A full chapter is devoted to his relationship with slavery and his role in the formation of Black evangelicalism—offering a sobering, necessary reflection on this part of his legacy. Whitefield’s marriage to Elizabeth James comes across as perfunctory and emotionally distant. He also wrestled with pride and was instrumental in popularizing para-church ministries and the early form of celebrity preaching.
Even so, I found myself inspired by his tireless zeal for preaching and evangelism. The book refers to Whitefield as the “entrepreneurial evangelist,” highlighting his relentless travel schedule, his constant preaching, prolific publishing, and wide-ranging correspondence. I resonate with that “preach and print” strategy—though in my case, the “printing” happens through digital platforms.
This biography was a joy to read—insightful, inspiring, and spiritually challenging. George Whitefield remains a fascinating figure of the faith.
I received a media copy of Whitefield on the Christian Life and this is my honest review. Find more of my book reviews and follow Dive In, Dig Deep on Instagram - my account dedicated to Bibles and books to see the beauty of the Bible and the role of reading in the Christian life. To read all of my book reviews and to receive all of the free eBooks I find on the web, subscribe to my free newsletter.