Tennent, Gilbert - Timeline Biography
Time Period
02-05-1703 - 07-23-1764
Description
Gilbert Tennent was born in Ireland and immigrated to Pennsylvania with his family in 1718. As the oldest son of Presbyterian minister William Tennent, he graduated from and became actively involved in his father’s "Log College," which trained Presbyterian ministers in America. His religious zeal led him to become an active revivalist during the First Great Awakening. Prominent revivalist George Whitefield even sought him when he arrived in the Middle Colonies, referring to Tennent as "a son of thunder."
Both his involvement in the Log College and the First Great Awakening did not please more conservative Presbyterians, or "Old Side" Presbyterians. On March 8, 1740, his famous speech entitled "The Danger of an Unconverted Ministry" denounced his critics as hypocrites akin to Pharisees. This led to the New Side/Old Side schism the following year. He later attempted to reconcile the factions, which was accomplished in 1758.
Both his involvement in the Log College and the First Great Awakening did not please more conservative Presbyterians, or "Old Side" Presbyterians. On March 8, 1740, his famous speech entitled "The Danger of an Unconverted Ministry" denounced his critics as hypocrites akin to Pharisees. This led to the New Side/Old Side schism the following year. He later attempted to reconcile the factions, which was accomplished in 1758.
Interactive Timeline(s)
Browse Related Timeline Entries
Religious Groups
Presbyterian-Reformed Family: Other ARDA LinksPresbyterian-Reformed Family: Religious Family Tree
Events
Gilbert Tennent Preaches "The Dangers of an Unconverted Ministry"Life of David Brainerd Published
Synod of 1737 and the Old Side-New Side Controversy
The First Great Awakening
The Plan of Union of 1758
William Tennent's "Log College"
Movements
The First Great AwakeningPhotographs
Gilbert Tennent portrait- Internet Archive- from Sermons and Essays by the Tennents and their Contemporaries
Book/Journal Source(s)
Reid, Daniel, Robert Linder, Bruce Shelley, and Harry Stout, 1990. Dictionary of Christianity in America Downers Grove, IL.Web Source(s)
https://www.britannica.com/biography/Gilbert-TennentGilbert Tennent's Encyclopedia Britannica Biography
Web Page Contributor
Benjamin T. GurrentzAffliated with: Pennsylvania State University, Ph.D. in Sociology
