Altar Calls

[Bondman]

When did the phenomenon of altar calls begin? Does anybody know? Was it before the 50's?

 

[MrMerlin777]

My understanding is that it began with Finney but I'm not certain of that.

 

[LadyFlynt]

Yes, I believe it was in the revivals of the 19th century (?)

 

[Herald]

My understanding is that it began with Finney but I'm not certain of that.

I believe you're right. Finney had his "anxious seat" where the gospel was presented in a coercive manner. It lead to the altar call.

 

[caddy]

1820s & 30s ruffly speaking....

 

[VirginiaHuguenot]

What has already been said is quite correct that Finney popularized the phenomenon which became the altar call by initiating the 'anxious' or 'mourners' bench.' Asahel Nettleton opposed this technique. D.L. Moody later employed the 'inquiry room'; Billy Sunday's approach is known as the 'sawdust trail'; and Billy Graham really made the 'altar call' famous.

For some further study, probably the best book on the subject is The Altar Call: Its Origins and Present Usage (2000) by David M. Bennett.

There is a good bibliography on the subject here.

Altar Calls in the First 1800 Years of the Church

In Defense of Refusing to Heed an Altar Call

Closing With Christ

Decisional Regeneration