Haunted Heresies

Located in the western and central regions of New York State, the flames of the Second Great Awakening set the region on fire with new religious fervor, fiery revelations and preaching. It was in this unique area that several modern religious sects were birthed, bathed in the flames of revivalism and apocalypticism. From the Quakers and the Shakers to prophets and "messiahs", from Mormons and Masons, to ghosts, psychics, spirits and Ouija boards, this land produced some of the most interesting and downright bizarre spiritual movements that still impact American culture today. How does a Bible-believing Christian view these movements? The reality is that the revivals of the Second Great Awakening were in response to the First Great Awakening - that grand spiritual revival that took England and America by storm in the 1730's and 1740's. Jonathan Edwards, George Whitefield and others declared the Biblical Gospel with power. They emphasized man's inability to save himself and his need for salvation by grace alone, through faith alone in Jesus Christ alone. The Holy Spirit of God moved throughout the lands, converting souls, saving men by the power of Jesus Christ and not by the works of the flesh. This book will analyze the history of the Burned-Over District, its revivals, cults and occultism from a Christian, sovereign grace perspective. It will tie these movements together, explain their errors, and show that religious comprise on the sovereign grace of God is directly responsible for these movements.