The revival that took place in the mid-to late-1960s, on the island of Timor, Indonesia, was one of the most controversial revivals that has occurred in the 20th century. In spite of the controversy, the renowned revival historian and Baptist minister, J. Edwin Orr, stated
But questioning or discrediting the more sensational reports has not invalidated the corroborated accounts of an unusual evangelical awakening on Timor.
Our complete post of the 1965 Timor Revival can be found with this link.
Dr. Kurt E. Koch
WHY THE CONTROVERSY?
►Some of the reported miracles appeared to have been embellished, or outright fabrications, as they couldn’t be authenticated due to the distance and difficulty of reaching the locations where they were said to have occurred (Timor has inhospitable terrain, and in the 1960s, had very poor or no roads.).
►Cessationist George W. Peters and liberal leaning theologian Frank L. Cooley visited Timor after the revival occurred to write their report / book about it. Their writings undermined and discredited many of the miracles. However, the German theologian Dr. Kurt Koch, who himself was a “moderate cessationist,” wrote in his book, Revival in Indonesia, that he had been an eye-witness to several of the miracles, miracles which George W. Peters adamantly claims didn’t happen.
►The strong bias in George W. Peters’ book Indonesia in Revival is very noticeable when one views the bibliography. The book that appears to have several embellished stories, Like a Mighty Wind by Mel Tari, and that was written with a strong Pentecostal slant, is listed in Peters’ book as “Lie A Mighty Wind,” instead of using its real title: “Like a Mighty Wind.”
George W. Peters’ book was very academic and well-written, yet it was unfortunate, and unnecessary, for him to take an amateurish jab at the author of the book, Mel Tari.
►The Timor revival was underway when The Jesus Movement started in the USA. Many of the mainline denominations and Catholic churches were experiencing a Charismatic Renewal beginning in 1967. That renewal movement sent shock waves across the United States, and then with the arrival of Mel Tari’s book in 1971, more fuel was thrown on the Charismatic Renewal fire.
Mel Tari
►Many pastors on Timor stood at the sideline watching the revival taking place. They either denounced the revival or they distanced themselves from it with their silence.
►The hierarchy of the Christian Evangelical Church in Timor (denomination of the church where the revival began) unenthusiastically endorsed the revival and gave it little to no support.
►The two pastors of the church where the revival began were torn between the different theological persuasions, all the while trying to keep the revival movement surging forward.
Sources
Indonesia Revival: by George Peters
Like a Mighty Wind by Mel Tari and Cliff Dudley
Revival in Indonesia Part 1 by Kurt Koch
Revival in Indonesia Part 2 by Kurt Koch
Return to List of Revival Stories
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