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The Myth of Christian America  /  MCA (13 of 14): Faith of the Founding Fathers #3  /  Discussion Questions
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Question 6
Franklin recounts being emotionally moved by Whitefield into giving away his entire pocket of money, yet says Whitefield prayed for his conversion and “never had the satisfaction of seeing his prayers answered”; what does this story suggest about persuasion, spiritual influence, and the difference between being affected by Christian ministry and actually surrendering to Christ?
Another way to ask: Franklin was moved by Whitefield’s preaching and gave away all his money, but he never became a Christian. What does this show about the difference between being emotionally influenced by ministry and truly surrendering to Christ?

Direct Answer Franklin’s story shows a person can be deeply influenced—emotionally and even financially—by Christian preaching while still not converting, highlighting the difference between persuasion and true surrender to Christ.

Support from Transcript:

  • Franklin describes Whitefield’s “extraordinary influence” and the town’s change: people grew religious and “one could not walk…without hearing psalms sung.”
  • On the offering: Franklin planned to give nothing, then decided on copper, then silver, and finally “emptied my entire pocket…gold and all.”
  • He credits Whitefield’s “eloquence” having “a wonderful power over the hearts and purses,” including his own.
  • Yet Franklin reports plainly: Whitefield “used to pray for my conversion, but he never had the satisfaction of seeing his prayers answered.”
  • Their relationship remained “a mere civil friendship,” and Franklin even refused spiritual framing: offering lodging was “not for Christ’s sake, but for your sake.”
  • Bercot concludes Franklin “never seemed to have actually surrendered his life to Jesus Christ.”
Discussion Follow-ups What kinds of “religious” responses might be real but still fall short of conversion? How can Christian ministry aim beyond momentary impact to calling for genuine surrender?

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