Which preacher is associated with the "New Lights" during the First Great Awakening?

George Whitefield is the preacher most closely associated with the "New Lights" during the First Great Awakening, a religious revival that swept across the American colonies in the 18th century. As a charismatic itinerant preacher, Whitefield gained significant popularity through his dynamic preaching style and ability to connect emotionally with audiences. His sermons emphasized personal conversion and a direct relationship with God, which resonated deeply with many, leading to an increased fervor in religious beliefs and practices.

The "New Lights" were part of a movement that sought to revive and renew Christianity, contrasting with the established churches and practices of the time. Whitefield's influence helped promote the idea of individual spiritual experience over formalism and traditional church authority, contributing to the rise of various sects and a more diverse religious landscape in colonial America.

Figures like Jonathan Edwards played a critical role in the First Great Awakening as well, but he is often associated with the "Old Lights," who adhered to more traditional Calvinist views. Charles Wesley and John Winthrop contributed to other aspects of religious and civic life, but they were not central figures in the "New Light" movement during this particular revival period.