3 comments about The Theology of John Wesley: Holy Love and the Shape of Grace.

1. Here is an engaging text that readers will find helpful not only in obtaining a better grasp of Wesley's theology but also in understanding how that theology is relevant, in a very practical way, to their own lives and culture. The book employs an eighteenth century lens (Wesley's own thought), but then it transitions to the twenty-first century as well. The "Today and Tomorrow" sections at the end of each chapter are outstanding. I especially appreciate the manner in which Collins thoughtfully engages various interpretations of Wesley's theology and the evidence he presents from Wesley's own writings to support his conclusions. While this book is definitely written on a scholarly level, the author's appealing style of writing makes it accessible to readers of many backgrounds. The Theology of John Wesley: Holy Love and the Shape of Grace is an excellent resource for anyone who desires to know both the form and substance of Wesley's theology as well as its ongoing significance. Holy love really is at the heart of it all.



2. The problem and importance of creating a Theology of John Wesley is that Wesley left us no Systematic Theology to study. His theology is found in his sermons, letters, notes and various treatises'. The present work succeeds is organizing Wesley's views on various topics in a useful manner. In such an endeavor, the bias of the writer must be viewed and weighed against the source material from which the writer draws his material. Fortunately, Wesley's writings are all readily available and delightful to read such that students will enjoy studying the source material along with this important book.
   
   It is important, in my opinion that any student wishing to understand Wesley should not rely on a book such as this regardless of its qualities. Rather, "The Theology of John Wesley" should serve as a guide to Wesley's writings and be read alongside of them rather than in their stead. Wesley's concepts are quite fluid at times and evolved over time and a full understanding of Wesley can only come from reading the material first hand as it developed and evolved and in its historic context.
   
   Unlike a systematic theology that seeks to define and answer all if not most theological issues, this is a book about John Wesley's theology which was more focussed and certainly not systematic or comprehensive. It is not, therefore, a substitute for the study of classic systematic theology. Wesley's goal in life was not to produce a systematic theology but to come to a personal understanding of God and our relationship to Him and as important, to save souls through preaching and creating a vehicle for evangelism called Methodism. Therefore, Wesley's theology was living, breathing, theoretical and applied whose singular thrust was for salvation of all.
   
   Dr. Collins writes lucidly and I believe he fairly interprets Wesley's viewpoints on the issues raised in the book. There are some areas that are not as clearly presented as we would expect in a systematic theology. An example is God's relationship to man and the Moral Law. The apparent lack of clarity may reflect Wesley more than Dr. Collins. Furthermore, the text does not always bring into discussion other theological views which may be in contrast or augment that of Wesley unless vital to Wesley's argument. An example is the discussion of how sin entered the world. The Augustine view of evil being the privation of good is an example. Wesley's assertion that Satan introduced sin into the world must be read in context of Augustine lest we fall into the trap of making God the author of Sin. The author's conclusion may better be stated: "that Satan and unregenerate man are depraved and the vehicles through which sin is worked out in creation." Satan, as a created being, is part of creation and therefore could not have created sin de novo. Regardless, the reader must remember that these are Wesley's views and should familiarize him/herself with the full repertoire of historical and current lines of thought.
   
   I believe that the student wishing to understand Wesley will find this book an excellent teacher and guide, a resource to be read and reread as Wesley's original material is primarily studied.
   
   I am glad that a solitary text cannot substitute for reading Wesley. It would be tragic and a great loss for students to miss the joy and blessing of reading Wesley.
   
   Finally, Dr. Collins draws much from Wesley's great sermon "The Image of God" which is not available in all collections of Wesley's sermons and, to the best of my knowledge, not available on line. This one sermon, this gem, contains much Wesley was to offer. It is published in the "John Wesley's Sermons: An Anthology" edited by Outler.



3. Ken Collins has written another Wesleyan book with new information and facts. Easy to read and interesting. A great addition to Wesley's theology.

4 comments about Yours Are the Hands of Christ: The Practice of Faith.

1. This must be a heavenly-inspired book. It's written in such a down-to-earth style for the average ordinary human. Howell tells us the stories of a man who was born 2000 years ago and makes us fall in love with this crazy radical called Jesus. He shows examples from those "saintly" lives like St. Francis and Mother Theresa and Augustine and Martin Luther as well as many, many others who believe 100% that Jesus is the Son of God and how it has transformed their lives. They believe Christ lives within them... and thus their hands do Jesus' work-which is that of loving and taking care of all those around us.

   In the self-absorbed century we just left, we have very much gotten away from helping our fellow man, haven't we? Howell suggests that perhaps we are just all too full of "stuff and things and material possessions". We need to get involved....to develop hearts that are impassioned for mankind.

   If you belong to one of those "tight Christian social clubs" where everyone in your church is homogeneous and you emphasize in reach more than out reach, this book is a much-needed wake-up call for you. Read and absorb... We are all mortals who will face that judgment day. How empty-handed are you?

   "We are put on earth a little space, that we may learn to bear the beams of love"-a thought-provoking quote by Wm Blake. What a perfect read to begin the year 2000.




2. I grew up with James C. Howell. In fact, he's my brother. I read this book and thought - how in the heck did my kid brother write this? I mean, I love my brother and I've always thought he was smart, but ...this book is inspired! It made my hands tingle. It opened my mind as to the limitless things I could do that would be an extension of Jesus.
   James is non-judgemental. He simply presents what he feels is the love of Jesus through other people in the ways they touch, heal, teach, or feed others. Who are these other people? Mother Teresa, for one - but my dirt poor grandfather is in there, as well as other "plain ole folks" that I've never had the privilege to know.
   James tells you how to be one of those who make a difference.
   Now, keep in mind that James is a minister. I would not call myself religious by any stretch, and yet - this book calls out to me in a way that no other ever has - and perhaps, never will.



3. This is a very beautiful work. James Howell takes us on a brief journey to discover how Christ's Hands are now are Hands, using all that Jesus did with his hands : Heal, Consol, teach, and, yes, die. This work would be a nice accompaniment with other more in depth works for devotional study. This is recommended to anyone regardless of where they are in their Walk with God.



4. One women's study group is using this book. They like it so much, a men's Renovare group and another Sunday School class are both planning on studying it also.

3 comments about The New Creation: John Wesley's Theology Today.

1. This is an invaluable book for anyone who is serious about learning Methodist doctrine. Dr. Runyon provides a clear exposition of John Wesley's and the Church's understanding of critical theological views such as justification, salvation and sanctification. For those who question the once-saved-always-saved theology and are searching for assurance, this book is a must read. It also provides a true picture of what the Church of Jesus Christ should look like.



2. Without a shadow of a doubt, this is the definative study of the theology of John Wesley currently in print. Runyon's treatment of Wesley's soteriology is thorough and balanced, but offers wise reflections on the meaning of Wesley's thought for Methodists and Wesleyans of today. Highly recommended for anyone interested in the theological foundations of the people called Methodists.



3. Systematic Theology Professor Theodore Runyon offers a final 20th century look while proposing an initial 21st century glance at John Wesley with his 1998 book "The New Creation". In 270 pages, with six instructive chapters, he reviews Wesley's theologies of God's creation, renewal of the Image of God, transforming grace, the means of grace, the religious experience, and John Wesley's emerging 21st century use.
   
   Runyon begins his discussion with a re-statement of the via salutis (the way of salvation). He properly understands that holiness is the final "trusting...mark [which] is created in our hearts by... action of God" (page 55). The following chapters then discuss each aspect of the via with regards to God's saving activity through grace (regeneration, transformation, sanctification, perfection, etc.). The author identifies Wesley's most popular ("Means of Grace", chapter 4) and most controversial ("Entire Sanctification", pages 91-101) doctrines and analyses each with precision.
   
   Professor Runyon helpfully reviews Wesley's objections to the ancient mystics, his quarrel with the "antinomians" (the save by grace alone crowd), his confrontation with "quietism" ("holiness is not an avoidance of the world but a challenge to it", page 113), and his life-long argument with predestinarianism. Readers learn that Wesley "affirmed infant baptism and even baptismal regeneration" (page 140). He understands that Christian experience is "the medium through which reality is transmitted" which is founded in orthodoxy (right belief), orthopraxy (right practice) and orthopathy (right feeling). Runyon correctly suggests that for Mr. Wesley "Scripture remains the standard by which feelings are to judged" (page 154).
   
   Runyon's text is 21st century emergent Wesleyan theology. His scholarship is unmistakable (with 24 pages of authoritative endnotes and eight pages of selected bibliography). This text is recommended to all members of the Wesleyan family (Methodists, Pentecostals, Nazarenes, Free Will Baptists, etc.).

No comments about United Methodist Beliefs: A Brief Introduction.

No comments about United Methodism in America: A Compact History.

4 comments about Yes Lord I Have Sinned but I Have Several Excellent Excuses: But I Have Several Excellent Excuses With Study Guide (Behind the Pages).

1. Moore offers scripture-based suggestions on how to redirect our reactions to others; to be more Christ-like in our responses.



2. My church just began a Class for new adults and we chose this book to start us off. We were not disappointed. It helped us realize the small things we do in our everyday life that lead us astray.



3. This item is typically $100. I had preordered at $12, thinking that it probably wasn't the planning kit that I was expecting; however, it was the full planning kit with the DVD, Pastor's Book, Leader's Book, and a Participant Book.



4. The book doesn't back up the title...With a catchy title such as this, one would expect content that would deal with some of our excuses for our shortcomings and failures...It does for the first chapter or so, but then falls into the routine of regular preaching from the parables.
   
   Had hoped for more out of this book, but, sadly, it doesn't deliver...
   
   Not bad, sometimes pretty good, but the title is very misleading.

1 comments about Christian Ethics: A Historical Introduction.

1. In his book "Christian Ethics: An historical introduction", Wogaman journeys through Christian history, tracing the major developments of Christian-ethical throught. The journey starts with the ethics of Socrates, exploring ancient ethical dilemmas, proving that these issues are just as relevant as modern issues such as abortion, AIDS and models of mission.

   This is a definite book to buy if you are a Theological student and will prove to be helpful in any subject within Theology.

4 comments about John Wesley (Library of Protestant Thought).

1. Outler has a thorough knowledge of Wesley's life, teachings, and impact. He does more than present a summary of that, but he gives insight as well. One of the greatest is of Wesley's grasp of both Protestant and Catholic theologies, that creates something new (or old, i.e. in the 'primitive' church).



2. This is a good collection of Wesley passages into nice categories. The passages chosen are from a wide range of sources and of time periods in Wesley's life. However, the book is 98% Wesley. The editors let Wesley speak for himself on lots of issues. While this is nice to a certain extent, some direction following each passage would've been good. It's nice to have some analysis with this kind of work. At the end, there's a handy reference of the passages used, and at the end of every chapter (category), there's a list of supplementary resources if you're interested in reading more. I'd highly recommend this book. Some very interesting and worthwhile reading here.



3. This book is very readable and provides great insight into the life and thought of the founder of Methodism, John Wesley. The editor does an excellent job with introductions and footnotes. I thoroughly enjoyed it.



4. For those of us who follow in the footsteps of John Wesley in our theological heritage (mine being Arminian), I have grown to love the works of John Wesley. Sadly, much of what comes from the United Methodist Church here in the United States is liberal and very bias against John Wesley. Too often liberal Methodist try to either misrepresent the teachings of Wesley or they deny what he taught such as inerrancy.
   
   That is why you need this book. While this book is a collection of the writings and teachings of Wesley, the book itself is a very indepth analysis of Wesley's teachings. In the book you will not only see his evangelical teachings such as justification by faith but also his Arminian teachings as well against the Calvinist of his day. Wesley's arguments can still be used today against Calvinism.
   
   My only reason for not giving this a five star rating was that a short work such as this can-not cover John Wesley or his teachings. While this work tries to do so, it simply is not a full view of what Arminians, Wesleyans, or John Wesley himself truly believe. However, this is still a must read for every serious theological student.

2 comments about Listening for the Soul: Pastoral Care and Spiritual Direction (Integrating Spirituality Into Pastoral Counseling).

1. This book by Jean Stairs addresses a need in pastoral care and ministry - the attentiveness to the soul that so many people, ministers and laypersons alike, can find the love, support and care they seek in church and community. 'The world is crying out for the church to be more like the church,' Stairs states in her introduction, 'to represent the space and place where holiness, meaning, and God can be found, experienced, understood and reimagined.' This book is written largely for a Protestant audience, although there are insights to be gained by those who are Anglican, Roman Catholic and Orthodox (and, to a lesser extent, some from outside the Christian realm, although the book is primarily written for an internal Christian audience).
   
   Stairs highlights the loss in Protestant circles of many of the spiritual aspects still honoured and available in the more liturgical churches - ideas of spiritual direction and other structures are still present there, but Protestant theology and practice views them with suspicion, for various reasons. One is the distrust of anything that moves away from a sense of sola scriptora or Christ-alone kinds of theologies. Another is a fascination with mainstream psychology and a misplaced trust in the idea of therapeutic cures being substitutes for spiritual care and direction. However, people still yearn for spiritual care and fulfillment.
   
   Part of this can be done in the actual practice of spirituality beyond the usual course of study - it isn't enough simply to read about spiritual practices, but rather one must incorporate these and do them. At my seminary, first-year students were expected to take a course that would cover in brief a successive selection of Christian spiritual practices; many students would come to seminary not only with having nothing outside of their own denomination as experience, but sometimes with nothing outside of their own congregation. There were always those students who found the course a waste of time - these were invariably the ones who read through the material, but never actually worked through the practices. However, for many if not most students, it was an awakening to the different ways of being authentically Christian in practice that can be incorporated into already existing theological and historical frameworks.
   
   Stairs' text shows many different ways of incorporating spiritual practices. I notice the word 'listen' a lot in her text, both in titles and the body of the essays - the word 'Listen' is the first word of the Benedictine rule, one of the time-honoured practices in Christian history. Stairs incorporates the idea of spirituality and spiritual practice into everyday life and work, into family and individual processes, into formal life events, and into church and worship experiences.
   
   The case study in the appendix is a wonderful postscript to Stairs' development of ideas. It recounts the experience of two women who founded a Sunday school programme, who shortly thereafter contracted cancer; one lived, and the other died. How does one deal with this kind of situation? Where is the attentiveness to the soul going to take place in the midst of this kind of happening? Stairs' gentle spirit covers it well.
   
   This is a wonderful book - it is a must read for ministers, clergy and lay, who provide pastoral care and spiritual care for people in their community, and for anyone who wants to heighten his or her sensitivity to the connections and the differences in pastoral care and spiritual direction, and how these can be applied to one's own life.



2. This is an amazing, reflective, practical resource for pastors. A must have for those just beginning and those seeking refreshment. Stairs is realistic and challenging. Excellent!

5 comments about Methodist Doctrine: The Essentials.

1. This is a well organized and factually based book on the Methodist doctrine. Being a Methodist for more than 35 years, I have never had a clear idea as to what Methodists really believe. This book has cleared up many misconceptions that I have had over the years and is strengthening my faith in the UMC. A good resource for both students and laypersons!



2. This book is small and isn't one inch thick! It is concise yet thorough. It is easy to read and has excellent explanations on Methodist doctrine. Highly Recommended!!



3. It would do this fine little volume an injustice to call it "The Book of Discipline Lite" but it does do a fine job of summarizing the big volume without forcing the uninterested party to plow through material about the United Methodist Church's administrative structure and procedures.
   
   Don't expect a profound philisophical discourse on the similarities between Wesley's concept of "sanctification" and the Eastern Orthodox concept of "Theosis" in this book. But DO expect a nice, clean, concise history of the Methodist denomination, a good explanation of its eccumenicalism, a summary of Wesley's values, and all the promised essentials about what role communion, baptism, and clerical orders play in the modern UMC. The end of the book has a tidy summation of Wesley's "rules" and the general principles of the UMC.
   
   For anyone thinking of joining a Methodist church, seeking information about Methodism, and for those Methodists who want a good, concise reference and explanation, this is THE book. Go hit that "add to my shopping cart" button if you fall into one of these categories!



4. Excellent, clear, well-written, comprehensive ... I've run out of adjectives attempting to describe this book. If you're looking for an excellent foundational book on Methodist Doctrine and Theology, go no further than Dr. Ted Campbell's fantastic book, "Methodist Doctrine." I've read a lot of books on the theological standards of the United Methodist Church, but this one really goes a long way toward answering almost any question in a way that is accessable to both pastor and lay person. Buy this book!



5. Campbell's discussion of Methodist Doctrine is clear and well presented. He uses non-theological language to teach what could be complicated points. He gives references to support his statements. These could easily used for further reading. This is a good introduction which would make further study much easier.