No comments about At the End of the Day: How Will You Be Remembered?.

1 comments about Evangelism & Theology in the Wesleyan Spirit.

1. A wonderfully understandable synthesis of how Weslayan thought is relevant to this new milleniun and can bring about agreement of both liberal and conservative thinkers. It can serve as a basis for the much needed 3rd American revival in Christ.

4 comments about The Faith We Sing: Singers (Faith We Sing).

1. This version of TFWS is good for instrumentalists and singers - the music has melody/lyrics, chord symbols, and keyboard parts, similar to the more expensive Accompianment Edition. The songs, like in the UMC hymnal, are organized by topic - they seem a good selection of 80's-90's praise music, with some older hymns and such thrown in.



2. "The Faith We Sing" is an excellent worship resource for today's church. It contains a variety of Christians songs, new and old from around the world. I would highly recommend it for anyone who wants to enrich the worship life of their church.



3. Our church has the pew editions in the pews (of course). Here at home, I have 1 copy of the accompaniment edition, and just now 1 copy of the singers edition. For a lot of the songs, a person could just use the singers edition for the person playing accompaniment. Both the top and bottom hands are in most of the songs in the singers book. There are some selections that have only the top hand in the singers edition. If a person wasn't to picky, the singers edition would work for the accompanist, but if you want to make sure you have everything, make sure to get the accompainment edition if you are the accompainist.
   
   The Singers edition is great!!! It is spirial bound and easy to flip through for singers. Like I said, most of the songs have both top and both hands for each song. The dimension size of the singers edition is bigger than the pew books, but smaller than the accompaniment edition.
   
   Overall, is you are wanting to get books for your choir, don't just use pew books, get your choir the singers books, it will be well worth the money so that not just the soprano have their part, but the alto, tenor and base have their parts too!!!



4. Great selection of contemporary and older Christian hymns and songs which supplement the hymnals of United Methodist and other churches.

3 comments about George Whitefield: God's Anointed Servant in the Great Revival of the Eighteenth Century.

1. This book is a 224 page condensation of the much longer, two-volume "George Whitefield: The Life and Times of the Great Evangelist of the Eighteenth-Century Revival". I purchased this shorter volume for our church library and am already saving up the $66 to purchase the longer work for my private library. I eagerly anticipate obtaining Dallimore's more exhaustive look at the life of this great evangelist.
   
   This Volume: First of all, the editing and reworking of the original for this edition was done by the author--Arnold Dallimore. This is important due to the terrible chop-jobs professional editors are prone to perform on works such as this one. But since I've yet to read the longer edition of which this volume is a condensation, I cannot draw any helpful comparisons between the two. I can, however, say unreservedly that this is an amazing biography in itself. Most modern readers aren't interested in wading through 1200 pages of historical details, even for a man as great as Whitefield. Far more would be willing to pick up a well-written 200 page paperback concerning a name they might have heard mentioned, but know little about. All in all, I very highly recommend this volume for this sort of reader. But if you are an evangelical Christian (particularly of the "Calvinist" doctrinal persuasion) or a Church-history buff, then I feel compelled to recommend springing for the full edition. With what this tiny volume contained I cannot but expect great things from the lengthier original work.
   
   The Subject Matter: Wow. Simply wow. I mean--who knew? I'd always heard that John Wesley was the sole founder of Methodism. In fact, the only thing I knew about George Whitefield was that he was attributed with a few neat quotes (ie. "Let the name of Whitefield perish, but Christ be glorified!", "I am weary in Thy work, but not weary of it", etc.) and that he once spoke at Jonathan Edwards' Northhampton church (at which time he left Edwards in tears). I fully expect that if it were not for this work of Dallimore, the name of Whitefield truly would be lost to persons such as myself. What I expected was another (Calvinistic) Wesley. What I found was a man whose zeal, love, holiness of life and passion for Christ seemed to equal even those I hold in highest regard (among whom are Martin Luther and Charles Spurgeon). Whitefield was a tireless worker for God and his zeal for the gospel was only matched by his selfless compassion for his fellow man. He was the first of the great open-air preachers and nudged both John and Charles Wesley into evangelistic ministry. Whitefield's life is a beautiful illustration of Christian ministry and evangelistic zeal. I cannot recommend this man highly enough.
   
   The Author: Dallimore was a Baptist pastor and semi-prolific biographer. The only lack that I see in this work compared with his biography "Spurgeon" is that it is more lacking in anecdotal stories and pastoral application. This is likely due to the scope of the abbreviated work rather than to a change in style of the author. It is a fast-moving biography and takes you quickly from Whitefield's earliest days into the midst of his phenomenal ministry. Dallimore has done a superb job in this work.
   
   The Reader: Who should read this book? I would recommend it most highly to pastors and other evangelical Christians whose zeal for God and spiritual wells have begun to run dry. Evangelical Calvinistic Christians will get the greatest benefit from this read. But it may also prove of great interest to those of the Methodist heritage. Also, all who are called to the ministry of evangelism (teaching and preaching) could not but benefit from this work. Whitefield's zeal is contagious and his meekness humbling. The mere historian might enjoy the factual aspects of the book, but it was written from a distinctively evangelical Christian perspective.
   
   "Weary in Thy work, but not weary of it." -G. Whitefield



2. I read the first few hundred pages of Dallimore's mammoth two volume tour of Whitefield's life and times, and I was loving it. But I got sidetracked and didn't get back to it right away.
   
   So I decided to read through this condensation of the two volume set. This little book has a lot of power because it is a tight presentation of the most telling moments in the great evangelist's life. You see his early days at the Bell Inn which was run by his parents. You read briefly of his involvement with the Oxford Holy Club, and his shattering conversion to Christ.
   
   After his ordination, he is introduced to field preaching by Howell Harris, and the rest, as we say, is history. He preaches to thousands of miners and workers in the open air in England, then in October of 1739, he sails for the second time to the American colonies, where his powerful preaching wins thousands of people to Christ.
   
   You also read of Whitefield's unfortunate doctrinal divisions with John and Charles Wesley involving Calvinism and Arminianism. You will meet Whitefield's wife, and how they spent more time apart than together on account of his itinerant ministry.
   
   You also read of his friendship with Benjamin Franklin and of his meeting with Jonathan Edwards.
   
   You also read of Whitefield's constant health problems and how his persistent preaching eventually wore him out, and he died early one morning in 1770 of a severe case of asthma.
   
   He is quite simply the greatest evangelist since the apostle Paul, and Dallimore's little book catches the highlights of his ministry. Highly recommended.



3. Inspiration from a great 18th century Christian, I opted to read the shorter version, this one. I think that we can learn and be inspired from Christians who seek God's Kingdom. He led an interesting life. He knew Ben Franklin and some of England's nobility but was very modest.

No comments about 7 Myths of the United Methodist Church.

2 comments about The Story of American Methodism: A History of the United Methodists and Their Relations.

1. Frederick Norwood's book was required reading in Seminary, and I still find myself going back to it, time and again, for information about the history of the MEC (Methodist Episcopal Church) and the UMC (United Methodist Church). This is not really the most exciting reading, and there are many topics that are more completely covered elsewhere, but as an overview of the denominational History of Methodists in the United States, this book does an excellent job.



2. Our Covenant Group at Church is reading Frederick Norwood's book, The Story of American Methodism.
   
   We are enjoying this book very much. It's great reading, jammed with historical facts and information. Mr. Norwood shows how Methodism and our young nation grew (and expanded west) together, each influencing the other.
   
   I recommend this book highly. When I began to read it, I couldn't put it down. I'm a lifelong Methodist and to read about our history - and how the 'pioneer' circuit riders - preachers - survived and sacrificed their lives in the wilderness - is a magnificent story that should be told. Every one of these Christians were real heroes. Our whole class is in awe of their holy work, devotion and passion for our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
   
   We're all thankful to God for these men and women who built up the early church in America and nurturned its growth until present times.
   
   You can see and feel the Holy Spirit's work throughout the book.
   
   Mr. Norwood has done an outstanding job. Our group encourages others to read this astounding and amazing book about real people who accomplished much and overcame incredible odds in their lifetimes. A true inspirational read.
   
   It should be a movie.

3 comments about The Top Ten List for Christians: Priorities for Faithful Living.

1. This is an excellent teaching book on the "next" Ten Commandments for Christians. Dr. Moore's personal experiences and humor make this an enjoyable book for all ages. Real life application with supporting scriptures and examples. Excellent reenforcement with examples.



2. A bit simplistic at times, but got some good discussions going
   in our Sunday School class (Methodist). Would recommend it
   for Contemporary Adult Sunday School classes or Bible studies.



3. This book doesn't make sense. I am pretty sure Christians already have a Top 10 list if you know what I mean. I bet THE MAN is pretty upset about this. James Moore went all Casey Kasem on him and tried to trump HIS list. Anyway, it's your call, but I think I'm sticking with the list that dates back to B.C. and has guided the morals of man ever since, while playing a major role the development of early legal systems which has an impact present in almost all forms of modern law and faith.
   
   Nice try James Moore.

3 comments about A Plain Account of Christian Perfection (Epworth Classics).

1. Wesley's brief treatise on the important yet overlooked Christian doctrine of perfection is a "must read" for all Christians interested in growing in Christ. The fact that this book is not mandatory reading in every seminary and Bible school is a travesty, making a mockery contemporary Christian education. This book is excellent for anyone serious about their spiritual journey.



2. John Wesley (1703-1791) firmly believed that God continued to work in the life of the believer subsequent to justification. In A Plain Account of Christian Perfection, Wesley provides an account of the development of his understanding of the doctrine of Christian Perfection. This short work contains a lucid explanation of the doctrine with special attention not only to the Biblical promises and commands that are the basis of the doctrine but also the practical way that "perfect love" works in the life of the believer. While this work was certainly intended to instruct those who were seeking "perfect love," it also attempts to answer those who would deny the doctrine.

   The essence of Christian Perfection, for Wesley, was clearly defined by Christ when an expert in the law asked him, "Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?" He said to him, "`You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: `You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets." (Matthew 23.36-40 NRSV)

   Here one sees that, for Wesley, the main point of Christian Perfection is "perfect love." "Perfect love" thus defines our relationship to God and others.

   This book is essential for those in the Wesleyan tradition and a worthwhile read for those from other Christian perspectives that wish to understand what Wesley thinks Christian Perfection is and is not.




3. Since Wesley wrote in a different era, his style requires some adjustment but once one gets past that there is a lot of edifying content in this book. The key point of this book is the issue of "perfection." He sees it as living what Jesus said was the greatest commandment and its accompanying commandment, i.e., to love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your mind, all your strength, and to love your neighbor as you love yourself. Wesley's life demonstrates that he reached the goal. He traveled extensively, read widely, wrote inspiringly, and influenced many people to believe in Jesus as their Savior. Thank God for his legacy in words and deeds. He truly practiced and preached.

5 comments about The Divine Dramatist: George Whitefield and the Rise of Modern Evangelicalism (Library of Religious Biography Series).

1. This volume came warmly recommended by Mark Noll in "The Scandal of the Evangelical Mind", but turns out to be not so much an autobiography as a mean spirited diatribe about how George Whitefield was a Bad Guy. Beyond the pedestrian failures of not adequately representing Whitefield's theology, this book fails to report his theology altogether. As I read, I thought time and again of those murky Sunday School classes where the Higher Critic of a teacher, having no life with God, labors to remove all the miraculous from the story of Moses and the Red Sea (although I continue to marvel at how God drowned the Egyptians in 18" of water). And I discovered from this book that George Whitefield was invariably insecure, self-adoring, tricky, a hypocrite, sneaky, effeminate, a cheat, self righteous, and well, you get the idea. One wonders if the author could use a little sermon on charity from his subject. But the greatest failure of this little book is its missing what invariable makes biographies of godly persons so readable: not so much the life of the person, but the life of God lived through the person. On this count, the book fails entirely. Save your money.



2. What a great book! Stout is a wonderful historian and it shows



3. Adding to the previous negative reviews, how can one take seriously a book which, on page 2, cannot even get the location of Whitefield's birth correct? Stout makes him a son of Bristol instead of a son of Gloucester (35 miles to the north). If he makes such a mistake this early what confidence can one have in the rest of the book?



4. Harry Stout does a marvelous job with the difficult task of assessing George Whitefield's career with respect to his skills as a dramatist and promoter. Before reading this book I was very skeptical of the often undue emphasis historians in recent years have attempted to place on style rather than content to revivalists' preaching. But I found Stout's arguement to be very convincing. This is a very helpful volume for anyone interested in George Whitefield, the Great Awakening, or American religion.



5. "The Divine Dramatist" turns the life of a theologian into something not only readable, but fascinating. It turns out that Whitefield was the catalyst behind the most major movement in American history. It reads like a novel, but is very informative. Anyone interested in this subject matter must read it.

1 comments about A Year with John Wesley and Our Methodist Values.

1. This little book is divided into monthly themes and is very informative as to the Wesleyan perspective on topics such as grace, Christian commitment, sin, and eternal life. The articles are brief and leave you wanting more!