The Cambridge Companion to John Wesley

Description

A leading figure in the Evangelical Revival in eighteenth-century England, John Wesley (1703-1791) is the founding father of Methodism and, by extension, of the holiness and Pentecostal movements. This Cambridge Companion offers a general, comprehensive introduction to Wesley's life and work, and to his theological and ecclesiastical legacy. Written from various disciplinary perspectives, including history, literature, theology, and religious studies, this volume will be an invaluable aid to scholars and students, including those encountering the work and thought of Wesley for the first time. Cover Title Copyright Contents List of Illustrations Contributors Acknowledgments Chronology of John Wesley Abbreviations Introduction History of Wesley Studies Editions of John Wesley’s Writings John and Charles Wesley The Contribution of Richard P. Heitzenrater to Wesley Studies Part I: Wesley’s Context 1. The Long Eighteenth Century Scholarly Debate over the Nature of the Eighteenth Century Reflections of the Debate in Standard Assessments of Wesley Reflections of Wesley’s Example in a More Nuanced Understanding of His Context Recognizing the Long Eighteenth Century Implications of Recent Scholarship for Wesley Studies State of the Church of England Relationship between Anglicanism and Dissent Nature of the British Enlightenment Part II: Wesley’s Life 2. Wesley’s Life and Ministry Early Years The Rise of Oxford Methodism Georgia Aldersgate Moravianism The Methodist Infrastructure Tensions with Calvinists The Perfectionist Controversy The American, Scottish, and English Ordination Wesley’s Legacy 3. Wesley in Context Wesley’s Methodism and the Church of England Wesley, Methodism, and Popular Culture Wesley’s Economic Views and Methodist Work Discipline Wesley’s Political Theology and Methodist Political Culture The Halévy Thesis Part III: Wesley’s Work 4. Wesley as Revivalist/Renewal Leader “As It Was in the Beginning” Revivalist Preaching and Polity Revivalist Enthusiasm and Liturgy Revivalist “Clergy” Revivalist Resistance “Is Now, and Evermore Shall Be?” 5. Wesley as Preacher Introduction The Break with Convention The Hazards and Satisfaction of Preaching The Concern with Technique and Theological Content The Distinction between Oral and Written Form Conclusion 6. Wesley as Biblical Interpreter Introduction Wesley’s Social Location Wesley’s Canon within the Canon Wesley’s Use of 1 John Wesley’s Interpretive Practices 1. The Intuited Text 2. The Naked Text 3. The Canonical Text 4. The Community’s Text 5. The Salvific Text 6. The Ruled Text 7. The Preached Text 8. The Responsive Text 9. The Performed Text 10. The Sacramental Text 7. John Wesley as Diarist and Correspondent Wesley’s Correspondence John Wesley’s Diaries John Wesley’s Journal A Day in the Life of John Wesley: Reading the Letters, Diary, and Journal Together Conclusion 8. John Wesley as Editor and Publisher The Context of Wesley’s Activities Audiences Sources and Authors Formats Publishing and Distribution Wesley’s Favorite Genres and Books 9. Wesley’s Engagement with the Natural Sciences Placing Wesley’s Engagement in Historical Context Transitional Character of “Science” in Eighteenth-Century England Preference for “Experimental” over “Speculative” Natural Philosophy Theological Dimensions of Eighteenth-Century Natural Philosophy Characteristics of Wesley’s Engagement with the Natural “Sciences” Focused on Descriptive Natural Philosophy Inclined to a Modest Natural Theology Convinced of God’s Care for the Whole Creation Dedicated to Placing Knowledge in Service to All 10. Wesley as Advisor on Health and Healing I. II. III. IV. 11. Wesley’s Theological Emphases Background Developments The Basic Framework: Creation, Fall, and Redemption An Emphasis on the Holy Spirit: Awakening, Assurance, and Sanctification A Fitting End: The Trinity and the New Creation 12. Happiness, Holiness, and the Moral Life in John Wesley Holiness Organized Holiness Organized: Groups Holiness Organized: The General Rules Do No Harm/Avoid Evil Do Good Attend upon All the Ordinances of God Reflecting on the General Rules Holiness Exemplified: Stands on Particular Issues Slavery Suicide Parenting One Religion, One Happiness, One Holiness 13. Wesley’s Emphases on Worship and the Means of Grace Ressourcement Simplicity Personal Appropriation Conclusion Part IV: Wesley’s Legacy 14. The Spread of Wesleyan Methodism The Spread to North America Thomas Coke, the Caribbean, and Beyond Africa Asia Australasia and Oceania Central and South America Europe Conclusion 15. The Holiness/Pentecostal/Charismatic Extension of the Wesleyan Tradition Characterizing the Holiness, Pentecostal, and Charismatic Movements Sanctification and Early American Methodism Phoebe Palmer and Revivalistic Perfectionism The Post Civil War Holiness Revival The European Revival and the Keswick Convention Growing Divisions, Healing, and Premillennialism Breaking Away The Third Blessing Restless Visionaries and the Roots of Pentecostalism The Azusa Street Revival The Charismatic Movement Conclusion 16. The African American Wing of the Wesleyan Tradition Early African American Methodist Leaders Emergence of Autonomous African Methodist Churches The Wesleyan Character of Early Black Methodism Black Wesleyanism in the Post-War and Reconstruction Period Institutionalization at the Turn of the Twentieth Century Civil Rights Activism in Black Wesleyanism Black Wesleyan Engagement in Systematic Liberation 17. Current Debates over Wesley’s Legacy Among His Progeny John Wesley as Theologian Recovery of Appreciation for Wesley as Theologian Debates with the Recovery Conversion Baptism Communion Christian Perfection Liberation The “Wesleyan Quadrilateral” Select Bibliography Wesley’s Works Wesley’s Historical Context Biographical Studies Intellectual and Theological Studies Collections of Essays on Wesley and Wesleyan Theology Wesleyan/Methodist Development Index