The Almost Mystic: John Wesley’s Editing of the Spanish Mystics, Juan de Ávila and Miguel de Molinos, in His Christian Library
Ebook
John Wesley, eighteenth century Church of England priest and founder of Methodism, was strongly influenced by the works of Roman Catholic mystics early in his ministry. These writings shaped his widely known doctrine of Christian perfection or entire sanctification. The mystics inspired Wesley to advocate for a lofty spiritual goal that he believed to be attainable in this life. In time, however, he developed many contentions with extremes as well as some particulars found in the mystical tradition.
Beginning in 1749, Wesley began to publish his Christian Library--a fifty-volume compilation of abridged works that he believed to be among the best writings on practical divinity that had been published in English. Among this vast collection, he incorporated two works originally written in Spanish including a sampling of Letters by Juan de Avila and the Spiritual Guide by Miguel de Molinos.
This book examines Wesley's editing of these works as a way of evaluating Wesley's theology in comparison and contrast with Spanish mysticism. In particular, this book serves as a comparative study among these authors on matters of theological authority, self-knowledge and epistemology, soteriology, spiritual growth, suffering and divine withdrawal, prayer, meditation, contemplation, and the spiritual goal.
“Steven Tungate has produced a rich, comparative study that explores the similarities between the theologies of John Wesley and the mystics Juan de Avila and Miguel de Molinos. What emerges from such an engaging work is a bold invitation to recognize in a fresh way the undoubted influence of mysticism on Wesley’s theology especially at its lowest depths as well as at its highest reaches. Kudos to Tungate!”
—Kenneth J. Collins, professor of historical theology and Wesley studies, Asbury Theological Seminary
“In The Almost Mystic, Steven P. Tungate offers an expert overview of many key aspects of John Wesley’s theology such as theological authority, epistemology, soteriology, prayer, spiritual growth, and suffering. He also brings fresh insight and energy to the crucial and neglected study of John Wesley’s work as an editor in this detailed and careful analysis of the work of Juan de Ávila and Miguel de Molinos in his Christian Library. Highly recommended!”
—Kevin M. Watson, director of academic growth and formation, Asbury Theological Seminary
“Here is a very useful and thorough analysis of key Roman Catholic mystic sources that John Wesley used in his understanding and articulation of the perfecting work of God’s Spirit in Christian experience. Attentive readers will learn much not only about Wesley, but also about Spanish Christian mystics who form an important part of the Christian tradition. The book also helps readers grasp the nature and significance of Wesley’s Christian Library—the fifty-volume resource Wesley published to help serious Christians in their life and witness.”
—Howard A. Snyder, author of The Radical Wesley and Patterns for Church Renewal
“The vast Christian Library, assembled, edited, and promoted by John Wesley has been generally ignored by his spiritual descendants. Now, Steven Tungate makes important contributions to Wesley and English literary studies by undertaking this analysis. His work is significant for its methodological approach as well as its findings. It will be a standard work for understanding Wesley’s approach to theology and mysticism and as a case study on reading and editing of literature in eighteenth-century England.”
—David Bundy, associate director, Manchester Wesley Research Centre, Nazarene Theological College
“By closely examining John Wesley’s nuanced relationship to the Spanish Catholic mystical tradition, Steven Tungate sheds new light on Wesley’s theology of suffering and Christian perfection. A work of refreshing scholarship, The Almost Mystic invites readers to reflect on a most fascinating subject—mystical union with God!”
—Jason E. Vickers, professor of theology and Wesleyan studies, Truett Seminary, Baylor University
- Title: The Almost Mystic: John Wesley’s Editing of the Spanish Mystics, Juan de Ávila and Miguel de Molinos, in His Christian Library
- Author: Steven P. Tungate
- Publisher: Pickwick Publications
- Print Publication Date: 2024
- Logos Release Date: 2024
- Language: English
- Resources: 1
- Format: Digital › Ebook
- ISBNs: 9781666781571, 9781666781564, 1666781568, 9781666781557, 166678155X, 1666781576
- Resource ID: LLS:9781666781571
- Resource Type: Monograph
- Metadata Last Updated: 2024-08-07T20:41:13Z
Steven P. Tungate directs the Center for Pastoral Formation for the Free Methodist Church USA and Greenville University. He authored Wholistic Mentoring (2023) and Ministerial Education and Guidance Manual (2022). He holds a PhD from the University of South Africa, DMin from Fuller Theological Seminary, MDiv from Asbury Theological Seminary, and BS from Michigan State University. He is a Senior Polycarp Fellow affiliated with Wesley House of Studies—Truett Seminary/Baylor, formerly at Perkins School of Theology/SMU.