Methodist Theology (Doing Theology)
Overview
This book is written to capture the imagination and engage the reader in conversation by expressing the essence of the Methodist tradition. Methodism is presented not as a doctrinaire society, yet one that is clear about what it believes. Methodists confidently develop their theology through conversation with the world of secular knowledge, with other Christian traditions and other religious faiths, drawing on contemporary biblical scholarship, and with careful attention to the Christian tradition. In terms of mission, Methodism is serious about worship—public and personal—since it wants to celebrate the reality of God’s presence with his people—all his people. This is because Methodist theology is grounded in the grace of God that it proclaims to be free for all and is essentially Christological and Trinitarian. Thus, Methodism is keen to draw others into its fellowship and does not have missionary societies but rather sees itself as a society organized for mission.
The Logos Bible Software edition of this volume streamlines and enhances your study. Scripture passages link directly to your English translations and original-language texts, and important theological concepts link to dictionaries, encyclopedias, and a wealth of other resources in your digital library. Perform powerful searches by topic to find what other authors, scholars, and theologians have to say.
- Provides a discussion of Methodist tradition and theology
- Simplified explanation of technical concepts
- Syntheses of diverse theological perspectives from experts in the field
- Foundations
- Preaching and Singing the Faith
- Grace Abounding
- The Presence of God
- A Revolutionary Gospel
- A World Without Boundaries
- The Mind of Christ
- Listening and Hoping
- Wesleyan Revival: A Thankful Worshipping Community
Top Highlights
“Methodist theology is not sectarian. Methodism did not seek to be an ecclesial body, but rather to be a style of spiritual life within an existing body, the Established Church of England.” (Page 2)
“In order to do so it assumes that theological enquiry is shaped by scripture, tradition, reason and experience” (Page viii)
“Methodist theology joins the conversation which God has initiated with humankind and responds to Jesus’ call to take up the Cross and follow him. In accepting this awesome responsibility, Methodist theologians have wanted to learn from and build relationships with other Christian traditions, Catholic, Orthodox, Anglican and Protestant: they continue to do so. Moreover, they acknowledge that insight about God and God’s lively activity may be found in other religious traditions, Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Islam and Sikhism. This is how it comes about that Methodism has made, as we shall see, a disproportionate contribution to the Ecumenical Movement and to Inter-Faith Dialogue.” (Page 2)
“The time would come when John Wesley could no longer pretend that he had done no more than begin a spiritual movement within the Established Church. When he and the early Methodist preachers were banned from preaching in parish churches by bishops, John Wesley revolted against their heavy authority. In his opinion their attitude prevented the poor hearing the good news of salvation through Christ.” (Page 8)
“First, it is focused on God, knowledge of whom is a gift of God’s grace: it is not the product of unaided human effort” (Page 14)
This is a book in which the author defies the gravity of age, and combines a rare mix of well earned wisdom with inspiring youthful enthusiasm. Dr. Wilson moves effortlessly through the roots, branches, and flowering of Methodist Theology, with a passionate belief in reasonable Christianity, and in the part that Methodism can play in that today. An up-to-date book with an old fashioned commitment to the disciplines of study and thoughtfulness.
—Mark Wakelin, secretary for internal relationships, The Connexional Team, UK
Methodist Theology by Kenneth Wilson is a book that will enlighten, inform, and inspire all who pick it up. It comes from one of the most gifted, creative, and ecumenically-minded Methodist scholars of his generation . . . This work sets Methodism and its distinctive theological and ecclesiological traditions in their wider historical, intellectual, and social context and makes the story of how Methodism came into being come alive in a highly accessible manner. Wilson paints rich parallels across the centuries and explains the more complex theological emphases dear to the heart of the Methodist movement with a clarity rarely found in foundational textbooks . . . A tour de force of historical and systematic theology alike, this work should be required reading for anyone interested in contemporary doctrinal and ecclesiological currents of thought.
—Gerard Mannion, professor of theology and religious studies, University of San Diego
. . . members of other churches will be fascinated by an account of Methodist theology that looks at both doctrines and the teaching of major Methodist figures.
—Church of England Newspaper
Kenneth Wilson has done an excellent job articulating the theological thinking of those ‘reflective practitioners’ who call themselves Methodist.
—Church Times
- Title: Methodist Theology (Doing Theology)
- Author: Kenneth Wilson
- Series: Doing Theology
- Publisher: T&T Clark
- Print Publication Date: 2011
- Logos Release Date: 2014
- Pages: 208
- Language: English
- Resources: 1
- Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
- Subject: Methodist Church › Doctrines
- ISBNs: 9780567317469, 0567317463
- Resource ID: LLS:MTHDSTTHLGY
- Resource Type: Monograph
- Metadata Last Updated: 2022-09-30T01:39:58Z