Grace & Responsibility: A Wesleyan Theology for Today

by John B. Cobb Jr.

A distinguished thinker ponders the meaning of Wesley's theology.

John B. Cobb, Jr., draws on the historical, critical, and literary work that has characterized Wesley studies in recent years, but moves beyond them to propose one way of reconstructing and reappropriating essential elements of Wesley's thought in service of the church's life and mission.

Genres: Theology, Religion, Christianity

196 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 1995

About the author

John Boswell Cobb Jr. was an American theologian, philosopher, and environmentalist. Cobb was regarded as a preeminent scholar in the field of process philosophy and process theology, the school of thought associated with the philosophy of Alfred North Whitehead. He was the author of more than fifty books. In 2014, Cobb was elected to the prestigious American Academy of Arts and Sciences.

Reviews

[Erin Grasse · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting and thoughtful engagement of John Wesley that clearly demonstrates John Cobb’s sincere desire to craft a working and authentic Wesleyan theology for today.

The arguments were occasionally hard to follow, but well-done on the whole.

[John Wessels · Rating 5 out of 5]

John Cobb’s careful thoughtfulness in appreciating Wesley and inspiring our journey as Wesleyan Christians today is a gift to be treasured through a careful reading and re-reading of this book.

[J. Ewbank · Rating 4 out of 5]

John Cobb presents us with an update, modern concept of what Wesley might have thought theologically today. He gives us some possible ways to further the theology of Wesley by being Wesleyan ourselves. I found the book very illuminating, interesting, and helpful in my own studies of John Wesley. Enjoyed it very much. Thank you.

J. Robert Ewbank author "John Wesley, Natural Man, and the 'Isms'"

[T.Kay Browning · Rating 3 out of 5]

100 pages in. He's already lost me on "our society's problem is too much self-love."

Final vote: A game effort at balancing tradition and modernity, with a lot of critical examination of both, but fell short for me.

[Scott Groth · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great perspective on what Wesleyan theology was and what it might become.