The New Creation: John Wesley's Theology Today

by Theodore Runyon

Commissioned by the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry for use in United Methodist doctrine/polity/history courses.

Runyon sets Wesley's own discussion of the "way of salvation" in the larger context of Christian doctrine, beginning with the Creation (and the Fall) and moving through the drama of salvation towards its eschatological fulfillment in the "new creation" of all things.

"This is for me the Wesley book at the end of the century, with new perspectives for the next millennium. Reliable in historical research, brilliantly written, it offers the social witness of John Wesley for today's crises. Professor Runyon gives a coherent picture of Wesley's theology for the Christian oecumene and far beyond. I am very grateful for this book."--Jurgen Moltmann
The New Creation has been translated into 5 languages: Korean, Portuguese, Russian, German, and Spanish."

Genres: Theology, Christianity, Nonfiction, Christian, Religion

288 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2006

Reviews

[J. Ewbank · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book by Theodore Runyon about the theology of John Wesley is an excellent book with some information and ideas that I have not run into before. He handles the theology of Wesley is an excellent manner, even providing the philosophical and theological background that Wesley used to help formulate his own theology. Rather than following the order of salvation, which is the method most use to present Wesley's theology, he starts from the image of God and the recreation of that image in man. I enjoyed it!

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

[Luke Mohnasky · Rating 2 out of 5]

James Baldwin said, "I cannot believe what you say because I see what you do." This sums up for me my thoughts on Wesley and the denominations that follow from him. I got stumped at the end though. I've never heard the amount of advocating Wesley did for slaves and the poor until now. Maybe if Wesleyans started with this way of life and placed less emphasis on the odd jargon, Wesleyans could be convincingly loving.

[Kyle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Concise and contextual history of John Wesley that provides a good foundational and working knowledge of Wesley's theology that synthesizes a Protestant emphasis on faith, and Catholic emphasis on works, and the Eastern understanding of Christ's work of transforming all into the image of God.

[Jean-Pierre]

A truly inspiring book -- Wesley's vision (Salvation through grace, faith working through love) is still valid today and can be implemented, as in his time, in plenty of practical ways, including our attitude towards the environment. Some of Runyon's chapters are a bit scholarly (like the debate between Methodism and Calvinism on Free Grace -- Yancey manages to make grace a lot more exciting as a concept, Maddox to make it a lot more thought-provoking), but Runyon knows how to make even the idea of obedience (as openness and responsiveness to grace, mercy and love) an attractive idea. Chapter Six shows the present relevance of Wesleyan thought to most of those issues that are close to our hearts and concerns today -- human rights, women's rights, social justice, the environment -- and goes to show that being a Christian today is not just about "saving one's soul" and even less about judging and excluding others.

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Any serious book on theology is bound to be slow going, and because of that I was planning all along to a this book (which I liked) only 3 stars. But having read to the end, I am now moved to award a 4th one. Chapter 6, "Wesley for Today," reminds me once again why I am so grateful for my Methodist heritage and for the responsibility that comes with it; and the conclusion, "Rethinking Sanctification," is the best reflection on this difficult Wesleyan doctrine that I have ever read.

[Beth]

I hated this book. My Mother had to read it and then gave it to me to see what I thought. Over intellectualized to say nothing new. There are plenty of other books that discuss Wesley that are by far more meaningful and not so sanctimonious.

[Vladimir Zhelezov]

One of the most readable and comprehensive overview of Wesleyan theology! A must read!

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

It has been very helpful for my sermon series but i've found it slow going.