The Theology of John Wesley: Holy Love and the Shape of Grace

by Kenneth J. Collins

A rich articulation of John Wesley's theology that is appreciative of the old and mindful of the new, faithful to the past and attentive to the present.

This work carefully displays John Wesley's eighteenth century theology in its own distinct historical and social location, but then transitions to the twenty-first century through the introduction of contemporary issues. So conceived, the book is both historical and constructive demonstrating that the theology of Wesley represents a vibrant tradition. Cognizant of Wesley's own preferred vocabulary, Collins introduces Wesley's theological method beginning with a discussion of the doctrine of God.

"In this insightful exposition the leitmotif of holy love arises out of Wesley's reflection on the nature of the divine being as well as other major doctrines." (Douglas Meeks)

Genres: Theology, History, Nonfiction, Religion, Christian, Church History, Faith

423 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2007

About the author

American theologian Kenneth J. Collins is an internationally recognized scholar in the field of Historical Theology who has an ecumenical heart and who has produced a number of works in Christian Spirituality to reach a broad and energetic following. A popular and engaging speaker, Collins has given lectures in England, South Korea, Japan, Russia, Estonia, Costa Rica, Australia and elsewhere. Some of his works have been translated into Russian, Portuguese, Korean, Estonian and Chinese. He is a graduate of Princeton Seminary (Th.M.) and Drew University (Ph.D.) and has written and edited more than seventeen books and scores of articles. He currently serves as a professor of Historical Theology and Wesley Studies at Asbury Theological Seminary.

Reviews

[Nick · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dr. Collins does an excellent job of guiding readers through understanding Wesley's theology--no easy task, since it continually developed throughout his ministry and he was in no way systematic. My three stars do not reflect the quality of the book but, rather, my enjoyment of it. Dr. Collin's main objective is to show what Wesley's theology was rather than build a strong case for the validity of that theology. The focus is always on the historical analysis of Wesley's writings. For a Methodist who needs to understand what Wesley did and didn't believe this should be quite helpful. For people who argue against Wesleyan-Arminianism this a book that they need to read. For me, it just wasn't what I wanted to be reading at the time.

[Matthew J. Winbow · Rating 5 out of 5]

As Fred Sanders has also pointed out there are numerous Wesleys “that have been portrayed by the interpreters: the basically Reformed Wesley, the essentially Lutheran-Pietist Wesley, the secretly Puritan Wesley, the exotically Greek Patristic Wesley. Methodists, understandably, have a tendency to describe him retroactively as a good Methodist, though like all interpreters they have to explain why he was pleased to remain Anglican all his life. Anglican he may have been, but reasonable scholars have nevertheless described him as a secret Baptist, a crypto-Catholic, and a proto-Pentecostal. These disputes over the interpretation of his theology have become the standard fare of Wesley studies.”

Collins seeks to provide a holistic look into the theology of Wesley and comes down within the protestant Reformed-Lutheran-Pietist strand of interpretation always attempting to locate Wesley within that broader stream whilst acknowledging that Wesley was very keen on the Greek Fathers and some Catholic devotional literature.

Collins seems to be keen on the Wesley quote where he says “I think on justification just as Mr. Calvin does. In this respect I do not differ from him an hair’s breadth.”

Collins in this work shows us how Wesley kept so many tensions in his theology together whether Grace and Works, Monergism and Synergism, Irresistible and Resistible Grace. Wesley is the King at “porque no los dos?” “Why not both?” and always seeks to maintain scriptural language rather than the language of the systematic theologians. I think that this is Wesley’s greatest strength.

Collins suggests that the German Lutheran Pietist August Hermann Francke (22 March 1663 – 8 June 1727) was probably a major influence upon Wesley’s understanding of the new birth and being born again.

Collins writes “This "protestant" theme of grace can likewise be amply demonstrated from Wesley's writings. "The author of faith and salvation is God alone." Wesley notes, "He is the sole Giver of every good gift." Moreover, not only does Wesley contend that "holiness is the work of God," but he also maintains that the Most High "doth it of his own good pleasure." In other words, divine freedom, and yes, even sovereignty, determines the timetable for crucial receptions of grace.”

One thing I appreciated at the end of each chapter was the “Today and Tomorrow” section that looked at how some of Wesley’s insights could contribute to today’s conversations. I especially enjoyed the section on Pentecostalism and its origins within Wesley’s theology.

This is a great overview of the theology of John Wesley. It is well worth a read.

[Tiffany · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book can quickly go over readers' heads if you are just a curious reader looking to understand John Wesley's theology. I didn't like how it was structured by topic/subject rather than following the growth, change, and influences on Wesley chronologically. You're moved forward and backward in time to talk about entire sanctification or ordo solutis. The author can't help but repeat much information he's already shared due to how the chapters and sections are laid out. Collins also enjoys using parenthesis to expand on definitions and ideas a lot! For me, they were distracting. If you aren't a minister, a theologian, or have prior knowledge about Wesley, Albert C. Outler's work is a little more accessible.

[John Crowe · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am glad to see his softened position about the eastern orientation's influence on Wesley. As a former writer of book reviews for Sharing the Practice: The International Quarterly Journal for the Academy of Parish Clergy, I quickly noticed his primary sources lacked balance. Where are the primary sources which would counter or support his arguments against his position? His references to eastern theologians leave me wondering which ones. Is he talking about the early eastern Christian writers before or after the early Byzantine era?

[Christina Yoder · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really helpful for a former southern Baptist, who converted to methodism, simply because worshiping in that setting most aligned with her beliefs in the gospel of Jesus over merely religious practices. I found my particular church most resembles what church should be like because it focuses on the right things and does not claim to be "right" about all things that religious people believe. Salvation is through Grace Alone and belief in the life and resurrection in Jesus Christ.

[T.M. · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was required reading for a class I was taking. It had good information. The Kindle edition I had however had many errors and missing information. Overall I liked the content of the book, but some of these errors were so jarring, it really impacted my reading of the book.

[Kaiha Hovanec · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was admittedly above my reading level and it took work to grasp but it really is an excellent resource paired with Wesley’s sermons to begin to understand his theology.

[Callie Perry · Rating 3 out of 5]

TH 601

[Kevin Casto · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good introduction into the theology of John Wesley.

[Kyler Duvall · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is good and helpful on reigning in the patterns of Wesley’s theology. It can just be a bit long-winded, just like every other systematic theology book. Ken is great.

[Mason Tabor · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good book. Kenneth Collins concisely explains the various themes, emphases, conjunctions, and axial points in Wesley’s theology in such a way that the diligent student can walk away from reading this book and be able to accurately explain what Wesley believed and taught. Wesley, indeed, was a theologian, if only a practical one, as this book amply shows. This book will be useful for helping all those whose Christian convictions derive from Wesley to understand their theological heritage better, without latching onto the many misconceptions out there about John Wesley.