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The Way to Heaven: The Gospel According to John Wesley
Is There a Way to Heaven?
The great evangelist John Wesley believed there is, and he developed his theology to help people make the journey from sin to salvation. In Wesley's 'order of salvation,' God's grace is the keynote from start to finish.
The Way to Heaven is a twentieth-anniversary revision of John Wesley's Message for Today. Dr. Steve Harper presents Wesley's writings and the ideas of Wesley scholars in language that is clear and accessible but never simplistic. Written in the spirit of Wesley, here are 'plain words for plain people.'
The heart of this book is a thoughtful and inspiring look at Wesley's theology of grace and its power to transform. Included are two new chapters. 'Vision and Means' explores Wesley's mission and methods, and 'To Serve the Present Age' considers the impact and relevance of his message today. In addition, an updated reading list facilitates further study, and questions at the end of each chapter stimulate personal reflection and small group discussion.
Ideal as a textbook or for personal study and reflection, this book will advance your knowledge and piety as you travel 'the way to heaven.'
The great evangelist John Wesley believed there is, and he developed his theology to help people make the journey from sin to salvation. In Wesley's 'order of salvation,' God's grace is the keynote from start to finish.
The Way to Heaven is a twentieth-anniversary revision of John Wesley's Message for Today. Dr. Steve Harper presents Wesley's writings and the ideas of Wesley scholars in language that is clear and accessible but never simplistic. Written in the spirit of Wesley, here are 'plain words for plain people.'
The heart of this book is a thoughtful and inspiring look at Wesley's theology of grace and its power to transform. Included are two new chapters. 'Vision and Means' explores Wesley's mission and methods, and 'To Serve the Present Age' considers the impact and relevance of his message today. In addition, an updated reading list facilitates further study, and questions at the end of each chapter stimulate personal reflection and small group discussion.
Ideal as a textbook or for personal study and reflection, this book will advance your knowledge and piety as you travel 'the way to heaven.'
162 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 1, 2003
28 people are currently reading
38 people want to read
About the author
Steve Harper
32 books2 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
Steve Harper is a retired seminary professor who taught in the disciplines of Spiritual Formation and Wesley Studies.
He is the author of sixteen books, and has co-authored thirteen others. You can see them here at his Amazon Author Page.
Dr. Harper and his wife, Jeannie, have been married since 1970. They live in Winter Springs, Florida. They have two grown children (John and Katrina) and three grandchildren (Zoe, Isaac, and James).
Across the years, Steve was a youth minister, evangelist, and pastor in the Northwest Texas Annual Conference. He served under appointment in that Annual Conference as an Elder for 33 years. The last eight years (2004-2012) he was a member of The Florida Annual Conference. He retired in July 2012.
Steve was the first person to be selected as a John Wesley Fellow by A Foundation for Theological Education (1977). He completed his PhD in Wesley Studies at Duke University (1981), with Dr. Frank Baker serving as the Chair of his doctoral committee.
Along the way, he has served in other ministries: Co-Founder with Jeannie of Shepherd's Care, a ministry to ministers (1993-1996), Executive Director of A Foundation for Theological Education (1993-1996), Dean of the Chapel and Director of the Pathways Initiative, a ministry to equip spiritual leaders, at The Upper Room in Nashville (1996-1998).
In 1998, he became the founding Vice President and Dean of the Florida-Dunnam Campus of Asbury Seminary. He retired as vice president in 2009, but continued to teach until his retirement on December 31, 2012.
His current ministry concentrates in writing, especially the
blog: Oboedire (www.oboedire.wordpress.com).
Steve Harper is a retired seminary professor who taught in the disciplines of Spiritual Formation and Wesley Studies.
He is the author of sixteen books, and has co-authored thirteen others. You can see them here at his Amazon Author Page.
Dr. Harper and his wife, Jeannie, have been married since 1970. They live in Winter Springs, Florida. They have two grown children (John and Katrina) and three grandchildren (Zoe, Isaac, and James).
Across the years, Steve was a youth minister, evangelist, and pastor in the Northwest Texas Annual Conference. He served under appointment in that Annual Conference as an Elder for 33 years. The last eight years (2004-2012) he was a member of The Florida Annual Conference. He retired in July 2012.
Steve was the first person to be selected as a John Wesley Fellow by A Foundation for Theological Education (1977). He completed his PhD in Wesley Studies at Duke University (1981), with Dr. Frank Baker serving as the Chair of his doctoral committee.
Along the way, he has served in other ministries: Co-Founder with Jeannie of Shepherd's Care, a ministry to ministers (1993-1996), Executive Director of A Foundation for Theological Education (1993-1996), Dean of the Chapel and Director of the Pathways Initiative, a ministry to equip spiritual leaders, at The Upper Room in Nashville (1996-1998).
In 1998, he became the founding Vice President and Dean of the Florida-Dunnam Campus of Asbury Seminary. He retired as vice president in 2009, but continued to teach until his retirement on December 31, 2012.
His current ministry concentrates in writing, especially the
blog: Oboedire (www.oboedire.wordpress.com).
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
August 28, 2019
How have I not known all these years about this very clear, helpful, down-to-earth presentation of God's invitation into the good life that he desires for every person? This book is simple and accessible to anyone--from seekers of God to students of John Wesley. It was for me an unexpected treasure. I'll probably use it for small group discipleship, and I'll likely read it again for enrichment.
December 8, 2016
I have used this book often as a text introducing students to some basic ideas regarding Christian life in the Wesleyan tradition. It is clearly and simply written. Used recently in an 8 week church seminar and readers found it helpful.
April 5, 2020
Harper opens the ears of the reader to hear God's whispers of love and truth and shows us the high calling of holiness of heart and life. Faithful to John Wesley's views on entire sanctification. He does a great job of capturing the power, the challenges and the beauty of this movement / revival.
May 28, 2018
One of the best books of theology that I have ever read. Easy to read, and both challenging and encouraging. Heartily recommended.
February 5, 2019
A solid short summary of Wesley's theology, if a bit basic.
December 26, 2019
One of the best summaries of the theology of John Wesley I have read.
Relatively short summary and makes you want to know more.
Relatively short summary and makes you want to know more.
August 15, 2013
This was an accessible explanation of the Scriptural Way of Salvation. I thought it was structured strangely. It was almost like a simple study of Wesley's theology systematized by the process of soteriology and then some chapters added to prove Wesley has relevance to today. I think the subject would have been better served if Harper had synthesized these more and just told a contemporarily formatted way of salvation that clearly flows from Wesley's thought.
November 1, 2013
This is an excellent summary of where John Wesley is coming from! Great review, even if you are already Wesley scholar! The discussion questions that are provided at the end of each chapter would make this an easy resource to be used in small groups!
August 25, 2012
A very good book to find out what Methodism is about in this short read. :)
March 13, 2013
Not the best, but not bad either. There's not a lot out there on the basics of John Wesley, so I'm grateful to have found it for our book study.
December 23, 2012
Ordo Salutis.
May 9, 2013
Short but great read about Wesley's Ordo Salutis.
November 25, 2015
Ok. Gives a good description of Wesley and his ideas.
Read
February 20, 2016read for school
August 1, 2016
Loved it.
November 7, 2016
Great book for an approachable, yet thorough discussion of the Methodist/Wesleyan understanding of the journey of faith.
September 14, 2013
4 1/2 stars...Part history, part theology! Worth the read!
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews