Recapturing the Wesleys' Vision: An Introduction to the Faith of John and Charles Wesley

by Paul Wesley Chilcote

Scholar and teacher Paul Wesley Chilcote provides a full and clear introduction to the dynamic faith of John and Charles Wesley. The vital theology of John is skillfully gleaned from his voluminous writings. The corresponding faith of Charles is culled from his enduring hymns.
For students and general readers this book illuminates the vital balance the Wesleys found in Christian teaching that overcomes the often mutually exclusive options presented in other theological traditions. Chilcote shows that such a synthetic faith is not boring or irrelevant but transforming and life-giving, bringing together faith and works, Word and Spirit, the personal and the social, the head and the heart, mission and service.

Genres: Theology, Christianity, Church History, Faith, Religion, Nonfiction, Discipleship

115 pages, ebook

First published December 29, 2003

Reviews

[Cole Rogers · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Wesleys’ approach to the Christian life was what Chilcote describes as “conjunctive”. They saw many things in the Christian life were to be holding hands rather than fighting. The main take-aways for me are three fold.
1. Personal & Social
The Wesley’s advocated for both a personal experience/relationship with God shared among a household of faith. “The greatest means of increasing Christian affection is close conversation concerning the work of God on our own souls; speaking without reserve our trials, temptations, comforts and accordingly pleading with God for each other.”

2. Pulpit & Table
It is refreshing to hear how valuable the synthesis of the Pulpit/Table are. “And here the Eucharist functions in a special way: it makes the Word that is preached something we can touch, taste, and see. The pulpit proclaims a Word of good news to which the people of God are called to respond. But the Eucharist is the act of the whole church— a corporate declaration of the gospel word to all people.”
In my Baptist circles, it seems that churches don’t find communion a vital piece of the church gathering, and therefore schedule communion once a quarter. The question I keep asking is why not every week? Are the announcements and a sixth song really more important than time to feast on Christ, both through his word and at his table together?

3. Evangelism & Mission
Evangelism: proclamation of the Good News
Mission: living out the reality of Good News
It’s easy to think of evangelism like Ripley’s Believe It or Not: present Gospel fact, now believe it or not. What the Wesleys press for is that God desires us not just to share his story, but to “live the mission of Jesus in the world.” It’s not “liberal ideology” to care for people or to stand for justice; it’s godly. Evangelism and mission must be done together.

Overall, examining the Wesley’s theology and practice has really humbled me to not only deepen my love for God, but has encouraged me to live my life in service to our world. Not leading with truth, but leading with love that it might know the truth.

Favorite quote: “God has not chosen us for privilege. We are called to be servants, and the field of our service is God’s world. Our charge— our duty and responsibility as Christians— is to serve the present age” (93).

[Brent Harris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chilcote does a tremendous job extracting the dispositional and theological differences that made John and Charles Wesley (as well as their Methodist movement) unique. I especially loved his ability to draw out the conjunctive tensions that made this such a balanced (although difficult to maintain) move of God in the 1700's. I also gleaned much from his sections on works of mercy and piety in the last 2 chapters as they illuminated the way in which the Wesley's practised the incarnation in their day. This is a book for missionaries and theologians. This is a book for the historically interested, but most of all, it is a book that helps us wrestle with how to proceed as the North American church in our current day.

[Jason · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall, this was an enjoyable refresher on the different aspects of the Wesleys’ beliefs and practices. I enjoyed the excerpts from both John and Charles Wesley, and the book is brief enough that it never becomes too deep. My only issue keeping the book from 5 stars comes from its intention. The author states that the book is intended for people to get something from it whether they are well versed in theology and the Wesleys or not. In my opinion, the author misses this goal, instead publishing a book that might go over the heads of some while barely scratching the surface for others. To be fair, I didn’t go through the exercises at the end of each chapter, but the material wasn’t particularly new or remarkable to me. A decent book, and definitely worth reading, but it seems like, in trying to be a book to reach everyone, it will miss most people.

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very solid book on the ideas of John and Charles Wesley. Could easily be used for a Sunday school class. I read this for independent study, wanting to know more about the Methodist tradition. This book did exactly that and more. I look forward to reading more from this author.

[MaryMargaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book! In it I found the foundations for why I stay a member of the United Methodist Church. The conjunction of works of piety and works of mercy! Thank you Paul Wesley Chilcote

[Nick Jordan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible book. Intelligent, theological, Biblical, historical, pastoral, and all at a level useful for many church members.

[Wendy]

Very informative and readable!

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good book about the beliefs of Methodist.

[J. Ewbank · Rating 5 out of 5]

Paul Chilcote has given us an excellent look at the vision that the Wesley's had when they began to preach in the 18th century.

He has been able to recover the both/and in the theologies of John and Charles Wesley. In other words, there are many places in which Wesley keeps differing concepts in tension, but holds them together. This tension or both/and is what makes Wesley unique and so deep as a theologian who has a lot to say about our theological thinking today.

So often in the past Wesley has been explored to find only one of the poles and written as if he were only thinking about one, rather than doing the work necessary to find that Wesley realy is holding concepts in tension and a creative tension at that.

This is a solid work that should be kept close at hand for the scholar.

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

[Adrienne · Rating 3 out of 5]

I might not have chosen to read this myself, but it was required for a seminar I am in. However, I found it to be very interesting and a quick read.

As someone who has grown up in the Wesleyan tradition, this book was not earth-shattering. Pretty much everything about the theology of John and Charles Wesley was familiar to me. But it is valuable to see an analysis that makes use of the Wesleys' writing. Both John's sermons and letters and Charles' hymns were quoted extensively. That, for me, was the best part of this book. Chilcote's style is a bit uneven, but he is easy to read and for the most part, clear in his assertions. He chooses his quotations well, also. In sum, this was a good book and gave me an historical perspective on my own theological understanding.

[David Campton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not really an introduction to Wesleyan faith, as it presumes too much prior knowledge, but it is good at illustrating the characteristic both/and nature of Methodist thought, right across the board of theology and practice. Some of it perhaps wouldn't stand up under closer inspection, but it is still a useful personal or group study for those wanting to think a bit further about Methodist faith and practice, and actually, on returning to it a second time I am more convinced of its helpfulness, and have increased it's rating appropriately.

[Richard Fitzgerald · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this is an excellent study on the synthetic nature of Wesleyan theology. Scott Jones says we stand in the extreme center and Paul Chilcote, in this book, explains how we do this as Wesleyans. We are not those who strike out on a new direction, but hold diverse biblical understandings from various traditions in tension. Which actually does send us off in a new direction. This is a good and accessible book.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful examination of the both/and nature of Wesleyan theology. Recommend reading it with a group rather than as a stand alone book - you'll get a much richer understanding of the text by using the discussion questions at the end of each chapter.

[Robert D. Cornwall · Rating 3 out of 5]

A readable -- thoughtful -- study of what the author call's the Wesleys both/and spirituality. It is both rooted in tradition and open to the future.

Designed for small group study -- something the object of the study would appreciate -- recommended.

[CJ Pankey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great book and a must read for anyone who wants to know more about Wesleyan Christianity.

[Barrie Bliss · Rating 3 out of 5]

Amazing!!! the doctrine where you cannot separate faith from works, social love from Godly love, spirit from the word. the idea t is not either or but both and!

[Joe Iovino · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nothing very new here, but I think it would be great to work through with a small group that is new to Wesleyan theology.