Orthodox and Wesleyan Spirituality

by S.T. Kimbrough Jr.

What can be learned about Christian faith and life in the original sources and authoritative witnesses of Eastern Orthodoxy and Wesleyan Methodism is boundlessly enlightening and life-giving. We thank God for raising up Christian scholars capable of offering these theological and spiritual treasures.-- Thomas Hopko, from the ForewordIn 1999, on the campus of St Vladimir's Seminary, Orthodox and Methodist leading scholars, clergy, and laity met to explore the roots of spirituality in both traditions. This volume explores the primary themes addressed at that holiness and perfection, the impact and influence of the Eastern Church upon John and Charles Wesley--the founders of Methodism--and the common foundational ground upon which the Wesleys and many of the Eastern Fathers stood. While there is much to be done toward establishing the direct channels of influence, the discourses of this volume will serve well the cause of discovering commonalities, as well as differences, in their theology and practice. One will find here foundation stones for building bridges of understanding and the deepening of spirituality.S T Kimbrough, Jr is Associate General Secretary of the General Board of Global Ministries of The United Methodist Church.

Genres: Theology

285 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 2002

Reviews

[John Lucy · Rating 3 out of 5]

The similarities between Greek Orthodoxy and Wesleyan faith are striking. The problem with this book is that it is a collection of essays rather than a progressing argument. Unfortunately this makes the connections between the two churches harder to find in the book. A careful reader will be able to make the connections and such on their own, but it would be nice if it were easier on the reader.

The essays in the book are each well-presented. And thankfully there is a holistic approach to the work, taking into account not just the theological writings of the two traditions but also journals of John and Charles Wesley, hymns, and anything else that is available for research.

For readers who themselves are Greek Orthodox or Wesleyan, this book will provide a good insight into your particular faith tradition. The authors are Wesleyan and Greek Orthodox, so every reader will have an inside and outside perspective, deepening the insights into each tradition.

[Richard Fitzgerald · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a collection of papers presented at St. Vladimir's Seminary on the roots of spirituality in the Methodist and Orthodox traditions. I found the articles to be very uneven in quality and adherence to the topic at hand. Some were very good at comparing and contrasting the two traditions (one far older than the other). Others simply ignored the Wesleyan side of the conversation. Further, many of the essays focused more on doctrinal issues than on spirituality. This book is worthy of engaging and has some brilliant chapters, but I was left vaguely dissatisfied.

[Alex Strohschein · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5/5. This is a collection of essays exploring the spiritual and theological affinities between Eastern Orthodoxy and Wesleyanism (the interactions with Wesleyanism are focused exclusively on John and Charles Wesley; the scholars do not engage with other figures from the Wesleyanism stream such as Francis Asbury or Phoebe Palmer). As with any such collection, some essays are better than others (I was particularly impressed with Tore Meistad's contribution entitled "The Missiology of Charles Wesley and Its Links to the Eastern Church"); while all the scholars engaged with the Eastern Orthodox tradition, a few of the Eastern Orthodox contributors barely explored Wesleyan spirituality. Richard P. Heitzenrater's essay "John Wesley's Reading of and References to the Early Church Fathers" was interesting as he busts the "myth" that John Wesley copiously read the Eastern Church Fathers (contra the earlier claims of Albert C. Outler) yet there is still wide agreement that Wesleyan theology has strong resonances with Eastern Orthodoxy, particularly in the belief that sanctification is an ongoing, lifelong process (similar to theosis or deification in the Eastern Orthodox tradition).

[John Crowe · Rating 5 out of 5]

This publication plus two others is the result of several years of work where we find a wealth of evidence based on careful scholarship documenting a significant amount of common ground between Orthodox and Wesleyan theology.

Kimbrough, Jr., S.T. (ed) (2005) Orthodox and Wesleyan Scriptural Understanding and Practice. Crestwood, NY: St. Vladimir’s Seminary Press.

_____, (ed) (2007) Orthodox and Wesleyan Ecclesiology. Crestwood, N.Y: St Vladimir’s Seminary Pr.


All of this work contributed to a powerful book digging into theosis and sanctification as seen in the book,

_____, and Bouteneff, P. (2016) Partakers of the Life Divine: Participation in the Divine Nature in the Writings of Charles Wesley. Eugene, Oregon: Cascade Books.