As If the Heart Mattered: A Wesleyan Spirituality

by Gregory S. Clapper

As If the Heart Mattered expounds on John Wesley's image of religion as a house by exploring three main the porch of repentance, the door of faith, and holiness (the house itself). Useful study helps include references to John Wesley sermons and Charles Wesley hymns. But this approach to spiritual life transcends Methodism and provides essential biblical truth applicable to all Christians. Questions for reflection or discussion are provided at the end of each chapter."Gregory Clapper creatively uses Wesley's model of the spiritual journey with solid biblical interpretation to provide a liberating approach to Christian spirituality. He wonderfully integrates the individual spiritual pilgrimage both into the life of the church and life in the world."--M. Robert Mulholland, Vice President, Asbury Theological Seminary"This book reaffirms the traditional terminology of heart religion, such as repentance, faith, and holiness, in such a way as to show how the affections of the heart are vital not only to personal formation but also to effective human relationships that lead to transformative action in the world."--Richard P. Heitzenrater, Professor of Church History and Wesley Studies, The Divinity School, Duke UniversityGregory S. Clapper is Professor of Religion and Philosophy at the University of Indianapolis and is Affiliate Professor of United Methodist Studies at Christian Theological Seminary. He has authored many articles and four books.

Genres: Religion

114 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 1, 1997

Reviews

[Mackenzie Johnstone · Rating 2 out of 5]

I thought that Clapper made some really great points throughout the book but his overall argument and purpose behind writing the book was lost on me. I had no idea why I was reading it until the very end and even then I'm still unclear what, if anything, Clapper was trying to achieve from writing it. I don't totally discredit it though, he does do a great job of laying out what Wesley thought and taught and I loved how he incorporated hymns at the end of each chapter!