Crossing the Divide: John Wesley, the Fearless Evangelist

by Jake Hanson

How can Christians today reach a world that is becoming increasingly intolerant to the teachings of the church? John Wesley entered the scene of 18th century England with greater hostility than exists today in the West. His life and teaching offer the 21st century church a way forward. John Wesley forged his ministry through mobs, riots, and angry diatribes, yet this fearless evangelist found a way to reach the very enemies in need of transformation. This complex personality drove one of the most significant renewal movements of the English-speaking world, a movement that transformed the spirituality, morality, and work of the church for the next three centuries.

Genres: Christian, Biography

256 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2016

About the author

Jake Hanson is a graduate of Wheaton College (B.A.) and Beeson Divinity School (MDiv). A preacher and teacher, Jake also operates a web site (TheDecidedLife.com) devoted to biography, Bible study, and theology. He lives near Birmingham, Alabama with his wife Charissa and three girls.
Find out more about Igniting the Fire by going to IgnitingTheFireBook.com!

Reviews

[Alicja · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not Methodist but picked up this book because I heard John Wesley's biography was something else...and it sure was!

To any Christian, the life of John Wesley can stand as an encouragement. He is a shining example of work ethic and uneradicable optimism - one that saw situations as opportunities and often in spite of opposition - during his walk with the Lord.

Jake Hanson demonstrates great use of research, and I personally enjoyed that each chapter was subtitled with John Wesley's own words, which Hanson incorporated into each chapter.

Overall, Wesley's biography, written by Jake Hanson, is very easy and enjoyable to read and unlike a textbook; it never feels cumbersome in its information.

Recommend!!!

[Matt · Rating 5 out of 5]

This might be my new favorite biography of John Wesley. Not a theological work, nevertheless not neglecting Wesley’s theology, Hansen tells Wesley’s story. In doing so, he gives attention to the stories you know and some you don’t, or at least I didn’t, when it comes to Wesley’s sometimes turbulent personal relationships. A remarkable amount of material crammed into a smaller volume, it is a good layman’s introduction or a good refresher for a longtime admirer of Wesley.

[Ken · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good bio about John Wesley. I learned a lot from it. Like many heroes of the faith, Wesley lived a remarkable life, but he was flawed in many ways. He was confrontational in relationships. Sad to read that his marriage was unhappy. Some interesting English history.

[Eileen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review of Jake Hanson’s Crossing the Divide: John Wesley: the Fearless Evangelist

I was not well acquainted with the Methodist Movement in England and John Wesley’s participation and leadership of such movement beyond the attendance of membership class at a Free Methodist Church and my interest in Charlotte Bronte’s novels and her life as a daughter of a Methodist minister in Haworth, England. I now have a better understanding of Methodism and how God awakened, saved, transformed, and used John Wesley’s life to advance the Gospel and revitalize and challenge the Church of England.
I appreciate how Hanson showed John Wesley engaging with other theologians and movements preceding and during his time spent on earth, such as John Calvin and Calvinism. Hanson’s style of writing flows and is well organized. It is well supported and interweaves the accounts of Wesley’s journals and correspondence and interaction with contemporary theologians, George Whitefield, Charles Wesley, Jonathan Edwards, and Peter Bohler.
Hanson breaks down Methodism to its basic concepts: share the Gospel, bring new believers in Christian fellowship, and encourage them to pursue a life of holiness. Hanson depicts John Wesley’s many roles of service for God, as “fearless evangelist”, “controversial leader”, and “peacemaker”. Hanson carefully marks key turning points and trials in Wesley’s life in relationship with God, his family, and others. John Wesley crosses a main divide when God reaches out to him, delivers him from sin, and reconciles John to himself. Wesley crosses another divide when he branches out from the Church of England. He also persists against adversity as he preaches the Gospel and helps others find deliverance from sin and grow in their relationship with God.
Hanson asserts that John Wesley turned adversity into opportunity to share the Gospel, to allow the Holy Spirit to transform people’s hearts, and by faith bring them into a relationship with God. With humility John Wesley accomplishes his goals and faces down his fears to bring about the work of God. He takes his ministry to where the people are and shares the Gospel in response to when his or the lives of others are threatened by mobs.
Hanson asserts that John Wesley lead in a controversial way. The decisions Wesley made to take his preaching to the people in the fields, at the mines, and outside the four walls of the Church of England led people to believe that he was separating himself from the Church of England.
Hanson asserts that John Wesley was a peacemaker among the people, believers and nonbelievers. When opposed or threatened, Wesley responded with truth spoken with love in his heart.
Although in 21st Century America because of forethought of those who signed off on the Bill of Rights in the United States Constitution, ministers and evangelists are able to share the Gospel with people beyond the church walls. Hanson reminds his readers to face their fears, share the Gospel, enter into a relationship with God, and keep peace and compassion in their hearts. Jesus’ commission to the disciples to go into to the world and make disciples is still in effect today.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing in exchange for my honest review.

[Debbie Chatley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found “Crossing the Great Divide” a detailed and enlightening rendering of John Wesley’s life. This book is very timely to the current trends in society today, in that John Wesley faced extreme persecution and was in fact banned from the instituted church on many occasions. In fact, it seems as if controversy followed John wherever he went. “John Wesley very often used controversies and trials as opportunities for ministry.” The author lays out the historical facts of John Wesley’s life in a precise logical manner that enables the reader to understand the influences and experiences that made John Wesley the man he became. In this book, the reader learns about John’s childhood and how a traumatic experience during his childhood set the stage for his future role of evangelist. Then picking up from this event in his childhood, the author walks the reader through a detailed review of John Wesley’s life, focusing on his search for answers about God and the walk of faith. The book talks about 3 pillars of tradition, his study of the scriptures, and his experiences as the key things God used to overcome his defenses and reach his heart. The reader learns how God took a prideful John Wesley, and broke him through some life challenges during his time in the United States, to make him a humble servant who sought earnestly for holiness. John Wesley’s search for holiness caused him to question his faith, which eventually led to him finding true faith in God, and then then spent the rest of his life desiring that same freedom for others. In this book, the reader follows Wesley’s life as he spends 5 decades seeking a radical transformation for others.
So how is this review of John Wesley’s life relevant to us today? The key point of this historical review is the fact that while John Wesley faced intense persecution and opposition, he got innovative in his approach to reach others for Christ when the traditional roles of ministry closed its doors to him. While John Wesley was initially disappointed by the closed doors he faced, he found his greatest opportunity in the open fields (literally). During his lifetime, the author highlights how Wesley was able to joust with opponents both small and great. So this book can teach us today to get innovative and find non-traditional ways to share the gospel to the outcasts of society. To quote from the book on page 159, Wesley led the Methodist movement as an “outcast of men to outcasts of society”. Wesley has a passion for the poor and the outcast. He spent 50 years reaching out to the poor and needy and setting up ways to help them.
With that being said, I highly recommend this book to anyone seeking to understand the facts behind the man John Wesley or to anyone seeking to reach out despite opposition which should be all of us. In the Great Commission, Jesus told us to go and teach all nations but how do we do this in today’s society where the things of God are being pushed to the back, and in fact downright frowned upon. Well if we are to learn anything from John Wesley’s life it is that we may need to turn away from traditional methods of ministry to non-traditional innovative approach.

[Anne Rightler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Crossing the Divide, by Jake Hanson, is a well-written biography of John Wesley, whom the author calls, "The Fearless Evangelist". And fearless he was, as he boldly and relentlessly stood up to those who opposed his methods of preaching his somewhat controversial message of transformation and God's grace. After a failed mission ministry in America, Wesley returned to England and recognized his lack of inward holiness. He realized that all his rigorous self-discipline to fulfill God's law was for naught and that his heart needed to be changed and that could only happen through faith in Christ alone. The author brings the reader on an enlightening journey through the rest of Wesley's life. It was a life that was fraught with controversy as he began to preach outside the walls of a church building, "field preaching", changing his methods to be able to reach the many who would not enter a church. Wesley was derogatorily called an Enthusiast, told he was 'beside himself', accused of being prideful and yet God used this humble, faithful servant to bring the message of the transforming work of God to a world sorely in need. Hanson writes in an easily read manner, using Wesley's publications, letters and interactions with other contemporary evangelists and clerics to tell Wesley's story and to tell of the beginnings of the Methodist movement. In this amazingly well-researched life-story of a man who lived what he preached, Hanson urges readers to follow Wesley's example. Wesley serves "as a model for our generation to not merely lament the difficulties and disputes, but to view opposition as an opportunity to transform a world that is spinning out of control".
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing in exchange for my honest review.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Crossing the Divide" is a biography of John Wesley (including the beginnings of the Methodist movement). It's based on and included many quotes from his journals, letters, sermons, and various writings. The author provided a balanced view of John Wesley, showing both his strengths and weaknesses while remaining respectful of all he accomplished. The writing flowed well and was easy to read. The author picked interesting things to focus on but didn't get too in-depth on any one topic. I'd highly recommend this book to teens and adults.

The book started with John's childhood, education, relationship with his brother Charles, and their unsuccessful mission to America. When they returned to England, they struggled with "by faith alone" and found personal transformation. John's preaching on this and other topics put him in conflict with the Established church, so he dealt with a variety of theological controversies. His new viewpoint also meant that he pursued those who would normally not set foot in a church.

A friend convinced him to do open field preaching, and John created groups to teach the converts resulting from his preaching. We learn about how these groups worked, problems John faced in keeping the organization going and in his personal life, and how he organized his movement to last beyond his death. We also learn about his teachings on and efforts toward helping the poor and the sick and against social evils like slavery.

I received an ebook review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.

[Connie Saunders · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was aware of John Wesley and his ties to the Methodist Church but this book has shown me all of the many facets that make up this outstanding religious figure. Author Jake Hanson has extensively used Wesley's own words to showcase the real John Wesley. Letters, diary entries, journal notes and even his sermons allow us to view Wesley's triumphs and failures. Through these writings, we learn of his doubts about being a worthy servant of God and we are also shown some of his greatest achievements.

John Wesley was raised in a minister's home and he himself had been an ordained minister for thirteen years before he felt that he had finally received the transformation that a person can only gain through God's Word. He was married but this union was tumultuous and eventually ended in separation. His personal problems, however, did not deter him from revolutionizing the religion of his time and he was able to find a way to reach the very people who were so violently opposed to his teachings.

Today, some 225 years after his death, John Wesley is still a controversial figure and it is only through this excellent biography by Jake Hanson that I have learned just how influential John Wesley was, and continues to be! I applaud Mr. Hanson for his extensive research and the ability to show readers the real John Wesley!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing in exchange for my honest review.

[Jarrod Hill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jake Hanson has written another excellent biography. John Wesley's extraordinary life is offered to the modern reader in an entertaining and accessible fashion, yet the reader is continually cognizant of the historical setting in which the story takes place. In the midst of an incredibly successful Christian ministry, Wesley had a number of interesting episodes in his life: a childhood house fire, an unsuccessful mission trip to America, several unsuccessful romantic relationships, encounters with violent mobs, and even a continual effort of giving medical advice. The man was a brilliant organizer and a prolific writer. He could have seemingly made a small fortune utilizing his gifts for gain; yet he dedicated himself to saving the forgotten and dismissed members of society. Wesley's sincerity, charity, and humor come alive through the author's use of primary sources, and his determination and drive are depicted throughout the narrative of events in his life. In addition to being an informative historical study and an interesting story, Hanson's biography of Wesley challenges and encourages the reader to learn from Wesley's mistakes while emulating his unwavering devotion to the service of God and the care for his people. I recommend this book as an informative, entertaining, and edifying introduction to one of Christianity's most prominent figures in the modern era.

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Informative biography about John Wesley

Crossing the Divide by Jake Hanson is a biographical account of John Wesley’s life and ministry. It opens with John at the age of five and ends with his death at age 87. It includes information about his family, his ministry, and his personal life. It reveals contentions he faced from friends, former associates, and his own family members. The growth of his ministry as well as opposition he faced is also presented.

The book was very informative. It was very obvious the author had researched his subject well. I had a bit of trouble following the first portion I read, but that may have been because I had several interruptions at the beginning. The remaining portion was much easier for me to follow. The book is mostly chronological although there was occasionally some backtracking. I liked the fact that not only were Wesley’s strengths noted, but his weaknesses were also included. In my opinion, this book could easily be read by young teens to adults, depending on their interest level. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in learning about John Wesley.

I received a copy of this book through Barbour Publishing in exchange for my honest review.

[Teri-K · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm having a hard time deciding how I feel about this book. I appreciated the detailed look into Wesley's life, and the attitude that he was a man of God, but not perfect. I learned things I hadn't known about him - good and not. I did feel that the author got mired in the details and lost sight of the big picture.

Also, sometimes the author made value judgments about Wesley's actions and attitudes. That bothered me because no where in the book did I find anything that told me who the author was. What qualified him to say if Wesley was being a hypocrite, or judgmental, or other such statements? I think in a history book, those value statements are better left to the reader. Or else come out up front and let the reader know your background so they'll know the basis you're using to make such decisions.

So there's some good information here, but I felt the book lacked an overall focus, and the personal opinions of the author intruded into the text in a way I didn't like.

I received a free copy of this book in return for an unbiased review.

[Bruce Binger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jake Hanson far exceeded my expectations in describing, in just enough detail to keep me reading into the next chapters, John Wesley's life. Having absolutely no interest to read or learn anything about John Wesley before Jake asked me to review his writing, I started the book because of my respect for Jake as a friend and former college roommate. However, from the very opening pages Jake delivered an authentic, fresh, and transparent relationship between a servant and leader. Jake highlights Wesley's living on the edge of life as an a student, preacher, brother, son, revolutionary evangelist, and man of discipline living amongst challenges strewn throughout his personal and professional life. Throughout the reading about John Wesley, I felt encouraged, inspired, and enlightened in my own life's purpose. Moreover, I am propelled to know better my purpose in life so my leadership strength will endure the challenges in life as did John Wesley's leadership strengths. I'm looking forward and committed to reading every book Jake writes.

[Steven Breedlove · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jake Hanson’s Crossing the Divide is an excellent biography of John Wesley. His writing is lucid and engaging, and generally made the story of Wesley’s life approachable and interesting. He managed to write with full detail and description, and yet without distracting from the central path and narrative he was seeking to describe - something many biographies fail to do. His use of the details and anecdotes of Wesley’s life serve Mr. Hanson’s purpose, rather than detract from it, and it was easy to come away understanding both the central issues of Wesley’s life and the ways those issues played out in the incidents and struggles of the time. The story is told sympathetically, and yet this is no hagiography. Wesley is seen for what he was - a man absolutely devoted to his calling, and yet with genuine flaws and struggles. Mr. Hanson has done a fine job presenting the life of one of the great evangelists in a full, accurate, and delightful way.

[Melinda M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Crossing the Divide: John Wesley, the Fearless Evangelist by Jake Hanson is a biography. Jake Hanson does a wonderful job of making John Wesley seem real and shows a side of him that is often overlooked. He deals with the Wesley siblings, his marriage as well as his time in America. John Wesley is shown creating his ministry while facing, riots, mobs and against angry criticism. It gives you a good understanding of who John Wesley was as well as the beginning of the Methodist denomination's start. I enjoy history and biographies. this is a well researched and written biography which I would recommend especially for those interested in the 18th century, religious history as well as the period in American history that contains the Great Awakening. It is a good addition to any collection of history and biography books of important people of the 18th century.

I received this book thru a Goodreads Giveaway.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love history but sometimes reading books like these can become encumbersome and dry to read; but not Crossing the Divide!
Written in a conversational style, this book about John Wesley is easy to read with an ability to capture one's interest and keep it. With the flow of a work of fiction but written with the accurate historical facts, this book provides that picture of mind that provides clarity and understanding of not only the person at hand, but also the context within in which the person conducts day-to-day living. Jake Hanson has done well, very well.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing in exchange for my honest review.

[Janice · Rating 5 out of 5]

You will have to read the book to discover what exactly is meant by "crossing the divide"! You might be like me, knowing a little about this influential man, but I was quite impressed by all the information available and compiled. There was so much to be discovered about this great man! The best thing about this book is that it provided a background/culture in which John and his brother Charles lived. There were challenges everywhere: theological, philospohic, romantic, where to preach, how to serve, fighting slavery, etc. I especially enjoyed learning about the hymns penned and sung.
I received this book from Goodreads with an expectation of any review to be honest.

[Rhonda Ryser · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoy reading books about historical people and Crossing the Divide is a really interesting one. I like how the author goes into detail about the other members of John Wesley’s family. I have read other books on Wesley, but this one has more detail, especially about his time spent in America and his married years. It still amazes me how much time people spent on study and thinking before we had the distractions we have now. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn more about history and church history in particular.

[Sharon Powers · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'd always been intrigued by what I'd heard of John Wesley, but had never actually read about his life before now. Jake Hanson is proving himself yet again as an excellent biographer and storyteller, writing in a way that is intelligent yet accessible to everyone. He reels you in from the beginning with a riveting introduction that shines just enough light on Wesley's story to get you eager to learn all about what made him the "Fearless Evangelist".

[Deborha Mitchell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting...

This book was very interesting and encouraging. So much detail and all very well written. I appreciate the research done to make this book. I never knew anything about John Wesley and now I know pretty much everything there is to know about him.
I was given a copy of this book by Barbour Publishing in exchange for my honest review.

[Roxanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is Goodreads review win. I am a new Methodist so I was thrilled to win this book and learn more about the man who started the Methodist movement. I had no idea he faced so much trouble and obstacles trying to start his ministry.

[Margie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks for my advanced copy. Really enjoyed this piece of history..well written...full of interesting detail from such a long ago time.