John Wesley: His life and theology

by Robert G. Tuttle Jr.

Genres: Theology, Biography

368 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1978

About the author

Robert G. Tuttle, Jr., M.A. and Ph.D, retired E. Stanley Jones Professor of Evangelism from the Asburgy Theological Seminary.
Dr. Robert G. Tuttle Jr. received an A.B. from Duke University, 1963; a B.D. from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, 1967; a M.A. from Wheaton Graduate School of Theology, 1967; and a Ph.D. from the University of Bristol in England, 1970.
He served churches in North Carolina and Colorado before beginning a teaching career that took him to Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, Calif., to the Oral Roberts Graduate School of Theology, Garrett, and to the Evangelical Theological Seminary and Asbury Theological Seminary’s (Kentucky and Florida campusses).
He has preached and/or taught in practically every state in the United States and in more then 30 countries all over the world. He has published over a dozen books over the years and made contributions to several others.
He is the son of Robert G. Tuttle

Reviews

[Sharon Zink · Rating 3 out of 5]

This biography was presented in the first person and was well researched and well written. Every few chapters the author would write an analysis of what he had already presented, and that got to be too technical. He seemed to be really obsessed with "mysticism," and I never really understood what that meant.

[Will Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

    It was my very great privilege to have had this book introduced to me by its author, Dr. Robert G. Tuttle, Jr., when I took his course on the theology of John Wesley at the Graduate School of Theology of Oral Roberts University in the early 1980's. I return to the book nearly 40 years later because I have (perhaps unwisely) agreed to teach John Wesley's theology of grace to my Sunday School class the five Sundays of August.

    The bulk of John Wesley: His Life and Theology is written in the first person. Tuttle portrays Mr. Wesley, during the spring of 1788, shortly before his eighty-fifth birthday, telling us his story.

    In his Preface, Tuttle explains,

While completing an advanced degree on Wesley in Bristol, England, I took the first six months, reading ten to twelve hours a day, six to seven days a week, just to work through the primary sources alone. There were times when I felt I was "becoming" John Wesley--rising early, fasting one day a week, and practicing regular prayers. As I was reading, I felt that I could anticipate the mind of Wesley. So, why not give pen to my "little neurosis"? (p. 13)

    The result is a work of genius, which goes on my "To Be Read Over and Over" shelf. Here you may meet John Wesley and come to know him, warts and all. Tuttle does not hide Mr. Wesley's flaws, any more than Mr. Wesley himself would. And here you may see how a gracious and powerful God uses a mere human being to lead true revival.

    I will go into no further detail. Unfortunately, this work is no longer in print. Amazon offers its paperback edition for $877.95. It is available for significantly less money on ebay.com.

    If you are serious about following Jesus, this book could be of eternal value to you. If you can get it, please do so.

[David · Rating 3 out of 5]

The best thing about this biography is that it was inspiring. Tuttle focuses greatly on Wesley's experience at Aldersgate in 1738 when he "felt his heart strangely warmed" and for the first time in his life knew he was saved. About 250 of 345 pages of the book leads up to and discusses this point with the remaining pages on everything afterward (even though everything afterward was more than 50 of Wesley's nearly 90 years on earth). The story is inspiring, I was moved by Wesley's spiritual journey. Also, I felt I came away with a better understanding of Wesley.

That said, I believe there was much missing. Tuttle focuses almost exclusively on mysticism and the role it plays in Wesley's theology. Along with this, he does spend a lot of time on Wesley's theology of perfection, which makes sense as this is where he is most unique. Other points, such as his Arminianism and the resulting conflict with Whitfield or his famous "Quadrilateral" barely got mentioned. Such omissions make this biography less comprehensive then I had hoped.

Finally, the writing style is interesting and I am not sure whether I liked it or not. Each of the four sections began with a chapter, written as Wesley in the first person, reflecting later in his life on an earlier portion. The next few chapters, also as Wesley in the first person, tell the story of this period. The final chapter of each section is an analysis by Tuttle. It was interesting to read a biography such as this in first person, but if you are going to read Wesley in first person why not just read his journal? Along those lines, there are many times where the author goes from writing as Wesley to quoting Wesley and keeping the two separate is a bit confusing. I guess I am a prude, but I would prefer a traditional biography.

[J. Ewbank · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book by Tuttle is an interesting book on John Wesley. He uses the words of Wesley to talk about the events that are taking place and then makes a summary of his own in each section. There is not as much theology as history or biography in the book but what theology there is provides us with an interesting approach. Worth the read.

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

[Ben · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an interesting, although biased book. The author seemed very focused on the non-orthodox aspects of his theology instead of the majority orthodox views he held. The author seemed to thing the real Wesley was the pre-conversion (my words, not the authors) Wesley and not the post-conversion Wesley who was the catalyst for much true Christian revival.