Organic Wesley: A Christian Perspective on Food, Farming, and Faith

by William C. Guerrant Jr., Matthew Sleeth (Foreword)

Thanks to globalization, and scientific and technological achievements in industrial agriculture, food has never been more abundant and less expensive than it is today. But these changes have come with a cost - obesity, illnesses, environmental degradation, the demise of the family farm and traditional animal husbandry.

When choosing food these days we must navigate the competing claims of the industrial system and the contemporary food movement - organic versus conventional, whole foods versus processed foods, free range animals versus caged animals, locavores versus globalization - the choices are seemingly endless.

Does our faith tradition speak to these issues? Are there moral, spiritual, and religious implications to our food choices? How do we make sense of the frequently contradictory, sometimes overwhelming, and often bewildering, set of messages coming from the food industry and the contemporary food movement?

John Wesley and the early Methodists were no strangers to these very issues. Wesley and his followers recognized the importance of nutritious diets, moderation in consumption, the humane treatment of animals, and the ethics of food choices in ways that may be surprising to Christians today. Organic Wesley: A Christian Perspective on Food, Farming, and Faith examines the intersection of the teachings of John Wesley with the ethics of the contemporary food movement. Wesley's teachings can provide us with guidance as we seek to make food choices that are consistent with our Christian values - the choices that are best for our bodies, our fellow creatures, our communities, the environment, and all of creation.

100 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2015

Reviews

[Peter Migner · Rating 3 out of 5]

good book, but after the first half of the book it just repeats itself. But still great content in the book and worth the read.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great insight on the unethical and unhealthy practices of the food supply industry. I’m inspired to be a better steward of the body God has given me. To cook more, eat locally & buy ethically produced meat, eggs & chocolate for example. Taking care of our bodies honors God. Interesting how gluttony and unhealthy eating has higher rates in churches and pastors. We must eat and do all things thankfully and prayerfully.

[Clay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Wesleyan theology, engagement with writings of Wesley and other food movement voices, and great pacing of a read! Check it out, I'll be changing my food habits for sure.

[Sharon Hardin · Rating 4 out of 5]

You don't have to be a Wesleyan or Methodist to appreciate this book, but it would probably help. Interesting read, especially given the current trends to eat local and eat organic. Wesley's insights may have been ahead of his time.

[J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

You don’t need to be a Methodist or Wesleyan to appreciate this book – Christians of many different shades and stripes will find the juxtaposition of John Wesley with the contemporary food movement, to be a heartening reminder that our daily food choices are of great importance to a life of faith.

With chapter titles such as: The Rise of Industrial Agriculture and the Emergence of the Food Movement, Eating in Moderation, Farm Animals, Globalization and Local Economies, Recovering a Wesleyan Food Ethic and other provocative titles – this is an insightful book that holds a mirror up to our modern American food system, and through the lens of John Wesley’s recorded writings, encourages us to see our food and health as an integral part of our Christian faith.

Akin to the agrarian perspectives of Wendell Berry, Norman Wirzba and others, Organic Wesley offers us a reminder that food and agriculture, the earth and our bodies, are all subject to the Kingdom of God – and that we are stewards of these gifts – whether wise or foolish remains our choice.

For the full book review please visit: http://sustainabletraditions.com/2016...

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a spin on WWJD -- more so, what John Wesley do if he were alive today ... based on his writings and the work of other Wesley scholars, Guerrant looks at our current climate and provides insight into this incredible founder of Methodism. I had to read it with my highlighter on hand as there are so many poignant points in this book that are worth repeating in workshops, Sunday School and sermons. Wesley was convinced that God's original plan for humanity included healthy bodies -- we should not wait until the resurrection to start bringing our bodily head in line with God's plan. So, what would he say to our fast food addiction, processed foods, CAFOs, chemical based farming, localization, globalization and basically -- the food movement? Simply ... poor health dimishes a person's ability to do good for others. Awesome book; I'll refer to it regularly!

[Chuck · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent read. Insightful, informative, and inspiring. The book both challenged me and encouraged me.