A Real Christian: The Life of John Wesley

by Kenneth J. Collins

A Real The Life of John Wesley fills a void in available books in Wesleyan studies by providing a brief, solid biography that focuses on Wesley himself. While exploring Wesley's ancestry, birth, death, and every major biographical and theological event between, Collins also explores the theme of John Wesley's spiritual growth and maturation.

Wesley came to the conclusion that real Christians are those whose inward (and outward) lives have been transformed by the bountiful sanctifying grace of God -- what he termed real Christianity--and this he strove to obtain for himself. Real Christianity, as Wesley understood it, embraces both works of piety and mercy, the person and the social.

Genres: History, Biography, Christianity, Nonfiction, Religion

192 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 1999

About the author

American theologian Kenneth J. Collins is an internationally recognized scholar in the field of Historical Theology who has an ecumenical heart and who has produced a number of works in Christian Spirituality to reach a broad and energetic following. A popular and engaging speaker, Collins has given lectures in England, South Korea, Japan, Russia, Estonia, Costa Rica, Australia and elsewhere. Some of his works have been translated into Russian, Portuguese, Korean, Estonian and Chinese. He is a graduate of Princeton Seminary (Th.M.) and Drew University (Ph.D.) and has written and edited more than seventeen books and scores of articles. He currently serves as a professor of Historical Theology and Wesley Studies at Asbury Theological Seminary.

Reviews

[Nathalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this book to learn more about John Wesley and stayed because of his interesting love life lol, it reminds us that he was still human. Thankful for his contribution to Christian history and how he greatly impacted England with a religious revival. "Do you know you are saved?" -Torchlighters

[Eric · Rating 3 out of 5]

Collins has done a fine work in detailing out the life of John Wesley. However, I found it slow to start as he spends a couple chapters on the formation of Wesley's family before taking on the biography of Wesley's himself.

Wesley seems to have been a tremendous theologian, preacher, and ministry leader. However, he also seems like he was not the best people-person and was a terrible husband, definitely not a model to follow in the treatment of a spouse.

Overall "A Real Christian" is a good read, just slow.

[Joshua Pearsall · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you've listened to the lectures by Collins (Part 1: https://www.biblicaltraining.org/lear... Part 2: https://www.biblicaltraining.org/lear...) then this is a much more in depth look than the lectures. The Lectures are great and a wonderful free resource, but if you want to delve deeper into the history of John Wesley and what formed his theology, as well as those that came after him and the breadth of his impact, then this is a good read.

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Portrait of a Real Christian

This concise volume provides a comprehensive introduction to the life and work of John Wesley. The text explores Wesley's early life, his spiritual awakening, and the challenges he faced in his personal and professional endeavors. While the author could have delved deeper into the complexities of Wesley's marriage, this book serves as an insightful and informative overview of this influential figure.

[Ilena Holder · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked this book off the shelf in my public library. I am currently reading up on the formation of the church. I had no idea this tiny, thin book would be so mesmerizing! I enjoyed all the 'back story' of his parents and the huge amount of children they had (19!). The number was considered huge even back in that time period!

[Evan Hoekzema · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I thought it detailed John Wesley’s in a fair light, not seeking to soften the edges from a man who can often be seen through rose-colored glasses. Great insight on a man who inspired such a powerful movement through the Christian world.

[John Crowe · Rating 2 out of 5]

Good, but he could have said far more about the patristic influence via the Church of England, his family and while at Oxford plus connected it with his Georgia experience plus how often he used the phrases of the ancient eastern Christian writers in his preaching and writing.

[Michael D'Offay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Insightful read into the life of the great man.

[Justin Steckbauer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book about the life of John Wesley, great detail, and very informative. Could've been a bit more engaging, but overall I liked it and learned a lot.

[Jonathan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very helpful and smooth biography of John Wesley that quotes heavily from the primary sources and traces a consistent theme (being a "real Christian"). Pretty impressively done in just 159 pages!

[J. Ewbank · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book by Collins tells the story of John Wesley. Along with the story of John's life he tells what is going on in his life in both a religious sense and in a more personal sense. It is an excellent job of blending so you learn about the phases in Wesley's life as well as his tightening theology. An excellent job.

J. Robert Ewbank author "John Wesley, Natural Man, and the Isms" "Wesley's Wars" "To Whom It May Concern" and "Tell me about the United Methodist Church"

[Tina · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book traces John Wesley's life and development of theology. The author writes from a sympathetic viewpoint, but doesn't gloss over Wesley's imperfections. He comes across as a committed Christian, but a terrible husband.

[Stefani · Rating 4 out of 5]

"The best of all, God is with us!" A nice biography of John Wesley. He wasn't perfect, but he tried to love and serve those around him.