Practical Divinity: Theology in the Wesleyan tradition

Practical Divinity: Theology in the Wesleyan tradition
Author: Thomas A. Langford
Publisher:
Total Pages: 292
Release: 1998
Genre: Religion
ISBN:

This volume is a revision of Langford's earlier work, Practical Divinity: Theology in the Wesleyan Tradition (Abingdon Press, 1983). The major features of this revision include a treatment of the Boston Personalist School and the emergence of process thought. The revision also strengthens the ending of the first edition. Practical Divinity traces the growth of Wesleyan thought from Britain to North America and to other continents, and views it against the background of general historical and institutional developments. The volume also gives special emphasis to major theological voices that have been influential since Wesley's time. It traces the full sweep and strength of the movement, including churches and Holiness branches such as Nazarene, Wesleyan, and Free Methodist. Practical Divinity is the primary choice for textbook use in courses on Wesleyan/Methodist history, theology, and doctrine.

Practical Divinity: Readings in Wesleyan theology

Practical Divinity: Readings in Wesleyan theology
Author: Thomas A. Langford
Publisher:
Total Pages: 328
Release: 1998
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 9780687012473

This companion to Practical Divinity, Volume 1: Theology in the Wesleyan Tradition enlivens and contextualizes the discussion of the Wesleyan theological tradition, from Wesley through the twentieth century, offering a group of landmark documents that allow readers to experience the very life-blood of the movement. "Langford is to be commended for providing his readers with an insightful itinerary through the chronicle of significant figures and impulses which together constitute the matrix of the people called Methodists. The reader is challenged to grapple with the varied theological and cultural perspectives of voices that, though often divergent, still resonate with the pulse of a movement that has exerted a remarkably transforming influence upon the modern world." --J. Steven O'Malley, Asbury Theological Seminary, Wilmore, Kentucky.

Wesleyan Theology and Social Science

Wesleyan Theology and Social Science
Author: M. Kathryn Armistead
Publisher: Cambridge Scholars Publishing
Total Pages: 203
Release: 2009-12-14
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 1443818410

Science and religion are living, organic, and creative traditions. Both see humans as profoundly interconnected and in some way responsible for our environs. This worldview is especially true for social science and Wesleyan religious tradition. While the dance between science and religion will always be complex, it can also be enjoyable and mutually satisfying. However when couples dance only one at a time can lead and both have to acknowledge the importance of the other. This book is written with the conviction that theology and science can have a beneficial relationship if only both recognize their mutual value to the lives of persons. The Methodist tradition links the welfare of the body with care for the soul. Historically, ministry involved tending to physical and psychological needs of the Methodist band members but also to non-churched poor and imprisoned. Thus Methodists built places of worship, schools, orphanages, and hospitals. For John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, practical divinity always involved attention to whole persons including their living conditions and basic physical needs. He sought to improve life for all. Therefore throughout his life, Wesley was interested in theology but also scientific discovery as paths toward a better future. He believed that both were of value to help people move toward “perfection.” He even attended lectures and offered medical treatment in the first Methodist meeting hall in Bristol, England. As a scientific practitioner Wesley wrote the best selling book, Primitive Physic or An Easy and Natural Method of Curing Most Diseases using the cutting edge science of his day. Packed next to the Bible, this book traveled with countless pioneers as they settled the territories that became the United States. Methodism has a long tradition of using science and religion to carry out the biblical mandate to go into the world and make disciples for Jesus Christ. This book seeks to continue that legacy by bringing current trends in psychology into conversation with Wesleyan theology. Composed of essays that represent different psychologies and theological traditions, which trace their roots to Wesley, this book aims at creating a space where science and theology can partner and dance. In the book readers will find positive psychology, self psychology, object relations, family systems, moral psychology, and neuroscience in conversation with various theologies. Under this canopy, the contributors see themselves as “people called Methodists” seeking to follow the example of Wesley to use all available tools to enable persons to live fully and well.

Responsible Grace

Responsible Grace
Author: Randy L. Maddox
Publisher: Kingswood Books
Total Pages: 388
Release: 1994-10-01
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 1426763816

Of special focus in this reflective overview of Wesley's theological convictions is highlighting the practical-theological dynamics of Wesley's work and suggesting possible implications for contemporary attempts to recover theology as a practical discipline. Another distinctive focus of this work is a systematic consideration of the integration of theological emphases traditionally divergent in Eastern and Western Christianity. The author also closely examines the consistency of Wesley's thought throughout his career.

John Wesley, Practical Divinity and the Defence of Literature

John Wesley, Practical Divinity and the Defence of Literature
Author: Emma Salgård Cunha
Publisher: Taylor & Francis
Total Pages: 215
Release: 2017-12-12
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 1351395963

John Wesley (1703–1791), leader of British Methodism, was one of the most prolific literary figures of the eighteenth century, responsible for creating and disseminating a massive corpus of religious literature and for instigating a sophisticated programme of reading, writing and publishing within his Methodist Societies. John Wesley, Practical Divinity and the Defence of Literature takes the influential genre of practical divinity as a framework for understanding Wesley’s role as an author, editor and critic of popular religious writing. It asks why he advocated the literary arts as a valid aspect of his evangelical theology, and how his Christian poetics impacted upon the religious experience of his followers.

Doctrine and Theology in the United Methodist Church

Doctrine and Theology in the United Methodist Church
Author: Thomas A. Langford
Publisher:
Total Pages: 278
Release: 1991
Genre: Religion
ISBN:

This volume is intended to set in historical context the official United Methodist theological statements in the Disciplines of 1972 and 1988, and to foster reflection on and discussion of the 1988 statement.

Doctrinal Standards in the Wesleyan Tradition

Doctrinal Standards in the Wesleyan Tradition
Author: Thomas C. Oden
Publisher: Abingdon Press
Total Pages: 304
Release: 2008-02-01
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 1426761244

The history of Wesleyan family of churches doctrines What are our core beliefs? Doctrinal Standards in the Wesleyan Tradition, Revised Edition, narrates the history of the formation of Wesleyan doctrines, describing how they were transplanted from the British Isles to North American, how they became constitutionally protected in Wesleyan-rooted churches. The first edition of this book affected the outcome of the 1988 General Conference of The United Methodist Church as the delegates decided many then-disputed doctrinal issues. This revised edition addresses the continuing hunger for more precise and useful information on the doctrinal traditions of mainline Protestantism. Hence the arguments have been updated with more than 400 changes. Included are doctrinal statements for the Evangelical United Bethren, Free Methodist, Methodist Protestant, Wesleyan, Nazarene, African Methodist Episcopal Zion, Christian Methodist Episcopal, and African Methodist Episcopal Churches; as well as an outline syllabus of a Course on the Articles of Religion.

The Quest for Love Divine

The Quest for Love Divine
Author: Paul W. Chilcote
Publisher: Wipf and Stock Publishers
Total Pages: 363
Release: 2022-07-26
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 1666725447

Charles Wesley and early Methodist women shaped Wesleyan theology and practice just as much as John Wesley. All these pioneers in the renewal of the church engaged together in a quest for love divine. That journey led them to timeless discoveries related to God's grace, the liberating nature of life in Christ, the joy of Christian discipleship, and the sense of purpose to be found in partnering with God in the celebration of beloved community. The early Methodist people learned their theology by singing it. "Faith working by love leading to holiness of heart and life." "Accountable discipleship." "The rediscovery of a missional church." Discover the meaning of sound bites like these as you explore these themes and more.

Calvin vs. Wesley

Calvin vs. Wesley
Author: Don Thorsen
Publisher: Abingdon Press
Total Pages: 160
Release: 2013-10-15
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 1426775067

Congregations are made up of people with all sorts of theologies. Pastor Mike Slaughter even says that these can stand in the way of the church’s mission of social and personal holiness. But most people do not adopt a theology on purpose, mostly they merely breathe in the prevailing cultural air. The theology "de jour" seems to be Calvinist, with its emphasis on “the elect” and “other worldly salvation.” In fact, there is so much Calvinism saturating the culture, that some do not even know there is an alternative way of thinking about their faith. They don’t know where to go to find a viable option; they don’t even know the key words to search Google. So people are left thinking like Calvinists but living with a desire to change the world, offering grace and hope to hurting people in mission and ministry—loving the least, the last, and the lost. In other words, they are living like Wesleyans. This book shows what Calvinist and Wesleyans actually believe about human responsibility, salvation, the universality of God’s grace, holy living through service, and the benefits of small group accountability--and how that connects to how people can live. Calvinists and Wesleyans are different, and by knowing the difference, people will not only see the other benefits of Wesleyan theology but will be inspired to learn more. By knowing who they are as faithful people of God, they will be motivated to reach out in mission with renewed vigor. And they won’t be obstacles to grace and holiness, but they can be better disciples and advocates for Christ through service in this world.