Category Archives: Wesley

Richard Foster’s Spiritual Formation Agenda and Methodism

04 Wednesday Feb 2009

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Check out Richard Foster’s article in Christianity Today about his three priorities for the next thirty years.

Foster believes that Celebration of Discipline(a classic) succeeded in reviving the conversation about the formation of the soul but was much less successful in making this incarnate in the experience of individual, congregational, and cultural life. Thus, Foster points to what he believes needs to happen in the next thirty years for this to come to life: Individual renewal, Congregational renewal, and Cultural renewal.

I was thrilled (though not surprised) to see that a major focus in his discussion of congregational renewal was on fellowship and communal formation. He explicitly refers to Philip Jacob Spener’s collegia pietatis and John Wesley’s society, class, band structure.

I think Foster is basically right on, many people seem to give lip service to the importance of spiritual formation – even communal formation, i.e., small group accountability – but there often seems to be a discrepancy between our words and our actions. The early Methodists understood the importance of communal structures for individual formation and accountability. May Methodists once again lead the way in showing how to “watch over one another in love” so that we are known not just for what we believe, but for what we do – for how we live.

Wesley Said It: the Necessity of Social Holiness

03 Tuesday Feb 2009

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Directly opposite to this is the gospel of Christ. Solitary religion is not to be found there. ‘Holy solitaries’ is a phrase no more consistent with the gospel than holy adulterers. The gospel of Christ knows of no religion, but social; no holiness but social holiness.

From: The Works of John Wesley, Jackson Edition, “Preface to 1739 Hymns and Sacred Poems”, vol. 14:321.

The Wesley Study Bible: First Impressions

02 Monday Feb 2009

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In one of the best mail days I have ever had, I received my copy of the The Wesley Study Biblein the mail today. Here are my first impressions:

The Bible is wider than I thought it would be. I am sure the dimensions are easy to find online, but I never bothered to look at them. I would guess it is an inch or two wider than the other Study Bible I usually use. This is not a complaint, I really like the feel of it. It makes the Bible seem to be a little bit thinner.

The overall appearance of the Bible is great. The green and tan faux leather cover looks better in person than it does in the picture. The Bible also comes out of the box in good shape, but does not feel like it needs to be broken in. It is pretty “floppy” but the binding seems like it is solid, so it doesn’t feel like it is fragile or going to fall apart. It also lays flat beautifully from Exodus to the appendices. I can read both the Bible and the notes very comfortably. I also find the layout of the text and notes to both be attractive. The Wesleyan Core Terms and the Life Application Topics are set off in boxes that standout from the notes in a way that is distinct, but not obnoxious – and the Wesleyan Core Terms are easy to distinguish from the Life Application Topics. The only thing I don’t like about the appearance is that the end of the pages almost look like they were spray painted in a matte tan color that matches the tan cover. It is not a big deal, but it is the only part that looks a little bit cheap.

Since these are first impressions, my comments on the actual content of the notes and Wesleyan Core Terms and Life Application Topics will not be all that in-depth. (I will try to write a more substantive review once I have had a chance to familiarize myself with the contents of the notes and Wesleyan and Life Application terms.) My first impression is a good one, though. I looked up the Wesleyan Core Term “General Rules”, which is found in the notes under the Ten Commandments. I really liked the way the General Rules were explained – the three uses of the law are explained: convicting people of sin, bringing them to Christ, and guiding them in their Christian life. The summary of the General Rules is also very well done, mostly simply quoting directly from the General Rules. The third General Rule, in particular, is quoted and then explained – which I prefer to Reuben Job’s paraphrase “stay in love with God” in Three Simple Ruleswhich seems to alter the connotation and meaning of the third rule.

The Life Application Topics and Wesleyan Core Terms are both listed in the appendix in Biblical Order and alphabetical order. I found this to be helpful; however, I wonder why the terms are listed only based on the book that they are found in – chapter and verse is not given. The terms would be easier to find if they were listed based on chapter and verse, as well as page number. This is the only real criticism I had as a first impression. (However, it may also be a strength as it encourages people to actually thumb through the Bible, rather than just turning to the exact bit of information they want to pull out – like I was trying to do!)

My overall impression is a very positive one. I had pretty high expectations for this Bible, and they were met and even exceeded in some ways – mostly that the Bible is better looking and more comfortable to hold and use than I expected it to be. If you were thinking about buying this Bible but were not sure whether you should or not, I would say go for it.

You can buy the Wesley Study Bible from amazon.com herefor $32.97

or at Cokesbury here for special sale price of $24.95 plus s/h. (With s/h the price from amazon and cokesbury is nearly the same.)

Too Respectable for Holiness?

29 Thursday Jan 2009

Posted by in Book Review, links, Ministry, Wesley

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The final chapter of Frank Baker’s From Wesley to Asbury: Studies in Early American Methodismpoints to several key emphases of early Methodism, pointing to ways in which the heritage of American Methodism can inform contemporary Methodism. (This book was first published in 1976. Still, I found much of what Dr. Baker had to say in this final chapter to continue to be relevant.) The particular characteristic that Baker discussed was piety. He argues that “the first characteristic of the brand of religion that John and Charles Wesley brought Georgia was piety” (184).

Baker cites the early American Methodist affirmation that ‘God’s design in raising up the preachers called ‘Methodists’ was ‘to reform the continent, and to spread scriptural holiness over these lands’ as evidence that in the late 1700s Methodists embraced holiness (or piety). However, when Baker looks a hundred years down the road, he finds that the emphasis has changed:

A century later the Methodists, both in Britain and America, became too respectable for holiness, especially when it was overemphasized and underillustrated by fanatics. It is good to know that after the passage of still another century Methodist theologians are once more exploring the important truths underlined in Wesley’s teaching on Christian perfection. So much for our thinking. But what about our Christian living? Do we not still place too much importance on respectability, rather than on warm piety? Let us remember that piety does not mean a particular set of supposedly religious actions, but lives completely integrated with God’s purposes, or (as Wesley once described it), ‘loving God with all our hearts, and serving him with all our strength.’ In that sense our Methodist forefathers – even John Wesley before his heart was strangely warmed – can furnish us with both a message and a challenge. (186)

I find this to be a jarring quote. One that asks deep questions to contemporary United Methodism – and all denominations that claim a share in the Wesleyan tradition. There seems to be a growing interest in “reclaiming Wesley” in United Methodism. I remember being surprised in my Methodist History and Doctrine class that people all over the theological spectrum in the class seemed to feel that Wesley was articulating something that they believed, but hadn’t been able to previously articulate. On the one hand, I rejoice at the renewed interest in Wesley. On the other hand, I am sometimes alarmed at how often I hear people on opposite sides of the same issue trying to claim the Wesleyan high ground.

Baker pierces this in a profound way. One of the things that people should be able to agree on about what Wesley believed, or what it means to be a standard bearer for the Wesleyan tradition, is the central importance of holiness of heart and life for the Christian life. I think most armchair Wesleyan theologians can articulate this. However, in brilliant Wesleyan fashion, Baker pushes us past what we think to what we live. The question, then, is not: Did the early Methodists believe in the importance of holiness? Rather, the question is: Are Methodists today becoming holy? Nevermind what we say – what about our lives. What are we becoming?

I believe it is the answer to this question that will determine the future of Methodism: Are our lives, both individually and corporately, being “completely integrated with God’s purposes”?

Initially, Baker’s words rang true for Methodism “out there,” for the Church that I love, but is sometimes desperately trying to finds its way again. But then it came home. What about me? I am working to become a Methodist/Wesleyan scholar. Because of the quality of the school I am attending and the wisdom and knowledge that is being imparted to me through the people I am working with, I am confident that I will be able to reasonably articulate, as Baker says, “some of the important truths underlined in Wesley’s teaching on Christian perfection.” But if that is where it ends I may be a scholar of the Wesleyan tradition, but I would not be Wesleyan. And more importantly, I would miss out on the fullness of the Christian life.

Wesley also reminds me that my growth in holiness comes by God’s grace. May God grant me, you, and all who seek to follow Christ, the ability to cooperate with God’s sanctifying grace. May we not merely be a people with a holy past, but may we become a holy people. May we respect the gospel and our Savior too much to refuse to be sanctified through and through. May it be so, for Jesus’ sake.

The Class Meeting and Itinerancy

26 Monday Jan 2009

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In continuing to read Norwood’s The Story of American MethodismI came across some interesting analysis of the decline of the class meeting. Norwood connects the decline of the class meeting with the decline of the circuit riding preacher. Norwood writes:

The high point of the class meeting coincides with the heyday of the circuit rider. Its decline dates from his dismounting. As long as the traveling preacher was on the go around his circuit and from appointment to appointment, the place of the class meeting was secure. The class leader was needed to perform those pastoral functions which are part of a balanced ministry. But when the preacher settled down in a parsonage as a stationed pastor, the class leader… became, at least so it seemed, an unnecessary wheel. Inadvertently, because of the settling down of the traveling preacher, Methodism lost one of its strongest supports, the active ministerial participation of the lay people. (132)

This is not portrayed by Norwood as a positive development. Norwood concludes the chapter musing that “Ever since, Methodists have been trying to decide whether they would be a great church or a holy people.” When I first read this, I thought: Are the two mutually exclusive? I guess it depends on your definition of a “great church.”

The important point, it seems to me, is not that we should work to return to a truly itinerant ministry. Instead, it is that there is something vital missing when the active ministerial participation of the lay people (to use Norwood’s phrase) is missing. I see the class meeting as a key to renewing, strengthening, and empowering a lively lay ministry.

Norwood’s Goal for Methodists of 2066

23 Friday Jan 2009

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Today I started the reading for my independent study in the history of American Methodism. I am beginning with Frederick A. Norwood’s The Story of American Methodism: A History of the United Methodists and Their Relations

At the end of the Introduction Norwood tells of a document he wrote in 1966 that was put in a time capsule in Baltimore that was to be opened in 2066. Here is his hope for Methodism in 2066:

This is our hope for you, Methodist brethren of 2066: That our common heritage in Wesley may, as he himself always recommended, be placed in ‘catholic spirit,’ at the service of all Christians. If the Methodist Church in a hundred years matures into union with a larger ecumenical family, we rejoice in this fulfillment of our heritage. In this way the Wesleyan spirit shall enliven the whole.

I am certainly not against ecumenism or working towards greater unity within the Body of Christ. But this does seem to be a different focus than the stated goal of early Methodism to “reform the nation, particularly the church, and to spread scriptural holiness.” It would be great if our efforts to spread scriptural holiness were to lead to greater unity in the church. But, I would rather Methodists in 2066 be more effective at spreading scriptural holiness than they were in 1966 – or are now – than simply becoming a part of a super-mainline denomination that is primarily united by a willingness to spread nominal Christianity, rather than holiness.

History of American Methodism Reading List

22 Thursday Jan 2009

Posted by in Book Review, links, Wesley

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This semester I am looking forward to an independent study with Dr. Ted Campbell in the history of American Methodism. My first assignment is to come up with a proposed reading list for the semester. Here is what I have so far:

Methodism and the Shaping of American CultureNathan Hatch and John Wigger, eds.

Perspectives on American Methodism: Interpretive EssaysRichey, Rowe, and Schmidt, eds.

The Methodist Conference in America (Kingswood Series)Russell E. Richey

The Story of American Methodism: A History of the United Methodists and Their RelationsFrederick Norwood

Taking Heaven by Storm: Methodism and the Rise of Popular Christianity in AmericaJohn H. Wigger

Early Methodist Life and SpiritualityLester Ruth

A Little Heaven Below: Worship at Early Methodist Quarterly MeetingsLester Ruth

The Methodists and Revolutionary America, 1760-1800: The Shaping of an Evangelical CultureDee E. Andrews

Methodism: Empire of the SpiritDavid Hempton

The Methodist Experience in America: A SourcebookRichey, Rowe, and Schmidt

Other than the source book above, I will also be adding several primary source readings:

A Compendious History of American Methodism Abel Stevens

Doctrine and Discipline the one that is annotated by Asbury and Coke

Selections from The Journal and Letters of Francis Asbury

The Sunday Service

This should be a great class!

UM Social Media Experiment: The Results

21 Wednesday Jan 2009

Posted by in links, Ministry, Technology, Wesley

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Today concludes the two week time line for the experiment in Methodist social media exposure. There were 759 views of the YouTube video promoting Reclaiming the Wesleyan Tradition: John Wesley’s Sermons for Today There were 44 hits to the video when I discovered it and posted it on the Methodist blogosphere. At the end of the first week there were 619 views. This means that the momentum slowed down significantly after the first week as there were 140 views in the second week. (On the other hand, that is still more than three times as many views as the video had in its first six months of existence.)

Blake Huggins was surprised at how well the experiment was going in a comment he left on my post about the experiment at one week. Henry Neufeld, on the other hand, was disappointed with the results.

I am not exactly sure what to make of the results. I think the experimented would have been more successful if the video that was circulated had not been promoting a book generally, and promoting a book I co-authored more particularly. I noticed comments on several blogs that expressed that they were disappointed to find at the end of the video that it was just promoting another book. (Though I was also surprised that so many people seemed to feel that United Methodists have so much information out there about their books. I have tended to feel the other way, that not very many people know about United Methodist publications outside of a very committed group.) I was also a bit disappointed that the views of the video decreased so rapidly in the second week.

On the other hand, I was surprised that more than 25 bloggers linked to the video in some way on their blog. And I do think it is significant that simply passing on a video was able to revive a video that was basically dead on YouTube. A change from 44 views in 6 months to 715 views in 2 weeks is a significant change. I think that this experiment does show that there exists a significant group of Methodists who are willing to work together in some capacity to raise awareness and get the word out. The big question is: Get the word out about what? Over the last few weeks I have found myself dreaming about the ways that the blogosphere could be used as a resource for helping to better get the Wesleyan message out there – not just to other Methodists, but more deeply into the emerging church and other places where meaningful conversations are happening about what it means to be a Christian, how to live faithfully, the meaning of life, etc.

As I indicated in the original post about this experiment, I will write a letter to the folks at Discipleship Resources and the General Board of Discipleship letting them know about the experiment and encouraging them to think about ways to use the internet as a means of communication and ways to work with Methodists who already have a presence and audience on the web. I will pass on any response that is appropriate to publicly communicate.

In the meantime, what are your thoughts about the experiment? Do you see anything more than this can point to or lead to?

Update: Experiment in UM Social Media Exposure

14 Wednesday Jan 2009

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After one week the YouTube video about Reclaiming the Wesleyan Traditionhas received 619 hits (it had 44 when I discovered it a week and a half ago). The video also now comes up on the second page if you search “Wesleyan” on YouTube. So far the video has been posted on 25 different blogs and has been mentioned on two other blogs that I have found.

Here are the folks who have contributed: Hit the Back Button to Move Forward, Step by Step, Friar’s Fires, McKinney Methodist, Divers and Sundry, Stress Penguin, A Walking Paradox, Sunday’s Child, A United Method, Speaking of Grace, UM Portal, Adventures in Revland, Methoblog, Threads from Henry’s Web, My Ramblings, Thoughts of Resurrection, Thoughts from Nick, Accountable Discipleship, Matt Judkins, A Long Obedience, BlakeHuggins.com, Craig Adams, Ramblings from Red Rose, Fuzzy Thinking

The experiment was also mentioned at The Wesley Report, and Allan R. Bevere

If you have not participated in this experiment and would like to, all you have to do is post the you tube video below on your blog.

The original post about this project pointed to a desire to see how much attention Methodist bloggers could bring to one thing if we collectively talked about it for two weeks. As this has developed I have found myself hoping that this will help folks at GBOD, Discipleship Resources, and other folks who are trying to get our message out there realize that there is a tremendous resource in the Methodist blogging world. (Though, this is certainly not to say that the methoblog is a promotional service for Methodist agencies, just that it might be a good idea to keep us in the loop.) At perhaps a deeper level I have also found myself wondering if there are ways that we can work together to raise awareness of our Methodist/Wesleyan heritage. Are there ways that we can focus on what unites us and together build even more momentum and more of a presence on the web? I would love to hear your thoughts on this.

(Full disclosure: I co-authored the book that is promoted in the video. If you want to see how this video was chosen, or why this experiment was started you can read the original post I wrote when I found the video on YouTube and the post that Gavin then wrote – which was what gave me the idea to do this.)

Seeking Feedback on Asbury Biography

13 Tuesday Jan 2009

Posted by in Book Review, links, Wesley

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Last week, in studying for my upcoming field exam in 17th and 18th century Church History, I realized that Francis Asbury was probably the person who was a key figure in the 18th century who I had the least amount of information about. So, I did a few quick searches and came across America’s Bishop: The Life of Francis Asburyby Darius L. Salter. So, I did something completely out of character, I made an impulse purchase and bought the book.

The book arrived yesterday and it appears to be a serious and substantial biography of Asbury. The text is 362 pages followed by an additional nearly 20 page Bibliography and more than 50 pages of notes. However, there are a few things that make me wonder about this book. First, I could not find any academic reviews of it on the major search engines through Bridwell library. It seems to me that what appears to be the first in depth biography in decades would have been reviewed in a journal somewhere. In other words, why aren’t academics saying anything about it? (On the other hand there is an endorsement from Russel E. Richey on the back cover of the book, and I could have just missed the reviews.) Second, it is published by Francis Asbury Press. At first glance this seems very fitting for a biography of Francis Asbury. However, I would have guessed that Abingdon or someone of the like would have jumped at the chance to publish a major biography of Asbury. And finally, I would have guessed that a book like this would have been written by an expert in American Methodism, rather than someone with a PhD in psychology and religion.

None of these mean that the book isn’t going to be a terrific study of the life of a key figure for American Methodism, they just have made me wonder if I am missing something. So my question is, have you read this book or heard anything about it? Am I missing anything? And are there other biographies of Francis Asbury that you have read and would recommend?