Description:
"I felt my heart strangely warmed."That was how John Wesley described his transformational experience of God's grace at Aldersgate Street on May 24, 1738, an event that some mark as the beginning of the Methodist Church.Yet the story of Methodism, while clearly shaped by John Wesley's sermons and Charles Wesley's hymns, is much richer and more expansive. In this book, Methodist theologian Jeffrey W. Barbeau provides a brief and helpful introduction to the history ofMethodism--from the time of the Wesleys, through developments in North America, to its diverse and global communion today--as well as its primary beliefs and practices.With Barbeau's guidance, both those who are already familiar with the Wesleyan tradition and those seeking to know more about this significant movement within the church's history will find their hearts warmed to Methodism.
Brief description:
Jeffrey W. Barbeau (PhD, Marquette University) is professor of theology at Wheaton College. A theologian, literary critic, and historian, he is the author of numerous monographs, anthologies, and edited books, including The Cambridge Companionto British Romanticism and Religion, The Spirit of Methodism: From the Wesleys to a Global Communion, and Religion in Romantic England: An Anthology of Primary Sources.
Review Quotes:
"For the last half century, Methodist historians and theologians have focused their energies on the life and thought of John Wesley. Collectively, this work constitutes a golden age in Wesley studies. We must now build on this work by exploring the rich and complex history of the Methodist movement after Wesley. In North America and around the world, Methodism easily ranks among the most dynamic and influential forms of Christianity in the modern age. Jeffrey Barbeau's The Spirit of Methodism is a splendid introduction to its charismatic leaders, animating beliefs, and global impact. For those who want to think about Methodism as a living religious tradition, I can think of no better place to begin."
--Jason E. Vickers, professor of theology, Asbury Theological Seminary