Jason E. Vickers - Böcker

A leading figure in the Evangelical Revival in eighteenth-century England, John Wesley (1703-91) is the founding father of Methodism and, by extension, of the Holiness and Pentecostal movements. This Cambridge Companion offers a general, comprehensive introduction to Wesley's life and work, and to his theological and ecclesiastical legacy. Written from various disciplinary perspectives, including history, literature, theology, and religious studies, this volume will be an invaluable aid to scholars and students, including those encountering the work and thought of Wesley for the first time.

A leading figure in the Evangelical Revival in eighteenth-century England, John Wesley (1703-91) is the founding father of Methodism and, by extension, of the Holiness and Pentecostal movements. This Cambridge Companion offers a general, comprehensive introduction to Wesley's life and work, and to his theological and ecclesiastical legacy. Written from various disciplinary perspectives, including history, literature, theology, and religious studies, this volume will be an invaluable aid to scholars and students, including those encountering the work and thought of Wesley for the first time.

As anyone familiar with both the stereotypes and the scholarship related to Wesley knows, tricky interpretive questions abound: was Wesley a conservative, high church Tory or a revolutionary protodemocrat or proto-Marxist? Was he a modern rationalist obsessed with the epistemology of religious belief or a late medieval style thinker who believed in demonic possession and supernatural healing? Was Wesley primarily a pragmatic evangelist or a serious theologian committed to the long-haul work of catechesis, initiation, and formation? Wesley: A Guide for the Perplexed sheds new light on Wesley's life and teaching, and aims to help students understand this enigmatic figure.

As anyone familiar with both the stereotypes and the scholarship related to Wesley knows, tricky interpretive questions abound: was Wesley a conservative, high church Tory or a revolutionary protodemocrat or proto-Marxist? Was he a modern rationalist obsessed with the epistemology of religious belief or a late medieval style thinker who believed in demonic possession and supernatural healing? Was Wesley primarily a pragmatic evangelist or a serious theologian committed to the long-haul work of catechesis, initiation, and formation? Wesley: A Guide for the Perplexed sheds new light on Wesley's life and teaching, and aims to help students understand this enigmatic figure.

A product of trans-Atlantic revivalism and awakening, Methodism initially took root in America in the eighteenth century. In the mid-nineteenth century, Methodism exploded to become the largest religious body in the United States and the quintessential form of American religion. This Cambridge Companion offers a general, comprehensive introduction to various forms of American Methodism, including the African-American, German Evangelical Pietist, holiness and Methodist Episcopal traditions. Written from various disciplinary perspectives, including history, literature, theology and religious studies, this volume explores the beliefs and practices around which the lives of American Methodist churches have revolved, as well as the many ways in which Methodism has both adapted to and shaped American culture. This volume will be an invaluable resource to scholars and students alike, including those who are exploring American Methodism for the first time.

A product of trans-Atlantic revivalism and awakening, Methodism initially took root in America in the eighteenth century. In the mid-nineteenth century, Methodism exploded to become the largest religious body in the United States and the quintessential form of American religion. This Cambridge Companion offers a general, comprehensive introduction to various forms of American Methodism, including the African-American, German Evangelical Pietist, holiness and Methodist Episcopal traditions. Written from various disciplinary perspectives, including history, literature, theology and religious studies, this volume explores the beliefs and practices around which the lives of American Methodist churches have revolved, as well as the many ways in which Methodism has both adapted to and shaped American culture. This volume will be an invaluable resource to scholars and students alike, including those who are exploring American Methodism for the first time.

American Protestantism has been the dominant form of Christianity in United States since the colonial era and has had a profound impact on American society. Understanding this religious tradition is, thus, crucial to understanding American culture. This Companion offers a comprehensive overview of  American Protestantism. It considers all its major streams-Anglican, Reformed, Lutheran, Anabaptist, Baptist, Stone-Campbell, Methodist, Holiness, and Pentecostal. Written from various disciplinary perspectives, including history, theology, liturgics, and religious studies, it explores the beliefs and practices around which American Protestant life has revolved. The volume also provides a chronological overview of the tradition's entire history, addresses its prominent theological and sociological features, and explores its numerous intersections with American culture. Aimed at undergraduate and graduate students, as well as an interested general audience, this Companion will be useful both for insiders and outsiders to the American Protestant tradition.

American Protestantism has been the dominant form of Christianity in United States since the colonial era and has had a profound impact on American society. Understanding this religious tradition is, thus, crucial to understanding American culture. This Companion offers a comprehensive overview of  American Protestantism. It considers all its major streams-Anglican, Reformed, Lutheran, Anabaptist, Baptist, Stone-Campbell, Methodist, Holiness, and Pentecostal. Written from various disciplinary perspectives, including history, theology, liturgics, and religious studies, it explores the beliefs and practices around which American Protestant life has revolved. The volume also provides a chronological overview of the tradition's entire history, addresses its prominent theological and sociological features, and explores its numerous intersections with American culture. Aimed at undergraduate and graduate students, as well as an interested general audience, this Companion will be useful both for insiders and outsiders to the American Protestant tradition.

Declining memberships. Pastoral scandals. A fear of secularism and the New Atheism. Christians are worried about the church's future. Despite such despair, Jason Vickers believes the church also sits upon the cusp of renewal. Some emerging voices promise to lead the church out of decay but focus only upon its structure, while others encourage the Spirit's work to the exclusion of all else. Minding the Good Ground organizes the multitude of voices and proposes a new way forward—rooting these renewal movements in a robust historical theology. Moving beyond quick-fix solutions, this new theological vision grounds renewal in the good and life-giving work of the Holy Spirit.

As a living tradition, Wesleyan-Methodism has continued to grow and develop through the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. Since their establishment in 1965, the Wesleyan Theological Society and Wesleyan Theological Journal have played a decisive role in stewarding the tradition's rich theological inheritance, with some of the most influential essays of the past sixty years appearing in WTJ's pages. The Wesleyan Theological Heritage brings these landmark essays together in a single volume for the first time. The result is a collection capable of serving not only as a reader for contemporary Wesleyan theology, historical studies, and biblical studies, but as a window into the issues and figures that have shaped both the last sixty years of the tradition and its future trajectory. The volume is divided into two parts. Part 1 looks back to the key themes and developments in Wesley studies, Early American Methodist studies, and Holiness Movement studies. Various models for interpreting John Wesley's writings emerge, as do questions of historiographical methodology, the impact of women leaders, and the influence of particular doctrines. Part 2 surveys the current state of Wesleyan scholarship as well as the issues at stake in its future trajectory. The volume further examines the contribution and place of Wesleyan theology within the ecumenical church and indicates new horizons of Wesleyan scholarship. Together, these essays give voice to the past, present, and future of the Wesleyan theological tradition, as well as the society and Journal's.

As a living tradition, Wesleyan-Methodism has continued to grow and develop through the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. Since their establishment in 1965, the Wesleyan Theological Society and Wesleyan Theological Journal have played a decisive role in stewarding the tradition's rich theological inheritance, with some of the most influential essays of the past sixty years appearing in WTJ's pages. The Wesleyan Theological Heritage brings these landmark essays together in a single volume for the first time. The result is a collection capable of serving not only as a reader for contemporary Wesleyan theology, historical studies, and biblical studies, but as a window into the issues and figures that have shaped both the last sixty years of the tradition and its future trajectory. The volume is divided into two parts. Part 1 looks back to the key themes and developments in Wesley studies, Early American Methodist studies, and Holiness Movement studies. Various models for interpreting John Wesley's writings emerge, as do questions of historiographical methodology, the impact of women leaders, and the influence of particular doctrines. Part 2 surveys the current state of Wesleyan scholarship as well as the issues at stake in its future trajectory. The volume further examines the contribution and place of Wesleyan theology within the ecumenical church and indicates new horizons of Wesleyan scholarship. Together, these essays give voice to the past, present, and future of the Wesleyan theological tradition, as well as the society and Journal's.

Declining memberships. Pastoral scandals. A fear of secularism and the New Atheism. Christians are worried about the church's future. Despite such despair, Jason Vickers believes the church also sits upon the cusp of renewal. Some emerging voices promise to lead the church out of decay but focus only upon its structure, while others encourage the Spirit's work to the exclusion of all else. Minding the Good Ground organizes the multitude of voices and proposes a new way forward - rooting these renewal movements in a robust historical theology. Moving beyond quick-fix solutions, this new theological vision grounds renewal in the good and life-giving work of the Holy Spirit.