Kevin M. Watson – författare

The definitive history of the Wesleyan movement in the United States.

An expansive, substantive history of the Wesleyan tradition in the United States, Doctrine, Spirit, and Discipline offers a broad survey of the Methodist movement as it developed and spread throughout America, from the colonial era to the present day.

It also provides an theological appraisal of these developments in light of John Wesley''s foundational vision. Beginning with Wesley himself, Watson describes the distinctiveness of the tradition at the outset. Then, as history unfolds, he identifies the common set of beliefs and practices which have unified a diverse group of people across the centuries, providing them a common identity through a number of divisions and mergers.

In the midst of the sweeping changes happening in Methodism and the pan-Wesleyan movement today, Watson shows that the heart of the Wesleyan theological tradition is both more expansive and substantive than any singular denominational identity.

"A fresh, panoramic overview of the history of the Methodist movement. . . Promises to be a standard textbook on the history of Methodism for years to come." —TIMOTHY C. TENNENT, Asbury Theological Seminary

The stunning success of early Methodism as a disciple-making movement was made possible because of John Wesley’s genius in organizing believers into band meetings. This book powerfully demonstrates that the band meeting is not merely another church program, but is ultimately the basic transformational community that enables us to be “saved to the uttermost.” In our age of digital disconnection, we need Christian practices of community more than ever, as well as a clear sense of what “social holiness” actually is and why it matters. In The Band Meeting, two of the best theological minds have collaborated to help recover true social holiness through the band meeting. This volume is clear and readable, historically informed, and theologically rich.

The stunning success of early Methodism as a disciple-making movement was made possible because of John Wesley’s genius in organizing believers into band meetings. This book powerfully demonstrates that the band meeting is not merely another church program, but is ultimately the basic transformational community that enables us to be “saved to the uttermost.” In our age of digital disconnection, we need Christian practices of community more than ever, as well as a clear sense of what “social holiness” actually is and why it matters. In The Band Meeting, two of the best theological minds have collaborated to help recover true social holiness through the band meeting. This volume is clear and readable, historically informed, and theologically rich.

Perfect Love is a wake-up call to the people called Methodists. According to John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, God raised up Methodism in order to spread the central teaching of entire sanctification. The church has offered an unbalanced understanding of the gospel for too long. The promise of forgiveness and pardon through faith in Jesus Christ has been emphasized in many parts of the body of Christ. Initial conversion and new birth are good news indeed! But they are also just the beginning of the life that is promised to us in the Bible. Jesus came not only so that we could be forgiven, but so that we could have life abundantly.

Perfect Love is a wake-up call to the people called Methodists. According to John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, God raised up Methodism in order to spread the central teaching of entire sanctification. The church has offered an unbalanced understanding of the gospel for too long. The promise of forgiveness and pardon through faith in Jesus Christ has been emphasized in many parts of the body of Christ. Initial conversion and new birth are good news indeed! But they are also just the beginning of the life that is promised to us in the Bible. Jesus came not only so that we could be forgiven, but so that we could have life abundantly.