Wesley: A Guide for the Perplexed (Guides for the Perplexed) - Hardcover

Jason E. Vickers

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 056703352X ISBN 13: 9780567033529

Publisher: T.& T.Clark Ltd, 2009

Synopsis

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.

About this title

Review

"A strong series of guides, aimed at the student market looking for more than just a basic introduction and overview on the subjects addressed. Each one is well written and contains enough information to get a student well-versed in the subjects at hand and form a strong basis for further study." Â Reviewed in Publishing News, 2008

'Vickers is to be commended for producing a synoptic vision of John Wesley's thought that is not just a great introduction for beginners but offers important new insights for those who have been studying Wesley for some time. He grounds Wesley in the particularity of eighteenth-century establishment Anglicanism, and uses this grounding to sketch a broad coherence among Wesley's ecclesiastical, political, and theological commitments. His central thesis is a landmark for future studies of these issues.' Randy L. Maddox, Professor of Theology and Wesleyan Studies, Duke Divinity School, USA

Vickers's book is worthy of a positive reception by Wesley experts while also serving as excellent entrée into Wesley studies for introductory students

Synopsis

John Wesley is one of the most enigmatic religious figures in the eighteenth century, this "Guide for the Perplexed" will identify some of the key factors contributing to this perplexity and aid students in their understanding.Arguably the most significant religious figure in eighteenth century England, John Wesley presents a variety of challenges for students. 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 proto-democrat or even proto-Marxist politically? Was Wesley 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? Was Wesley most deeply formed by Eastern Orthodoxy, German Pietism, or his own native Anglicanism?

Finally, was a particular conception of the relationship between faith and works or a robust Trinitarian view of the Christian life the orienting concern of Wesley's theological vision?Despite more than two centuries of scholarly reflection on Wesley's life and work, leading historians still agree on one thing: John Wesley is an elusive, enigmatic figure. Fortunately, recent developments in the study of the long eighteenth century have shed new light on many aspects of Wesley's life and work.

Edition details

• Publisher: T.& T.Clark Ltd
• Publication date: 2009
• ISBN 10: 056703352X
• ISBN 13: 9780567033529
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 144