John & Charles Wesley , livre ebook

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John & Charles Wesley Selections from Their Writings and Hymns-Annotated & Explained
2011 Quality Paperback Edition, First Printing Introduction, annotations, and back matter 2011 by Paul Wesley Chilcote
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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
John & Charles Wesley : selections from their writings and hymns, annotated & explained / annotation by Paul Wesley Chilcote.
p. cm. - (SkyLight illuminations)
Walking together, finding the way.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 978-1-59473-309-3 (quality pbk.)
1. Wesley, John, 1703-1791. 2. Wesley, Charles, 1707-1788. 3. Methodist Church-Doctrines. I. Chilcote, Paul Wesley, 1954- II. Wesley, John, 1703-1791. Selections. 2011. III. Wesley, Charles, 1707-1788. Selections. 2011. IV. Title: John and Charles Wesley.
BX8495.W5J53 2011
230'.7-dc23
2011027397
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
Cover Design: Walter C. Bumford III, Stockton, Massachusetts
Cover Art: Photograph of stained glass window of the Wesley brothers by Steven Manskar
Manufactured in the United States of America
SkyLight Paths Publishing is creating a place where people of different spiritual traditions come together for challenge and inspiration, a place where we can help each other understand the mystery that lies at the heart of our existence.
SkyLight Paths sees both believers and seekers as a community that increasingly transcends traditional boundaries of religion and denomination-people wanting to learn from each other, walking together, finding the way .
SkyLight Paths, Walking Together, Finding the Way and colophon are trademarks of LongHill Partners, Inc., registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
Walking Together, Finding the Way
Published by SkyLight Paths Publishing
A Division of LongHill Partners, Inc.
Sunset Farm Offices, Route 4, P.O. Box 237
Woodstock, VT 05091
Tel: (802) 457-4000 Fax: (802) 457-4004
www.skylightpaths.com
For Frank Baker,
my mentor in Wesley studies,
on the 101st anniversary of his birth,
and for all of my students over the years
who have embraced the Wesleyan vision of
faith working by love leading to holiness of heart and life
Contents
Preface
Introduction
A Brief Overview of the Wesleys Lives
The Wesleys Literary Output
Charles Wesley s Hymns
John Wesley s Writings
Sermons
Theological Tracts and Treatises
Journals and Letters
Salient Themes in Wesleyan Theology and Spirituality
The Triune God of Grace and Love
The Way of Salvation
A Community of Grace
A Compassionate Mission
The Wesleyan Legacy
Part One Autobiographical Portraits: A Preacher of Grace and a Poet of Love
1. John Wesley
Annotations
Conversion to God
A Heartwarming Experience of Grace
Gratitude to God
The Birth of Methodism
A World Parish
Plain Words for Plain People
Concern for the Poor
A Definition of Religion
A Spirit of Toleration
2. Charles Wesley
Annotations
Evangelical Conversion
The Conversion Hymn
Discipleship in Mission
Pathos in Life
A Consecrated Heart
The Sweet Singer
Lost in Love
A Wide Embrace
An Inextinguishable Blaze
Part Two The Triune God of Grace and Love
3. The True God
Annotations
4. Trinity
Annotations
5. Creator
Annotations
6. Parent of All Good
Annotations
7. Free Grace for All
Annotations
8. Universal Redemption
Annotations
9. Incarnate Love
Annotations
10. The Work of Christ
Annotations
11. The Work of the Spirit
Annotations
12. Pure, Unbounded Love
Annotations
Part Three The Way of Salvation
13. A Dynamic Relational Process
Annotations
14. Repentance
Annotations
Human Brokenness
The Burden of Sin
Prevenient Grace
True Self-Knowledge
Jesus, the Sinner s Friend
15. Faith
Annotations
The Gift Unspeakable
Living Faith
Trust in Christ
Pardon
New Birth
Liberation
Assurance
Faith Working by Love
16. Holiness
Annotations
The Beginning of Sanctification
Sanctifying Grace
Growth in Grace and Love
Christian Perfection
Dependence on Christ
Restoration-Divine Therapy
Perfect Love
Holiness of Heart and Life
Part Four A Community of Grace
17. The Character of Community
Annotations
Covenant
Rule of Life
Accountable Discipleship
18. A Holistic Spirituality
Annotations
19. The Means of Grace
Annotations
Prayer
Scripture
Fellowship
20. A Eucharistic Vision
Annotations
The Richest Legacy
Chief Means of Grace
Converting Ordinance
The Dimensions of Grace
Memorial
Real Presence
Pledge of Heaven
Unfathomable Grace
Part Five A Compassionate Mission
21. The Church s Calling
Annotations
22. An All-Consuming Sacrifice
Annotations
23. Joyful Service to Others
Annotations
24. The Golden Rule
Annotations
25. Solidarity with the Poor
Annotations
26. Compassionate Action
Annotations
27. Challenging Injustice
Annotations
28. Waging Peace
Annotations
29. Genuine Christianity
Annotations
30. Boundless Charity
Annotations
Epilogue
Annotations

Abbreviations
Suggestions for Further Study
About SkyLight Paths
Copyright
Preface
Just the other day, I overheard someone say that Christianity spreads best through fascination. John and Charles Wesley had a way of making Christianity fascinating again for their time. My hope is that this small collection of their writings ignites the same fascination among readers who turn to this resource for spiritual insight and direction.
A number of rediscoveries triggered this fascination for the Wesleys. First, they introduced a revised vision of God. The Bible that they read proclaimed that God sent Jesus not to condemn the world, but to save it by loving it. This is the God they knew and longed for others to know. Second, once enraptured with this loving God, they created a movement that taught people how to love as they had been loved by Christ. They genuinely believed that love leads inevitably to a union with the One. Third, if disciples were to be fully formed or reshaped in love-into the image of Christ-they had to engage regularly in acts of devotion and worship, compassion, and justice. Only a holistic spirituality could form a holy people. Fourth, the Wesleys were wise enough to know that none of this could be done alone. The experience of God s love compels the community of faith to reach out with glad and generous hearts to all. The communities that the Wesleys formed made room and created safe space for others (hospitality), offered reconciliation and peace to the broken-hearted and the oppressed (healing), and lived in and for God s vision of shalom for all humanity and creation (holiness). I hope their