Charles Wesley And The Struggle For Methodist Identity
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Charles Wesley and the Struggle for Methodist Identity
An important new study of the life and ministry of the Anglican minister and Evangelical leader Charles Wesley (1707-88) which examines the often-neglected contribution made by John Wesley's younger brother to the early history of the Methodist movement. Charles Wesley's importance as the author of classic hymns like `Love Divine' and `O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing' is well known, but his wider contribution to Methodism, the Church of England and the Evangelical Revival has been overlooked. Gareth Lloyd presents a new appraisal of Charles Wesley based on his own papers and those of his friends and enemies. The picture of the Revival that results from a fresh examination of one of Methodism's most significant leaders offers a new perspective on the formative years of a denomination that today has an estimated 80 million members worldwide.
The Invention and Reinventions of Methodism
Author: Andrew J. Cheatle
language: en
Publisher: Taylor & Francis
Release Date: 2025-03-06
This book focuses on the transformative journey of Methodism and tackles a profound question: How did a radical revival movement evolve into an established mainstream Church? With a global family of around eighty million, Methodism and its Holiness offshoots have come a long way since their origins as a fervent revival within the Church of England in the late 1730s. Once perceived as controversial and charismatic, early Methodists, led by John and Charles Wesley, preached salvation to unruly crowds, often facing fierce opposition. Despite its turbulent beginnings, the Wesleys skilfully kept the movement anchored to its Anglican roots, preventing it from fracturing entirely. This allowed Methodism to evolve into an established church while maintaining its distinct identity. The volume delves into the enduring legacy of early Methodism, exploring its theological influences and developments over time. With its identity wrapped up in dual focus on mission and holiness, Methodism’s impact on global Christianity is profound. From the Holiness movement to the rise of Pentecostalism, its early radical and charismatic practices still resonate in the Church today. Featuring essays from leading Wesleyan scholars, this book is valuable for anyone interested in the dynamic history and lasting influence of the Methodist tradition.
The Theology of Sanctification and Resignation in Charles Wesley's Hymns
Sanctification is a central theme in the theology of both John and Charles Wesley. However, while John’s theology of sanctification has received much scholarly attention, significantly less has been paid to Charles’ views on the subject. This book redresses this imbalance by using Charles’ many poetic texts as a window into his rich theological thought on sanctification, particularly uncovering the role of resignation in the development of his views on this key doctrine. In this analysis of Charles’ theology of sanctification, the centrality he accorded to resignation is uncovered to show a positive attribute involving acts of intention, desire and offering to God. The book begins by putting Charles’ position in the context of contemporary theology, and then shows how he differed in attitude from his brother John. It then discusses in depth how his hymns use the concept of resignation, both in relation to Jesus Christ and the believer. It concludes this analysis by identifying the ways in which Charles understood the relationship between resignation and sanctification; namely, that resignation is a lens through which Charles views holiness. The final chapter considers the implications of these conclusions for a twenty-first century theological and spiritual context, and asks whether resignation is still a concept which can be used today. This book breaks new ground in the understanding of Charles Wesley’s personal theology. As such, it will be of significant interest to scholars of Methodism and the Wesleys as well as those working in theology, spirituality, and the history of religion.