Scan barcode
A review by ben_smitty
The Way of the Wesleys: A Short Introduction by John R. Tyson
5.0
Tyson's introduction is mesmerizing, pulling distinctive Wesleyan doctrines from John's sermons and Charles' hymns, combining beauty and reason.
One thing that surprised me about the Wesleys' doctrine is their open invitation for both believers and unbelievers to partake in the Lord's supper. The body and blood become the means of grace for both conversion and sanctification (a means, mind you, not a guarantor). I have always considered the invitation of the table to be an inclusive one; certainly from the parable of the wedding feast, one could gather that Christ is willing to invite all to His table to sup with him. I just didn't know that someone else believed the same thing I did, which was refreshing.
Tyson's explanation of "Christian perfection" as willful perfection helped me understand what the heck J Wesley meant when he preached that Christians could become perfect (he meant willfully perfect, albeit we will still make mistakes because of sin, but we could reach a state of desiring the will of God so much so that we could stop "wilfully" sinning). There were good recommendations throughout for further research, and the chapter on the Wesleyan spirit of ecumenism was a tear-jerker (no, seriously), ending with a beautiful plea for the unification of His church:
"Hasten then the general peace,
Bid Thy people's discord cease,
All united in Thy name,
Let us think, and speak the same:
Then the world shall know and own
God Himself hath made us one,
Thee their Lord with us embrace,
Sing Thine everlasting praise"
One thing that surprised me about the Wesleys' doctrine is their open invitation for both believers and unbelievers to partake in the Lord's supper. The body and blood become the means of grace for both conversion and sanctification (a means, mind you, not a guarantor). I have always considered the invitation of the table to be an inclusive one; certainly from the parable of the wedding feast, one could gather that Christ is willing to invite all to His table to sup with him. I just didn't know that someone else believed the same thing I did, which was refreshing.
Tyson's explanation of "Christian perfection" as willful perfection helped me understand what the heck J Wesley meant when he preached that Christians could become perfect (he meant willfully perfect, albeit we will still make mistakes because of sin, but we could reach a state of desiring the will of God so much so that we could stop "wilfully" sinning). There were good recommendations throughout for further research, and the chapter on the Wesleyan spirit of ecumenism was a tear-jerker (no, seriously), ending with a beautiful plea for the unification of His church:
"Hasten then the general peace,
Bid Thy people's discord cease,
All united in Thy name,
Let us think, and speak the same:
Then the world shall know and own
God Himself hath made us one,
Thee their Lord with us embrace,
Sing Thine everlasting praise"