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Type of bind: Paperback
Dewey Decimal Number: 230.7092
EAN num: 9780664226213
ISBN number: 0664226213
Label: Westminster John Knox Press
Manufacturer: Westminster John Knox Press
Quantity: 1
Page Count: 192
Printing Date: October 20, 2005
Publishing house: Westminster John Knox Press
Sale Popularity Level: 626220
Studio: Westminster John Knox Press
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Product Description:
Written by experts but designed for the novice, the Armchair series provides accurate, concise, and witty overviews of some of the most profound moments and theologians in Christian history. These books are essential supplements for first-time encounters with primary texts, lucid refreshers for scholars and clergy, and enjoyable reads for the theologically curious.
Wesley for Armchair Theologians engagingly presents the life and theology of John Wesley (1703-1791), the founder of Methodism. Written by prominent Wesley scholar William ('Billy') Abraham, who aimed to 'make Wesley come alive for those who would truly love to become armchair theologians,' the book is an excellent, entertaining, and expert guide to the work of this important Christian figure.
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Rated by buyers 
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As an Anglican seriously considering making the move to the Methodist Church, I grabbed up this book for reference and introduction. It was a wise move. William J. Abraham covered every angle that I was concerned with, and certainly kept me from hammering lots of questions to congregants and pastors alike in the congregation I was visiting and have now joined.
The easy to read explanations on John Wesley's foundation of the Methodist Church flowing from his background as an Anglican were made in ways to not seem as if the reader was in a theology course. Yet, they were exacting and covered key elements. The trinitarian theme was essential throughout the book.
Although I, personally, still have two other books on Wesley to cover, I'm personally glad I picked this one up first. The illustrations by Ron Hill were fun and added to the light reading.
Stephanie S Sawyer, author
Rated by buyers -
As a United Methodist minister and a spiritual descendent of John Wesley, I take a great deal of interest when someone I respect writes a book about Wesley's theology. This book is a well written introduction to Wesley by one of our best interpreters of his work. In writing this Abraham often has to decide which Wesley he wants to listen to. The young Wesley sometimes came out in a different place than the more experienced pastoral theologian of the later days. Fortunately, Billy Abraham is up to the task.
He spends the very first 2 chapters introducing us to Wesley, so that we have the background to place his theology in its personal and cultural place. He then moves to the primary doctrinal areas of Wesley's thought beginning with creation and original sin, moving through justification, regeneration and sanctification with a nice discusion of Christian perfection.
Perhaps most importantly he shows that Wesley was able to change theologically as practice taught him he was wrong.
All in all a breezy read on a theologian who doesn't lend himself to breezy thought. . For the Wesley neophyte this is a good place to start, due to both style and accurate presentaion of Wesley's thought. Recommend.
Rated by buyers 
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The Armchair Theologian series has made an outstanding contribution to the popularizing of the theology of the giants of Christian faith. Augustine, Aquinas, Calvin, Luther, and the other luminaries of the Reformation have all been examined and elucidated with good humour and good sympathy.
Abraham's book elucidates Wesley's life and theology with neither good humour nor good sympathy. Abraham takes great pains to nitpick each and every tenet of Wesley's belief system, and does so with a smugly superior attitude, not only to Wesley but to all Christians everywhere who do not share Abraham's theology. The opening of chapter eight, where Abraham parodies the attitudes toward sin of Roman Catholics, Lutherans, Presbyterians, Southern Baptists, and Methodists might have been amusing taken in isolation, but the book is peppered with such potshots at the belief systems of various Christian traditions.
No philosophy ever devised by any philosopher, and no theology ever devised by any theologian, has ever given a completely satisfactory explanation of "life, the universe, and everything." Aristotle and Aquinas couldn't do it, and Wesley's inability to do it is no reason for such extended negative criticism. It goes against the spirit of the Armchair Theologian series to spend so much paper and ink emoting over Wesley's shortcomings. Just set out the man's beliefs, succinctly point out the difficulties in a matter-of-fact fashion, and move on to the subsequent topic. Despite the carping and criticism, the discerning reader can see that Wesley was a towering figure of the Christian faith, and by no means the theological lightweight that Abraham makes him out to be.
To paraphrase the Brando line from "On the Waterfront," this book coulda been a contender. It turned out a journeyman.
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