Wesley and the People Called Methodists

by Richard P. Heitzenrater

This survey of the Wesleyan movement in the eighteenth century is the story of many people whose lives and thoughts are woven together in the developing theology, organization, and mission of Methodism. Wesley's own pilgrimage of faith is of course central to the emergence of Methodism, but we also see the contributions of many others--friends and critics alike--whose lives and thoughts helped shape the movement. Conflict as well as courage helped forge the distinctive Wesleyan emphases that constituted for them the "scripture way of salvation." We see the evolution of practical ways to nourish "holiness of heart and life" through the development of societies and schools, classes and bands, conferences and clinics, and many other forms of organization and mission that eventually secure Methodism into the social and religious fabric of British society.

Genres: History, Religion, Theology, Nonfiction, Church History, Christian, Faith

354 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 1990

Reviews

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

One would be hard-pressed to find a more thorough compendium of the life of John Wesley and the story of the early Methodists. I have read several biographies of Wesley and there was much here that I had never come across previously. Voluminous amounts of material must have been surveyed to produce such a thorough account. The details are so abundant and themes far-ranging that at times more background information would have been helpful. Overall, this is a great contribution to understanding the context, specifics, and impact of John Wesley and the early Methodist movement.

[Dominic Muresan · Rating 4 out of 5]

The long and overly complicated story of the methodists and their very very multifaceted leader. In 400 and so pages the author manages to paint the history of a set of communities that became very well organized under the scrutiny of their rigorous founder, John Wesley. The book powers through each and every conference with every point that was under discussion, and every decision taken after. From a renewal movement in the Anglican church, to its conflicts with both the Calvinists and the Moravians inside and outside, to the problems caused by its subsidiary status inside a church that didn't really like it in the first place.

Yet, by far the most interesting part is the story of the MAN himself, Wesley. A giant of faith as many, who quote him not knowing who he actually was, would say, his path was labyrinthine. Though his practical theology developed first, the underlining necessities would come after and bite his "bottom" with questions he didn't really have an answer for. Do we need to be assured of our justification? Do we need to feel it? At one point he himself, feeling a little down, would say that he actually was no Christian at all. The MAN was firstly, a man. A giant as he, was unsteady in his own faith. The story strays from being a hagiography and becomes quite familiar to normal experience. Yet his thought, and its interpretation among the people called Methodists deserves some more digging. What is it with experience that is so important? And what about tradition? We shall see in the following weeks.

8/10

[Nate Bate · Rating 4 out of 5]

Comprehensive history of John Wesley's life and what happened shortly after he died. Lots of source material included, and reads like historical narrative. It's a great book to have on your shelf as a reference book as well. My only complaint was that it was so detailed that it was very dry sometimes. Detail is good, but the details were mostly around the same themes that reoccurred through Wesley's life. This would not be a book for a casual reader.

[Russell Frazier · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book provides a great background to Wesley's life, his leadership, and the developments in early Methodism. It is very well written and reads like a novel. I appreciate the way that Heitzenrater provides the historical context for most of Wesley's writings. This is an invaluable source for the history of the early Methodist movement.

This review is for the second edition of this book.

[Kent Kessler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Don’t miss the Epilogue

If you enjoy reading about history, spiritual movements, and Wesleyan faith, read, but formative for you will be the epilogue. Read that but with your journal and truly reflect on your station. Much to agree with, but why? Within you could find a path forward harnessed to the life of John W.

[Joshua Pearsall · Rating 5 out of 5]

A powerful history of the Methodist movement in England and it's start in America before and up to the tragic split of the American & English Methodist. From the foundations of Methodism & it's massive variety of influences well beyond just John Wesley even though he was the most influential voice, to the persecutions of the Methodist, and so much more.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

An easy to read, though quite detailed, history of John Wesley and his historical spiritual journey within and without that resulted in what is today the Methodist Church. Rated four stars mostly because I enjoy history.

[Robert Conder · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book on the life of John Wesley and the people called Methodist. Heitzenrater did not sugarcoat the problems or disagreements. It is interesting and one that you will want to take your time in reading to understand it better.

[Chris Waks · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really great read on John Wesley and the beginnings of Methodism.

[Greg West · Rating 4 out of 5]

Terry Lindvall and I use this for our class on Methodism at Virginia Wesleyan University.

[Cathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very readable book about John Wesley and the Methodist movement. It reads more like a novel than a history book.

[Stephen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good work on the beginnings of Methodism in England and America

The work gives an overview of the Wesley brothers the start of Methodism in England and how it got to America.

[J.R. González · Rating 5 out of 5]

Buena introducción histórica acerca de como se forma el metodismo como movimiento.

[Denise Sudbeck · Rating 3 out of 5]

First reading, lots of information, very dry sledding.

[Anders Holmen · Rating 4 out of 5]

For those considering Methodism or Pan-Wesleyanism, this a great intertwining of both theology and history regarding the Wesleys and the Methodist movement.

[Johann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Surprisingly engaging. As another reviewer said, this book is written like a novel, which keeps it from being boring.

[David · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the story of John Wesley's physical, psychological, and theological journey throughout his life. He was a man who spent his time posing and answering religious questions based on his own experience and informed by the thinkers and seekers around him. It is a book suited especially for those seeking a historical and intellectual understanding of how, where, when Methodism was born and how it mutated and evolved into what was to become eventually known as the United Methodist Church. Interestingly, there is no anti-lgbtq sentiment or a sense of a traditionalist, fundamentalist, or literalist approach to the Bible or religion presented in this document, so that means that the divisive issues in the United Methodist Church today have no roots in Methodist, but, rather, must be an anomaly of our current times. There is a quest for "personal holiness" and self-improvement, and emphasis on moral and ethical living, and an emphasis on the primary two commandments: Love God, Love Others that are at the foundation of John Wesley's path.

[Jay Miklovic · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an excellent historic look into the life of John Wesley and other major players in the early Methodist movement. Well written and very honest regarding Wesley. One thing that I really appreciated about is that it was honest about the movement and didn't seem to paint it in an unbelievable light.

I am not going to take this space to offer a critique of the whole Wesleyan movement (and there are plenty of places for criticism), I only say that this is a great place to start if you want to see the historical underpinnings of Methodism.

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heitzenrater discusses the rich history of Methodism throughout this book. I thoroughly enjoyed reading about Wesley's life and the strong influence his mother Susanna had on their entire family. She provided a great example of women in leadership. This is a great book for anyone interested in Methodist history.

[David Finley]

I'm re-reading it. It's one of those I have to re-read to really understand.

[Nick · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an interesting and easy to read history of Methodism. If you or a friend is part of a Methodist church, this is an accessible way of learning about your tradition.

[Jacob Huppert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very Academic book. An in depth look at Wesley and the history that led to his leadership and then progressed into an last how Methodist came to be.

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read this for class and it was quite interesting.

[Bradley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this history of Wesley and the early Methodists.

[Chapel Heights]

2 copies