Unmasking Methodist Theology

by Clive Marsh (Editor), Brian E. Beck (Editor), Angela Shier-Jones (Editor)

Methodism is suffering an identity crisis. With great uncertainty about the future, owing to declining numbers and a relationship with the Church of England which seems to be getting closer, a collection of the finest theological minds in contemporary Methodism have written a book which shows how recent Methodist theology can be a resource for the future. At a time when the great Methodist theologians of recent years, Gordon Wakefield, Gordon Rupp and Leslie Weatherhead have died and not been replaced, this examination of the essence and roots of Methodist theology will be especially welcome. Throughout Unmasking Methodist Theology, the focus is on what Methodism is about and what it contributes to British Christianity. It also works out where Methodist theology may go in the future. its future? What are the key Methodist emphases? How will Methodism influence the future of Christianity? Also, the question of whether Methodism should remain institutionally distinct is always present. By tradition, Methodism has an active concern with both evangelism and social welfare and by means of its central organization it is able to coordinate efforts in these two specific directions. The book also asks challenging questions about how these two emphases may develop in the complicated modern secular world. Unmasking Methodist Theology is to be launched in good time for the next Methodist Conference (2004) and is certain to be the subject of major debate on that occasion.

Genres: Theology

248 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 2004

About the author

Clive Marsh (DPhil, University of Oxford) is senior lecturer and director of learning and teaching at the Institute of Lifelong Learning, University of Leicester, in Leicester, England. He is the author of many books, including Cinema and Sentiment: Film's Challenge to Theology and Theology Goes to the Movies: An Introduction to Critical Christian Thinking.

Reviews

[Casper Denck]

Cross-posted at http://nicodemist.wordpress.com/2010/...

Unmasking Methodist Theology is not principally about the actual substance of Methodist or indeed about the work of Methodist theologians themselves but is instead focussed on the (often decidedly non-systematic) method of Methodist thought. In particular, the book focusses on British Methodism since 1932. The book is comprised of a variety of short essays with the final section comprising in responses from both within and without global methodism. One of the most interesting themes running throughout the text was that Methodism has recently had a tendency to sideline the importance of Wesleyan thought and that this has been a mistake; a fruitful methodist theology will not accept as authoritve all that the Wesley’s said but in the focus on mission and emphasis on the universality of grace the Wesleys provided a useful primary resource for Methodist theologising. Two essays in particular stand out. The first by Clive Marsh (Appealing to Experience) emphasises that Methodism does appeal to experience but maybe not the right ones. His emphasis is that, in a similar way to Liberation Theology’s priority of praxis an emphasis on experience can have a liberative emphasis. In itself this is probably not that surprising but coming out of a Pentecostal background that developed out of the Wesyleyan-Holiness tradition whenever I hear of a Methodist appeal to experience I automatically think of an ecstatic individual encounter. The second essay by Clifford Longley (Methodism: Distinctive or Just Catholic?) offers a wonderful comment of the Catholic nature of Methodism and its emphasis on the sacraments. There are weaknesses in the book. One is related to a strength; the book is comprised by contributions by a large number of authors which conversely means that there are occassions where you wish more detailed discussion could be inlcuded. Secondly, whilst the book is full of general historical asides a separate article on the history of Methodism/the Union of 1932 would have provided a helpful context for non-Methodist readers.

[J. Ewbank · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was happy to read this book because as an American Methodist I am not as familiar with Methodism in Great Britain. It was a way for m to learn about what is going on there in our church. I found many interesting points but struggled a bit with the many contributors.

J. Robert Ewbank author "Wesley's Ways" and "John Wesley, Natural Man, and the Isms"