Reasonable Enthusiast: John Wesley and the Rise of Methodism

by Henry D. Rack

This biography sets Wesley and his movement against the background of his time, so that we can see the political, social and religious influences on growing Methodism. Full attention is paid to contemporary not only Charles Wesley and George Whitefield but also the Moravians and others whose movements influenced Methodism, both positively and negatively. John Wesley himself emerges as a truly human figure, with many weaknesses, not least where women are concerned; and we are left to wonder that his work created a movement which has lasted for more than 250 years. This new and updated edition incorporates an expanded and revised introduction which takes account of new developments in the field, while the original bibliography and supplement of the second edition have also been updated. A new preface is included, while in the main text of the book it is indicated where new work has filled gaps in the original coverage.

Genres: Religion, Nonfiction, Biography, Theology, History

656 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1989

Reviews

[Byran Smucker · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. A detailed and academic biography of John Wesley. This book helped me understand where evangelicalism in general and the Methodists in particular came from. I got the feeling at times that the author assumed more historical background from his readers than I had. And though I learned a lot about Wesley and the church history that surrounded him, I didn't feel like I got a great sense of the man himself. There seemed to be a disconnect between the uncertain and fretting young Wesley and the venerable and settled version in the final years of his life.

[Ana Parker]

Slavery has been abolished since its’ humble beginnings in the 1800s. Yet, it is a severe and understated detriment to the society in which we live today. Unfortunately, there was only so much the Wesleyans could do to stand up against the wiles of demonically charged slave owners. It was simply un-Christian to defend the murders of innocent African lives. The highly educated and elite were cowardess to the great Evils of early African American slavery. And thus today we see the generations of time rearing tensions unseen. Although the Wesleyans were monumental to the great theological beginnings of our nation, something was truly void without the leading of the Holy Ghost. The vigilance of Dr Martin Luther King Jr is most exemplary response in this American pursuit. The boldness to overcome the great evil is a example how real men love Jesus.
The Hood Theological Seminary holds these modern standards today. As Americans it is our duty to overcome the strongholds of Evil through prayer.
We are one in the Lord’s Will not our own.

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

About 100 pages in (Wesley is about to go to Georgia - a key formative moment), but its an excellent biography, even though (like all biographies of Eighteenth Century superstars) it's exhaustive beyond comprehension. Nonetheless, it's an admirable task that Rack tries to reconcile the spheres of enthusiasm and reason that Wesley aspired to. More to come.

[John Crowe · Rating 5 out of 5]

A leading production on the life of John Wesley. However, like the leading book before it, John Wesley and the Church of England, Rack's book failed to develop the theme of the patristic influence upon Wesley's theology and ministry. For that part of the story, I recommend reading Hammond's John Wesley in America: Restoring Primitive Christianity

[David King · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding, scholarly yet highly readable