Recapturing the Wesleys' Vision: An Introduction to the Faith of John and Charles Wesley

Rating:
Summary: A clear view of Wesleyan theology for anyone
Review: In this book, Chilcote has brought the theology of John and Charles Wesley to everyone-without watering it down. To the contrary, the Wesley's beliefs are concentrated and clarified. The sediment and debris have been removed to offer a clear view of what the Wesley brothers held dear about our relationship with God and each other. It is not unlike looking into a perfectly clear spring-the water might be very deep, but you can see straight to the bottom. This book is wonderful for pastors, laypeople, students, and anyone who wants to better know the Wesleys.

Rating:
Summary: A clear view of Wesleyan theology for anyone
Review: In this book, Chilcote has brought the theology of John and Charles Wesley to everyone-without watering it down. To the contrary, the Wesley's beliefs are concentrated and clarified. The sediment and debris have been removed to offer a clear view of what the Wesley brothers held dear about our relationship with God and each other. It is not unlike looking into a perfectly clear spring-the water might be very deep, but you can see straight to the bottom. This book is wonderful for pastors, laypeople, students, and anyone who wants to better know the Wesleys.

Rating:
Summary: Required reading for anyone in the Wesleyan/Methodist family
Review: Paul Wesley Chilcote's book, Recapturing the Wesley's Vision: An Introduction to the Faith of John and Charles Wesley (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2004; ISBN 0-8308-2743-9) is a unique contribution to the church and to Wesley studies. I say "unique" because of its balance. Chilcote strives to highlight the contribution both of the Wesley brothers made to the Methodist movement. He selects quotes from both the sermons and writings of John and the hymns of Charles to illustrate his argument that their goal was to restore balance to Christian discipleship, witness, and ministry.

Chilcote identifies four characteristics of Christian discipleship in which the Wesley's sought to restore balance:
1. The Message (Kerygma)
2. The Community (Koinonia)
3. The Discipline (Paideia)
4. The Servanthood (Diakonia)
Each of the four characteristics are broken down into two complementary parts. For example, The Message is composed of Free Grace and Inclusive Love. Within the proclamation of free grace the Wesleys sought to maintain a balance between faith and works. Within the preaching of God's inclusive love they sought a balance between word and Spirit.

Seeking to find and maintain balance between seemingly opposing ideas is one of the important hallmarks of Wesleyan theology and practice. Chilcote says "This synthetic or conjunctive approach is one of the most relevant aspects of Wesleyan theology for the contemporary church. I describe this approach as synthetic because it attempts to find a third alternative to opposing points of view that often tear people apart. This does not mean that you compromise the truth in order to walk an easier middle ground that is offensive to none; rather it means holding on to the truth you find on the left hand and on the right. This Wesleyan method can also be called conjunctive (as opposed to disjunctive) because it seeks to join things together, rather than permitting them to be pulled apart" (page 16). Given these polarized times in both The United Methodist Church and the world, in which either/or thinking seems to be the norm, Chilcote helps all who claim to live within the Wesleyan family of the Church that such behavior is contrary to their tradition. Professor Chilcote reminds us that the Wesley's consistently struggled to hold such things as faith & works, personal piety & social justice, heart & head, Christ & culture, and piety & mercy together rather than viewing them as in opposition to one another. When such balance is forsaken for the sake of gaining power or winning an argument, the church does damage to its relationship with Christ and its witness in the world.

Chilcote summarizes the Wesley's approach to Christian faith and life:
"Everything begins with the message (kerygma) of God's good news in Jesus Christ, the story of his death and resurrection. The experience of the gospel immediately draws us into a community (koinonia) where we can learn how to love. In the context of this new family, those who learn of Chirst receive the discipline (paideia) that is necessary for them to be nourished and grow in their faith. All Christians, however, find their ultimate purpose in servanthood (diakonia). Just as in Jesus' image of the vine and the branches (John 15), we are gathered together to learn how to love and are then sent out into the world to share that love with others. Or to use another familiar image, think for a moment about a whell and the forces that make it spin. The centripetal force, which persistently draws in toward the hub, is joined with an opposing centrifugal force that thrusts out toward the rim. The wheel of the Christian life turns as we are both centered in Jesus and sent in his name into the world in mission. You need both forces in your discipleship in you are going to live out an abundant life in Christ" (page 21).

This little volume (only 125 pages) needs to be required reading for all pastors and leaders, both lay and clergy, in The United Methodist Church. The end of each chapter includes pertinent quotations from Scripture and both John and Charles Wesley along with questions for personal or small group reflection and discussion. Paul Chilcote has given the people who claim the Wesleyan tradition as their home another wonderful gift. I pray that we will read, study, and learn from this gifted teacher.