The Presence of God in the Christian Life: John Wesley and the Means of Grace

by Henry H. Knight III

Overview

While the most standard treatments of John Wesley's theology focus their attention on his distinctive 'way of salvation', they fail to provide a thorough examination of Wesley's 'means of grace.' This book offers the first detailed discussion of the means of grace as the liturgical, communal, and devotional context within which growth in the Christian life actually occurred. Knight shows how the means of grace together form an interrelated pattern that enables a growing relationship with God.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780810825895
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	11/01/1992
Series:	Pietist and Wesleyan Studies , #3
Pages:	271
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.50(h) x 0.75(d)

About the Author

Henry H. Knight III is Donald and Pearl Wright Professor of Wesleyan Studies at Saint Paul School of Theology in Kansas City, Missouri. He has served as a pastor in the United Methodist Church and has published several books and articles on Wesley's theology.

What People are Saying About This

E.Dale Dunlap

It is a must for anyone pursuing scholarly work on John Wesley's theology, and will be of real interest to anyone else who want to learn more about Wesley. It is one of those relatively rare books that is both profound and very readable and understandable.

Gordon F. Wakefield

...well-produced...marvelously comprehensive in that they avoid both formalism and enthusiasm...Knight has read Wesley with thoroughness...A valuable piece of work.

Editorial Reviews

It is a must for anyone pursuing scholarly work on John Wesley's theology, and will be of real interest to anyone else who want to learn more about Wesley. It is one of those relatively rare books that is both profound and very readable and understandable.

E. Dale Dunlap

...careful and balanced...

Candler School Of Philosophy Rex D. Matthews

...illuminates the shape of Wesley's thought...

Emory University Don E. Saliers

...well-produced...marvelously comprehensive in that they avoid both formalism and enthusiasm...Knight has read Wesley with thoroughness...A valuable piece of work.

Gordon F. Wakefield

...quite original...an interesting and ofter stimulating approach to Wesley's theology and system of piety which deserves careful reading...

Proceedings Of The Wesley Historical Society

...well worth publishing... Knight draws together several streams of recent scholarship to highlight the dynamic and relational nature of both grace and holiness in Wesley's theology...a very significant contribution to Wesley studies. More importantly, it is a contribution to the larger Christian community as we seek to understand the nature and nurture of Christian life.

Methodist History

With critically appreciative treatments of John Wesley's understanding of both baptism and the Lord's Supper, Dr. Knight has given a very fine appraisal of Wesley's understanding of the means of grace. The work is fully and carefully documented and there is much evidence of close acquaintance with both earlier and contemporary works on Wesley's theology. ...this new work is the first to attempt a systematic treatment of all the means of grace that John Wesley practised personally and encouraged his converts to do likewise. In spite of the danger of using a much over-worked cliche, Dr. Knight's study is an original (and very welcome) contribution to Wesley study.

The Evangelical Quarterly

...a most valuable study of Wesley's spirituality, freeing it from some misunderstandings and abuses and valuable not least in its examination of Wesley's sacramental theology...

Methodist Recorder

...illuminates the shape of Wesley's thought...--Don E. Saliers, Emory University

...careful and balanced...--Rex D. Matthews, Candler School Of Philosophy

...well worth publishing... Knight draws together several streams of recent scholarship to highlight the dynamic and relational nature of both grace and holiness in Wesley's theology...a very significant contribution to Wesley studies. More importantly, it is a contribution to the larger Christian community as we seek to understand the nature and nurture of Christian life.--Methodist History

From the Publisher