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The Meaning of Pentecost in Early Methodism

Rediscovering John Fletcher as John Wesley's Vindicator and Designated Successor

Laurence W. Wood

John Fletcher's theology of Pentecost is generally unknown today, and this book is the first comprehensive treatise on this subject. His writings were in large part responsible for shaping the theology of early American Methodism, especially his treatise on Christian Perfection, which highlighted a theology of Pentecostal sanctification.

Wood recounts the decisive influence Fletcher had on early Methodism, and shows that his writings were able to "control the opinions of the largest and most effective body of evangelical clergymen of the earth." Fletcher's views on the Holy Spirit were also relevant in the ecumenical movement, specifically with reference to the World Council of Churches Commission on Faith and Order held in Lima, Peru, in 1982. This group recommended the introduction of a liturgy of the Spirit in Christian baptism.

For students and scholars or general readers interested in Methodist history and theology. Also a resource for pastors-helpful in developing a theology of Pentecost that will preach in a relevant way in the contemporary world.
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Scarecrow Press
Pages: 424 • Trim: 6 x 9
978-0-8108-4525-1 • Paperback • September 2002 • $103.00 • (£79.00)
Series: Pietist and Wesleyan Studies
Subjects: Religion / Christianity / Methodist, Religion / History
Laurence W. Wood is Frank Paul Morris Professor of Systematic Theology, Asbury Theological Seminary, Wilmore, KY and Editor of The Asbury Theological Journal. He has published numerous articles and two books on the subject of theology.
Chapter 1 ABBREVIATIONS
Chapter 2 FOREWORD
Chapter 3 PREFACE
Chapter 4 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Chapter 5 CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCING JOHN FLETCHER AND THE FORGOTTEN, LATER WESLEY
Chapter 6 CHAPTER 2: REDISCOVERING PENTECOST IN EARLY METHODISM
Chapter 7 CHAPTER 3: MISUNDERSTANDING AND RECONCILIATION OVER THE MEANING OF PENTECOST
Chapter 8 CHAPTER 4: TENSIONS OVER FLETCHER'S INTERPRETATION OF WESLEY
Chapter 9 CHAPTER 5: WESLEY'S AUTHORIZED INTERPRETER AND DESIGNATED SUCCESSOR
Chapter 10 CHAPTER 6: THE THEOLOGIAN OF METHODISM
Chapter 11 CHAPTER 7: THE DOCTRINE OF DISPENSATIONS
Chapter 12 CHAPTER 8: AN ECCLESIASTICAL DILEMMA AND PENTECOSTAL SOLUTION
Chapter 13 CHAPTER 9: THE PENTECOSTAL WESLEY AND HIS LATER SERMONS
Chapter 14 CHAPTER 10: THE ARMINIAN MAGAZINE AND PENTECOSTAL PERFECTION
Chapter 15 CHAPTER 11: THE PENTECOSTALISM OF MARY (BOSANQUET) FLETCHER
Chapter 16 CHAPTER 12: SOME EARLY METHODIST PREACHERS AND THE MOTIF OF PENTECOST
Chapter 17 CHAPTER 13: FLETCHER'S LEGACY IN AMERICAN METHODISM
Chapter 18 CHAPTER 14: FLETCHER'S LEGACY DISPUTED AS THE MEANING OF PENTECOST WAS DEBATED IN LATE NINETEENTH-CENTURY AMERICAN METHODISM
Chapter 19 CHAPTER 15: WESLEY AND FLETCHER ON THE ANGLICAN RITE OF CONFIRMATION
Chapter 20 CHAPTER 16: THE ECUMENICAL RELEVANCE OF FLETCHER'S PNEUMATOLOGY FOR THE LITURGICAL RENEWAL MOVEMENT
Chapter 21 A SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY
Chapter 22 INDEX
Chapter 23 ABOUT THE AUTHOR
This book is a bombshell....a refreshing piece of work written with verve and restrained passion. It highlights fundamental issues that can no longer be set aside or ignored.
— Dr. William J. Abraham, Perkins School of Theology, Southern Methodist University


Professor Wood deserves high praise for putting the record straight in his excellent historical analysis. His analysis is intellectually clear and satisfying. His superb historical research is convincing.
— Dr. Walter J. Hollenweger, Professor Emeritus of the University of Birmingham (United Kingdom)


Larry Wood's pioneer Fletcher research marks a milestone in Wesley Studies…Wood presents strong proof that Wesley not only did not distance himself from Fletcher's theology [of Spirit baptism], but rather put his imprimatur upon it, published it, and even preached it. This volume hopefully will lead to a much more informed discussion of Wesleyan theology and a more balanced assessment of how comfortable or uncomfortable Wesley might be with our contemporary Wesleyan expressions of preaching and living biblical holiness.
— Dr. Melvin E. Dieter, Professor Emeritus of Church History and Historical Theology, Asbury Theological Seminary


This book offers a well documented revisionist approach to Methodist studies, examining the career and influence of John Fletcher as related to the later career of John (and Charles) Wesley and other influential early Methodist preachers.
— Dr. Ted Campbell, President of Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary


• Winner, Winner of the Smith-Wynkoop Book Award sponsored by The Wesleyan Theological Society 2003

The Meaning of Pentecost in Early Methodism

Rediscovering John Fletcher as John Wesley's Vindicator and Designated Successor

Cover Image
Paperback
Summary
Summary
  • John Fletcher's theology of Pentecost is generally unknown today, and this book is the first comprehensive treatise on this subject. His writings were in large part responsible for shaping the theology of early American Methodism, especially his treatise on Christian Perfection, which highlighted a theology of Pentecostal sanctification.

    Wood recounts the decisive influence Fletcher had on early Methodism, and shows that his writings were able to "control the opinions of the largest and most effective body of evangelical clergymen of the earth." Fletcher's views on the Holy Spirit were also relevant in the ecumenical movement, specifically with reference to the World Council of Churches Commission on Faith and Order held in Lima, Peru, in 1982. This group recommended the introduction of a liturgy of the Spirit in Christian baptism.

    For students and scholars or general readers interested in Methodist history and theology. Also a resource for pastors-helpful in developing a theology of Pentecost that will preach in a relevant way in the contemporary world.
Details
Details
  • Scarecrow Press
    Pages: 424 • Trim: 6 x 9
    978-0-8108-4525-1 • Paperback • September 2002 • $103.00 • (£79.00)
    Series: Pietist and Wesleyan Studies
    Subjects: Religion / Christianity / Methodist, Religion / History
Author
Author
  • Laurence W. Wood is Frank Paul Morris Professor of Systematic Theology, Asbury Theological Seminary, Wilmore, KY and Editor of The Asbury Theological Journal. He has published numerous articles and two books on the subject of theology.
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
  • Chapter 1 ABBREVIATIONS
    Chapter 2 FOREWORD
    Chapter 3 PREFACE
    Chapter 4 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
    Chapter 5 CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCING JOHN FLETCHER AND THE FORGOTTEN, LATER WESLEY
    Chapter 6 CHAPTER 2: REDISCOVERING PENTECOST IN EARLY METHODISM
    Chapter 7 CHAPTER 3: MISUNDERSTANDING AND RECONCILIATION OVER THE MEANING OF PENTECOST
    Chapter 8 CHAPTER 4: TENSIONS OVER FLETCHER'S INTERPRETATION OF WESLEY
    Chapter 9 CHAPTER 5: WESLEY'S AUTHORIZED INTERPRETER AND DESIGNATED SUCCESSOR
    Chapter 10 CHAPTER 6: THE THEOLOGIAN OF METHODISM
    Chapter 11 CHAPTER 7: THE DOCTRINE OF DISPENSATIONS
    Chapter 12 CHAPTER 8: AN ECCLESIASTICAL DILEMMA AND PENTECOSTAL SOLUTION
    Chapter 13 CHAPTER 9: THE PENTECOSTAL WESLEY AND HIS LATER SERMONS
    Chapter 14 CHAPTER 10: THE ARMINIAN MAGAZINE AND PENTECOSTAL PERFECTION
    Chapter 15 CHAPTER 11: THE PENTECOSTALISM OF MARY (BOSANQUET) FLETCHER
    Chapter 16 CHAPTER 12: SOME EARLY METHODIST PREACHERS AND THE MOTIF OF PENTECOST
    Chapter 17 CHAPTER 13: FLETCHER'S LEGACY IN AMERICAN METHODISM
    Chapter 18 CHAPTER 14: FLETCHER'S LEGACY DISPUTED AS THE MEANING OF PENTECOST WAS DEBATED IN LATE NINETEENTH-CENTURY AMERICAN METHODISM
    Chapter 19 CHAPTER 15: WESLEY AND FLETCHER ON THE ANGLICAN RITE OF CONFIRMATION
    Chapter 20 CHAPTER 16: THE ECUMENICAL RELEVANCE OF FLETCHER'S PNEUMATOLOGY FOR THE LITURGICAL RENEWAL MOVEMENT
    Chapter 21 A SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY
    Chapter 22 INDEX
    Chapter 23 ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Reviews
Reviews
  • This book is a bombshell....a refreshing piece of work written with verve and restrained passion. It highlights fundamental issues that can no longer be set aside or ignored.
    — Dr. William J. Abraham, Perkins School of Theology, Southern Methodist University


    Professor Wood deserves high praise for putting the record straight in his excellent historical analysis. His analysis is intellectually clear and satisfying. His superb historical research is convincing.
    — Dr. Walter J. Hollenweger, Professor Emeritus of the University of Birmingham (United Kingdom)


    Larry Wood's pioneer Fletcher research marks a milestone in Wesley Studies…Wood presents strong proof that Wesley not only did not distance himself from Fletcher's theology [of Spirit baptism], but rather put his imprimatur upon it, published it, and even preached it. This volume hopefully will lead to a much more informed discussion of Wesleyan theology and a more balanced assessment of how comfortable or uncomfortable Wesley might be with our contemporary Wesleyan expressions of preaching and living biblical holiness.
    — Dr. Melvin E. Dieter, Professor Emeritus of Church History and Historical Theology, Asbury Theological Seminary


    This book offers a well documented revisionist approach to Methodist studies, examining the career and influence of John Fletcher as related to the later career of John (and Charles) Wesley and other influential early Methodist preachers.
    — Dr. Ted Campbell, President of Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary


Awards
Awards
  • • Winner, Winner of the Smith-Wynkoop Book Award sponsored by The Wesleyan Theological Society 2003

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  • Cover image for the book John Wesley And Marriage
  • Cover image for the book The Genesis of Methodism
  • Cover image for the book 'With One Heart and One Voice': A Core Repertory of Hymn Tunes Published for Use in the Methodist Episcopal Church, 1808-1878
  • Cover image for the book John and Charles Wesley: A Bibliography
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  • Cover image for the book 'Heart Religion' in the Methodist Tradition and Related Movements
  • Cover image for the book The Global Impact of the Wesleyan Traditions and Their Related Movements
  • Cover image for the book Perfectionist Persuasion: The Holiness Movement and American Methodism, 1867-1936
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