JOHN & CHARLES WESLEY
Selections from their writings and hymns — annotated & explained
By Paul W. Chilcote. Skylight Paths. 260 pages. £14.99
ISBN 978 1 594 733 093
I have a lifelong passion for the hymns of Charles Wesley since singing ‘And can it be’ to Sagina, ‘O for a thousand tongues to sing’ and ‘Love divine, all loves excelling’.
He wrote 9,000 hymns. Everything, including those hitherto unpublished is now available on the internet*.
In recent years, John Wesley has experienced something of a rehabilitation in Reformed circles. He and his brother denied election, taught universal redemption and aspired to entire sanctification. This book by the chairman of the Charles Wesley Society, is a very useful guidebook to the distinctive Wesleyan teaching.
The book covers the salient themes. Part I gives autobiographical portraits of the brothers. Part II expands Trinitarian themes. Part III explores the way of salvation under repentance, faith and holiness. Part IV considers the Community of Grace, including a holistic spirituality, the means of grace and a eucharistic vision. Part V deals with Compassionate Mission, including solidarity with the poor, waging peace (!), all-consuming sacrifice and challenging injustices, among others.
So the Wesleyan vision is one ingredient in my spirituality which benefits from Puritan, Reformed Baptist, Pietist, Moravian, mystic and pre-Reformation giants like Ramon Llull (pioneer missionary to Muslims), Jacapone da Todi (Franciscan poet), Lutheran hymn writer Paul Gerhardt, for example.
The aim of this book is to fascinate and ignite. The scriptural lyricisms of Charles Wesley gives my soul wings. His friends said of him that he was ‘a man made for friendship’. This book will give you a taste and points the way for further avenues of study.
Mike Harris, Stonehaven
*http://www.divinity.duke.edu/initiatives-centers/cswt/wesley-texts/manuscript-verse
