John Wesley's Sermons: An Anthology [Paperback]

Albert Outler (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1991

Adapted from Albert Outler's 4-volume text The Works of John Wesley, this anthology of 50 of Wesley's finest sermons are presented in an affordable, convenient paperback. Arranged chronologically with introductory commentary by Richard Heitzenrater.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Albert C. Outler was, at the time of his death, Professor of Theology, Emeritus, at Perkins School of Theology, Southern Methodist University, Dallas, Texas.

Product Details

• Paperback: 572 pages
• Publisher: Abingdon Press (October 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 068720495X
• ISBN-13: 978-0687204953
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.8 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #245,051 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #60 in Books > Christian Books & Bibles > Protestantism > Methodist

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

30 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Good Place to Start, February 18, 2001

By 

"gam2saints" (Boston, MA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: John Wesley's Sermons: An Anthology (Paperback)

For those interested in catching a glimpse of what John Wesley wanted his Methodists to believe, this is a good place to start. Most of these 50 sermons were included in his Works (an official collection of his writings put together by Wesley himself), and they were intended to help guide those in his movement in understanding the basic theological ideas that he considered important. This anthology adds to the official selections a few selected by Outler from among Wesley's uncompiled sermons. These also give us an interesting look into Wesley's heart and mind.

One of the greatest strengths of this book is that each sermon is preceded by an excellent introduction. This sets the sermon in context and provides a clearer point from which to begin trying to understand what Wesley is saying. This is an excellent collection compiled by superb editors.

26 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Smart and subtle Christian theology, October 4, 2000

By 

Kim Boykin (New York, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: John Wesley's Sermons: An Anthology (Paperback)

John Wesley was the founder of Methodism, and this is a "best of" collection of fifty of his sermons, organized chronologically so that you can follow the development of his thought from 1730 to 1790.

The sermons are long and dense but carefully crafted, and the theology is powerful and nuanced. Many of the sermons deal masterfully with what I think is one of the toughest but most important juggling acts in Christian theology: maintaining both (a) that our salvation comes entirely through the overflowing grace of God and is in no way merited or achieved and (b) that it is vitally important that we do good, partake of the sacraments, read scripture, pray, and all that good stuff. Other sermon topics include religious bigotry, religious zeal, the use of money, the repentance of believers, and the omnipresence of God.

If you're interested in Christian theology and won't be too put off by Wesley's dry, dense writing style, I highly recommend this book.

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Look into the Mind and Theology of John Wesley, November 4, 2004

By 

Fes74 "Phil" (Wisconsin) - See all my reviews

This review is from: John Wesley's Sermons: An Anthology (Paperback)

The book contains 50 of John Wesley's sermons, all reflecting a door into the mind and theology of John Wesley. The book is edited by one of the late great minds of Wesleyanism, Albert Outler. I found the book to be very rewarding, allowing me to experience and have a deeper appreciation for John Wesley's theology, which to a large degree has been debated because of Wesley's different stands on certain issue's through out his life.
The sermons that Outler & Heitzenrater have selected for this book, allow the reader to know the heart of John Wesley, which Wesley expressed through out his life, and it allows the reader to have a grasp on John Wesley's theology as it grew through out his life time. The way that Outler and Heitzenrater do this, is by compiling the sermons of John Wesley in a chronological order allowing the reader to flow through one sermon to the next, and see John Wesley's theology unfold from a young man to a old man, kind of like unfolding a neatly rapped package with ribbon and bow. Finally near the end, in one of John Wesley's sermons entitled "On the Wedding Garment," we see Wesley restating his beliefs that he has held firm to since a young man, and this sermon is written a year before his death. I gave this book five stars, because of how the book of sermons was compiled and laid out, causing any Wesley reader or fan to desire the next sermon in order to see the evolution of Wesley's theology and his firm beliefs.