This lively history of the rise of Methodism charts the development of the movement from its unpromising origins in England in the 1730s to its major international importance by the 1880s. The book explores Methodism’s phenomenal growth in the British Isles, America, and around the globe, and the complex reasons for its wide-ranging appeal.
"This is an extraordinary book. It is jammed full of scintillating interpretations; it is beautifully written; and it conveys tremendous insight in a short compass. It will be recognized immediately as the classic work on the rise of Methodism."— Mark Noll, Wheaton College
"Clear, concise, original and formidably learned."—Eugen Weber, The Key Reporter
"Brilliantly provocative. . . . [A] masterful account."—Grant Wacker, Christian Century
Methodism: Empire of the Spirit
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"Always readable and with a crisp turn of phrase... an admirable introduction to this extraordinary subject." Ferdinand Mount, Times Literary Supplement "This impressive book is one of the best - and certainly one of the most lively - books on Methodism to emerge in years." John Walsh, Oxford University "a sparkling, landmark study whose timely international approach lifts Methodist history to a new and exiciting level." Richard Carwardine, Rhodes Professor of American History, Oxford University "This is an extraordinary book. It is jammed full of scintillating interpretations; it is beautifully written; and it conveys tremendous insight in a short compass. It will be recognized immediately as the classic work on the rise of Methodism." Mark Noll, Wheaton College "Clear, concise, original and formidably learned." Eugen Weber, The Key Reporter "Brilliantly provocative... A masterful account." Grant Wacker, Christian Century"
Book Description
This lively history of the rise of Methodism charts the development of the movement from its unpromising origins in England in the 1730s to its major international importance by the 1880s. The book explores Methodism’s phenomenal growth in the British Isles, America, and around the globe, and the complex reasons for its wide-ranging appeal.
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21 of 22 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
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This review is from: Methodism: Empire of the Spirit (Hardcover)
David Hempton's Methodism: Empire of the Spirit is a lively, big-picture history of the rise and decline of Methodism. I didn't think it was a history of the Methodist church, but rather the movement itself. The book really does not talk much to what attracted people to the basics of Wesley's philosophy but it does offer solid insight into how the movement spread across the globe.The book might have been better served had it devoted some time to explaining Wesley's early efforts in Bristol and other industrialized cities. It might also have spent time explaining the sense of community with the lower class people it so attracted. Also missing is what attracted people in America to the faith. Was it the message? Was it the organization? There had to be something that gave meteoric rise to the faith. But enough of what the book didn't contain. It tells the story of many important people who gave the faith its meaning and brought multitudes to the meetings. The appeal to women, blacks, the dispossessed, all owes a debt to people like Francis Asbury, William Taylor, or the unsung itinerant preachers on horseback. The faith traveled with soldiers of the British Empire to India, Austalia, Africa, and made inroads in Korea and to a degree in Latin America. All of this was possible through religious zeal. Other works have explored the growth of Methodism among American slaves (Eugene Genovesee's Roll, Jordan, Roll is a strong example), but Mr. Hempton takes the argument full circle. Not only does he describe the growth, but also the decline. A web page cites Methodism as having 14 million members in the United States, so decline does not necessarily mean extinction. The book is paced well enough that it should hold the readers attention. It tends to drag at times, but it is not overly long in the first place. It has some good statistics in the Appendix for any who enjoy such data. Methodist scholars and pastors will find many interesting tidbits in this book for sermons or other educational discussions.
21 of 22 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Scriptural Holiness,
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This review is from: Methodism: Empire of the Spirit (Hardcover)
This is a fine and fascinating book about a movement that changed the world. I rarely enjoy church history, but this is a well-written study, filled with anecdotes. It is a sociological and historical account; not reductionist, but not delving into spiritual maatters so much as how doctrine and practice led to the spread of the church.I am surprised at how much I like this book: anyone interested in Methodism or early American religion will find this book to be both fun and informatiave.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
For a dry subject the author did a great job,
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Methodism: Empire of the Spirit (Kindle Edition)
The author did a great job of writing this rather dry statistical, historical, information and I found myself fascinated. As a life-long Methodist and descendant of many, many Methodist preachers I actually learned some things I didn't know. I think all Methodists would benefit greatly by reading this book.
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First Sentence:
A revealing encounter took place between two eminent Victorians at a public meeting in Oxford in the early1880s. Read the first page Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
United States, North Atlantic, African Americans, American Methodism, North America, John Wesley, British Isles, New England, New York, Native Americans, Methodist Episcopal Church, American Methodists, Church of England, Francis Asbury, English Methodism, Courtesy of the John Rylands Library, Fall River, South America, Adam Smith, Collection of Hymns, Roman Catholic, Sister Flagg, Jabez Bunting, William Taylor, American Revolution New!
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Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Surprise Me!
A revealing encounter took place between two eminent Victorians at a public meeting in Oxford in the early1880s. Read the first page Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
United States, North Atlantic, African Americans, American Methodism, North America, John Wesley, British Isles, New England, New York, Native Americans, Methodist Episcopal Church, American Methodists, Church of England, Francis Asbury, English Methodism, Courtesy of the John Rylands Library, Fall River, South America, Adam Smith, Collection of Hymns, Roman Catholic, Sister Flagg, Jabez Bunting, William Taylor, American Revolution New!
Books on Related Topics | Concordance | Text Stats Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Surprise Me!
Citations (learn more)
This book cites 100
books:
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1
book
cites this book:
- Religion of the People: Methodism and Popular Religion 1750-1900 by David Hempton on 11 pages
- The Protestant Evangelical Awakening by W. R. Ward on 5 pages
- Perspectives on American Methodism: Interpretive Essays by Russell E Richey on 4 pages
- The Genesis of Methodism by Frederick A. Dreyer on 4 pages
- John Wesley by May McNeer on 4 pages
See all 100 books this book cites
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