Practical Divinity: Theology in the Wesleyan Tradition (Volume 1) [Paperback]

Thomas Langford (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1998

This volume is a revision of Langford's earlier work, Practical Divinity: Theology in the Wesleyan Tradition (Abingdon Press, 1983). The major features of this revision include a treatment of the Boston Personalist School and the emergence of process thought. The revision also strengthens the ending of the first edition.

Practical Divinity traces the growth of Wesleyan thought from Britain to North America and to other continents, and views it against the background of general historical and institutional developments. The volume also gives special emphasis to major theological voices that have been influential since Wesley's time. It traces the full sweep and strength of the movement, including churches and Holiness branches such as Nazarene, Wesleyan, and Free Methodist. 

Practical Divinity is the primary choice for textbook use in courses on Wesleyan/Methodist history, theology, and doctrine.

Product Details

• Paperback: 292 pages
• Publisher: Abingdon Press; Revised edition (November 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0687073820
• ISBN-13: 978-0687073825
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.1 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #280,397 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Langford and Grace, April 1, 2000

By 

C. Kris McPherson (Indiana) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Practical Divinity: Theology in the Wesleyan Tradition (Volume 1) (Paperback)

Thomas A. Langford's "Practical Divinity" does an excellent job scanning the history of Methodist theology, among both British and American theologians. The greatest insights of the book, however, are gleaned from Langford's opening chapter, where he spells out with remarkable insight and clarity an over-arching Wesleyan understanding of grace. Dr. Langford's special gift was his ability to see how God's grace touches all of life and all of Christianity, and this short chapter illustrates that gift beautifully, making it worth the cost of the entire book.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A solid effort, November 10, 2001

By 

Michael K. Turner (Nashville, TN USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Practical Divinity: Theology in the Wesleyan Tradition (Volume 1) (Paperback)

Langford's work is an impressive effort. It is the only attempt to do a "History of Methodist theology" and is, thus, a more substantial work than Chile's "Theological Transition in American Methodism."

Still, the work is only a starting point. At times, the theological figures he discusses are fairly arbitrarily put together and substantial points of difference are overlooked. Moreover, the work seems overly reliant on secondary sources. For example, the work, occasionally, exhibits incorrect information. Albert Taylor Bledsoe, for example, is referred to as Albert Turner Bledsoe. While this is an inconsequential mistake, it exhibits some of the over reliance on secondary sources that sometimes characterize the volume.

The next person to look at the history of Methodist theology would do well to examine the Methodist relationship with the theological traditions prominent in America. Also, the importance of figures such as Nathan Bangs, Wilbur Fisk, Daniel Whedon, Albert Taylor Bledsoe and the late 20th century Wesleyan Renaissance needs to be more thoroughly weighed.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Methodism Matures, October 24, 2006

By 

Readalots (South Texas, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Practical Divinity: Theology in the Wesleyan Tradition (Volume 1) (Paperback)

Professor Thomas Langford's "Practical Divinity" (revised from 1983 in 1998) narrates John Wesley's applicable theology through Methodist history. Citing the principal, and published, theologians and pastors through its 268-year history, this book speaks to the maturing nature of Methodist theology.

Aware that John Wesley's theological base originated in his early and collegial years, Langford begins his theological exegesis of Methodism's theology with brief glimpses into Wesley's earliest published materials from the late 1720s and early 30s. The character and application of Wesley's theology are explained. Langford understands, correctly, Wesleyan principles to be practical.

Grounded in Wesley, the professor then reviews key theologians (professors and preachers) from Methodism's beginning into the present generation. American and British theologians from the 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries are reviewed. The nature of 19th century German liberal Protestantism is informatively presented. The Holiness movement and diversity theory are diagnosed. Methodism's adoption of early 20th century Protestant liberalism and rush to social gospel is explained. The denomination's late 20th century emerging conservative awareness is briefly considered. In each review the character and application of Wesley's theology are applied. Wesley remains practical.

This book is thoughtful and thought provoking. Its 288 pages (paperback) are well resourced with 24 pages of endnotes. It is recommended to all seminarians, United Methodist students and pastors, and American history buffs.