From Logos,
Unlock the heritage of the Wesleyan tradition with a personal library of both classic and modern Methodist, Holiness, Wesleyan, and Nazarene writers and theologians. With resources focusing on four main areas of study: biblical studies, theology, preaching and ministry, and classic works, the Methodist & Wesleyan Library Builder personalizes your library at an enormous discount. From John Wesley to Thomas C. Oden and Joel B. Green to Adam Clarke, this library is sure to meet the needs of any pastor, student, or layperson ready to learn, pray, worship, and teach the Word.
This library is divided into four sections:
- Commentaries
- Classics
- Ministry
- Theology
In the section on theology, Logos has included these resources:
- Christian Theology by Adam Clarke
- Discourses on Various Subjects Relative to the Being and Attributes of God, Volumes 1–3 by Adam Clarke
- A Compendium of Christian Theology (3 vols.) by William Burt Pope
- The Living God—Systematic Theology: Volume One by Thomas C. Oden
- The Word of Life—Systematic Theology: Volume Two by Thomas C. Oden
- Life in the Spirit—Systematic Theology: Volume Three by Thomas C. Oden
- Methodist Theology by Kenneth Wilson
- When Christ Comes Again by George P. Eckman
- Ethics and Atonement by W.F. Lofthouse
- The Atonement in Christ by John Miley
- Theological Institutes by Richard Watson
All of these are important, but there is this notion that early Methodists (any date seemingly preceding Thomas C. Oden) were bereft of theological thinking. Somehow this notion has crept into our thinking so that we often demand no theology from our leaders, at least no theology resembling normative Christian theology. Look at Richard Watson’s Theological Institutes. Watson was,
a British Methodist theologian and missionary advocate. Considered one of nineteenth-century Methodism’s most important figures, Watson was a prolific writer and preacher. He served as the secretary to the Wesleyan Missionary Society from 1821 to 1825. His Theological Institutes were considered institutional standards for years, and was the first attempt to systematize John Wesley’s theology and Methodist doctrine.
That’s right. Not only did early Methodists have theology, but they had a systematic theology. I’ve included some screenshots.
So what does this profit you? A lot. Those of us concerned about the theological direction of the United Methodist Church (and other Wesleyan derivatives) must turn back to our theological roots. Logos has brought together a masterful collection of Wesleyan/Methodist theological resources. And yes, there are current Methodist theologians involved in the mix as well. Not only is Oden in this library, but so is Kenneth Wilson, with his Methodist Theology (T&T Clark, 2011).
Wesleyan theology is deep, reaching to the East and West, and finding shape with Ariminus. It is not simply about 19th century notions of social justice, but about the holiness that comes from a life transformed by God. Further, it is not merely a theology devoted to preaching the Gospel, but so too to worship (he led a sacramental revival), and to liturgy. If we want to rediscover what made us the largest denomination in the United States, leading the way in transforming our society, and what makes us part of the Great Tradition (so that we don’t confuse social justice with holiness), we need to rediscover our theological DNA.
I’ll explore other sections as the week progresses.