Thoughtful Reflections on Faith and Life
Christianity has a long and respectable heritage of deep thinkers. I was recently thinking about the Christians of the past and who I would choose as potential conversation partners. I decided to include people outside the Bible. Who would you include in your list? Augustine John Wesley Dietrich Bonhoeffer C.S. Lewis Francis Schaeffer
I had the privilege today of being able to present a paper on “Experience as a Christian Apologetic” at Tyndale University College and Seminary. This was a part of their Wesleyan-Pentecostal symposium. I have been to the Wesleyan Symposium at Tyndale before, but this was their first year having the Pentecostal component. The keynote speaker … Read More “Experience as a Christian Apologetic” »
One of the books that I came across in my research into John Wesley is John R. Tyson’s The Way of the Wesleys: A Short Introduction. Tyson does a fantastic job of gathering the teachings and writings of John and Charles Wesley and summarizing according to the theological themes. The topics touched on in this … Read More “The Way of the Wesleys” »
I have been interested in John Wesley for some time. Having read parts of Wesley’s journal, I was impressed with his combination of passionate preaching, intellectual skill and social justice. He seemed to blend all parts of the Gospel. If you are looking to get a taste of Wesley, I recommend John Wesley, edited by … Read More “John Wesley – Review” »
I have heard many skeptics say that the different traditions and denominations within Christianity are evidence that Christianity is false. If Christianity was true, we would all agree on everything. I see no reason why this should be so. As human beings, we are going to interpret things differently. The unity of the Christian Church … Read More “John Wesley on Divisions Among Christians” »
I must admit that I am shocked at Calvinist attacks on Arminians. I am sure that there are Arminians that attack Calvinists, but I rarely see it. Maybe Arminians are not as zealous for their theology or maybe they are content that Calvinists choose that position on their own. I have seen the debate get … Read More “Calvinism and Arminianism” »
There are a lot of books that I buy that sit on my shelf years before I ever pick them up to read. Â However, last June I picked up a copy of selections from the Journal of John Wesley. Â I started reading it that night as I could not wait to get into the mind … Read More “Journal of John Wesley” »
I loved this passage from John Wesley’s journal: “I read prayers, and Mr. Whitefield preached. How wise is God, in giving different talents to different Preachers! Even the little improprieties both of his language and manner were a means of profiting many, who would not have been touched by a more correct discourse, or a … Read More “John Wesley on Preaching” »
I have been reading the journal of John Wesley and came across this interesting entry: “I finished the translation of Martin Luther’s Life. Doubtless he was a man highly favoured of God, and a blessed instrument in his hand. But O! what pity that he had no faithful friend! None that would, at all hazards … Read More “John Wesley on Spiritual Friends” »
More from my reading of the Journal of John Wesley: The more I converse with this people, the more I am amazed. That God hath wrought a great work among them is manifest; and yet the main of them, believers and unbelievers, are not able to give a rational account of the plainest principles of … Read More “John Wesley on Religious Ignorance” »
I have been reading the Journal of John Wesley. He has a number of instructions for his Stewards. I thought number ten was one important for those involved in apologetics. 10. In all debates, you are to watch over your spirits, avoiding as fire all clamour and contention, being swift to hear, slow to speak; … Read More “John Wesley on Debate” »
