What makes a Methodist a “Methodist”? This is an increasingly important question in the age of the rise of secularism, the decline of churches…
Tag: Review
Kevin Watson ~ Review – John Wesley: Optimist of Grace
Henry H. Knight III’s John Wesley: Optimist of Grace is a book I would like to get into the hands of as many Wesleyan Methodist pastors…
Maxie Dunnam ~ Witness: Reflecting on Billy Graham’s Funeral
Because of his biblical and theological perspective, people often fail to reflect on how creative and innovative he was: the way he pioneered the use of radio and television; the way he harnessed print media; the role he played in launching a world-class magazine; and his influence in higher education, particularly theological education.
Wesleyan Accent ~ Advent Classic: Why Deny the Obvious Child?
Please enjoy this seasonal reflection that is part of our “Advent Classic” series, drawing on the riches of Christmas past that stay stowed away…
Jeremy Steele ~ When You Don’t Know What to Pray: A New Resource
The book is called ”The Book of Everyday Prayer,” and it’s for everyone who, like me, needs more than what comes off the top of their head.
Wesleyan Accent ~ Truth and Grace from Women
We’re pleased that among the pastors and professors who write for us, we regularly feature strong female voices that preach and proclaim the Christian faith. John and Charles Wesley watched their mother Susanna teach Bible studies to villagers gathered at the parsonage door.
Cole Bodkin ~ Review: Silence Unbroken
In Silence, Rodrigues’ romantic vision of Christianity is one that exists as if there are no cracks. Filled by lofty propositional truths, and a God on a high and mighty throne, Rodrigues does his best to muster up strength to remain faultless. Continuing up the path of the hero, he repeatedly fails to recognize the cracks in his armor.
Wesleyan Accent ~ Why Deny the Obvious Child?
There is a robust history of artistic license when it comes to portrayals of Christ. On the one hand, Jesus Christ was a Middle Eastern man whose existence is verified by historians. On the other hand, Christians affirm that Jesus was also fully divine, the Son of God. Because of the truth that God took on human flesh to enter into our existence, sometimes artists dwell in that larger thought, portraying Jesus as an African man, or a Japanese fisherman, or as a blond-haired, blue-eyed European. Other times, artists have attempted to portray the physical specificity of the Messiah who was born in Bethlehem to poor Jewish parents 2,000 years ago.
Fiction in the Pulpit: Preachers’ Favorite Books
Following our series of posts exploring theology and literature – from Steinbeck and the prophet Jeremiah to Jane Eyre, Jane Austen and John Wesley to the poetry of Mary Oliver – we asked several pastors and preachers from various Wesleyan/Methodist denominations what works of fiction have had the biggest impact on them personally.
Justin Gentry ~ Finding Myself in the Poetry of Mary Oliver
I think I am drawn so much to poetry these days because over and above anything else poets are themselves. They speak from a raw, sometimes scandalous place that many of us don’t have access to. As a pastor it can be very hard to be yourself, yet it is essential if you want to have anything of value to communicate.