John wesley in America : restoring primitive Christianity / Geordan Hammond.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Hammond, Geordan.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Wesley, John, 1703-1791.

Wesley, John.

Methodist Church (Great Britain)--Missions--Georgia--History--18th century.

Methodist Church (Great Britain).

Methodist Church--England--Clergy--Biography.

Methodist Church.

Church history.

Missions.

History.

England.

Clergy.

Georgia.

Georgia--Church history--18th century.

Genre:

Biographies.

Physical Description:

xv, 237 pages ; 24 cm

Place of Publication:

New York : Oxford University Press, 2014.

Summary:

Why did John Wesley leave the halls of academia at Oxford to become a Church of England missionary in the newly established colony of Georgia Was his ministry in America a success or failure? These questions-which have engaged numerous biographers of Wesley-have often been approached from the vantage point of later developments in Methodism. Geordan Hammond presents the first book-length study of Wesley's experience in America, providing an innovative contribution to debates about the significance of a formative period of Wesley's life. John Wesley in America addresses Wesley's Georgia mission in fresh perspective by interpreting it in its immediate context. in order to re-evaluate this period of Wesley's life, Hammond carefully considers Wesley's writings and those of his contemporaries. the Georgia mission, for Wesley, was a laboratory for implementing his views of primitive Christianity. the ideal of restoring the doctrine, discipline,and practice of the carly church in the pristine Georgia wilderness was the prime motivating factor in Wesley's decision to embark for Georgia and in his clerical practice in the colony. Understanding the centality of primitive Christianity to Wesley's thinking and pastoral methods is essential to comprehending his experience in America. Wesley's conception of primitive Christianity was rooted in his embrace of patristic scholarship at Oxford. the most direct influence, however, was the High Church ecclesiology of the Usager Nonjurors who inspired him with their commitment to the restoration of the primitive church. Book jacket.

Contents:

1 John Wesley's Conception and Practice of Primitive Christianity 13

The Wesley Family Reverence for the Primitive Church 14

The Patristic Tradition in the Church of England 17

The Nonjuror Vision of Primitive Christianity 23

Wesley and Primitive Christianity 30

2 Primitive Christianity on the Simmonds 42

The Methodists' Theology and Practice of Primitive Christianity on the Simmonds 45

Wesley's Eucharistic Doctrine and Practice 50

Wesley's Baptismal Doctrine and Practice 67

The Ministry of Wesley and the Methodists 74

3 Versions of Primitive Christianity: Wesley's Relations with the Moravians and Lutheran Pietists 79

Wesley and the Moravians on the Simmonds 80

Wesley's Relations with the Moravians in Georgia 85

Wesley's Relations with the Lutheran Pietists in Georgia 96

Hymns 103

4 Creating Primitive Christianity Anew: Wesley's Ministry in Georgia 108

Prayer Book Revision 108

Wesley's Resolutions on Clerical Practice 109

Holy Communion 118

Confession and Penance 127

Asceticism: Eating and Sleeping 131

Deaconesses 136

Wesley's Religlous Societies in Georgia 139

The Indian Mission 148

Wesley's Reflections on the Primitive Councils and Canons 154

5 Oppositions to Wesley's Primitive Christianity in Georgia 159

Wesley as an Enthusiast 160

Wesley as a Roman Catholic 161

Wesley as a Divisive Clergyman 164

The Sophia Williamson Controversy in Context: Opposition to Wesley's Ministry to Women 171

Wesley's Advocacy for the Poor and Oppressed 178

Conclusion 190

tPrimitive Christianity after Georgia 194.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages [204]-226) and index.

ISBN:

0198701608

9780198701606

OCLC:

855764036