In theological discussions about diversity within Methodist Churches, people usually reference a few standard quotes from John Wesley, particularly his sermon "Catholic Spirit." However, these references are only a part of the greater whole of Wesley's theology and his understanding of the mission of the Methodist movement; and hence as part of the issue of Methodist identity and holiness. Wesley proposed that the central mission of Methodism was to spread "scriptural holiness," and hence his understanding of the unity and diversity the church must be understood in this context. This book: 1) examines and interprets John Wesley's key sermons "Catholic Spirit," "A Caution against Bigotry," and "On Schism" in relation to his other writings and the integrating theme of holiness; 2) understands that Wesley's interpretation of holiness is shaped by eighteenth-century understandings of the human person; and 3)relates this constructive stance of holiness and diversity to the debates around human sexuality and presents it as an opportunity to go forward with a greater love.

Bid Our Jarring Conflicts Cease: A Wesleyan Theology and Praxis of Church Unity

Religion & Spirituality

Field, David N.

Christian Books & Bibles

Foundery Books

We live in a time of great division in the world, and too often we find this polarization mirrored in the church. People sitting in the same pew, working in the same office, and living on the same street find themselves at odds with one another politically and theologically on a variety of issues. Conflict seems to reign supreme. As Christians, we know we are supposed to love one another, but even that mandate has come to mean different things to different people. What does it mean to love God and neighbor today—in both the world and the church—and can this be the answer to the conflict that divides and polarizes us? In Our Purpose Is Love, author David Field answers this question with a compelling “Yes!” as he challenges us to recognize and reclaim love as the center of our identity and purpose as the church. Field presents a Wesleyan vision of the church as the embodiment of God’s love in the world and explores the implications of this vision for our life together. In this vision, the church is where we become creatures of love, learning to love God and neighbor ever more completely and authentically through the means of God’s grace. As a result, we bear witness to the world by reflecting God’s love more and more perfectly in the way we treat others and order our common life. With a special focus on the importance of unity for the church’s witness, Field invites us to consider the ways in which embodying God’s love can and should influence how we live as individuals and as communities of faith, calling us to reclaim and recommit to love as the center of who we are.

Our Purpose Is Love: The Wesleyan Way to Be the Church

ABINGDON PRESS *

What does it mean to love God and neighbor today, when things so often feel divided and in conflict?  In Our Purpose Is Love, author David Field challenges us to recognize and reclaim love as the center of our identity and purpose as the church. Field presents a Wesleyan vision of the church as the embodiment of God’s love in the world and explores the implications of this vision for our life together. In this vision, the church is where we become creatures of love, learning to love God and neighbor ever more completely and authentically through the means of God’s grace. As a result, we bear witness to the world by reflecting God’s love more and more perfectly in the way we treat others and order our common life. With a special focus on the importance of unity for the church’s witness, Field invites us to consider the ways in which embodying God’s love can and should influence how we live as individuals and as communities of faith, calling us to reclaim and recommit to love as the center of who we are.  This Leader Guide includes leader helps and complete session plans for facilitating an eight-week small group study using Our Purpose Is Love: The Wesleyan Way to Be the Church, by David N. Field.

Our Purpose Is Love Leader Guide: The Wesleyan way to be the church

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Field, David N.. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Books by Field, David N.

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Field, David N.. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Bid Our Jarring Conflicts Cease: A Wesleyan Theology and Praxis of Church Unity

Our Purpose Is Love: The Wesleyan Way to Be the Church

Our Purpose Is Love Leader Guide: The Wesleyan way to be the church