Books by Dave Armstrong: “The Quotable Wesley”

[288 pages. $18.99 list price for the paperback. Completed on 2 May 2012. A contract with the Protestant / Wesleyan publisher Beacon Hill Press was signed on 17 December 2012. Published on 1 April 2014. Portrait by William Hamilton (1788) that I used on my original back cover (see below) ]

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[cover design by Robbie Knight]

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— for purchase information, go to the bottom of the page —

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Introduction (p. 5) [read below]

Brief Biography of John Wesley (p. 9) [from Encyclopaedia Britannica, 1911]

Bibliography and Abbreviations (p. 15)

Quotations (p. 19)

Index of Topics [see below]

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My background is broadly Wesleyan / Arminian, and I was raised initially in the United Methodist Church, though I hasten to add that in those days (up to age ten) I was quite ignorant of theology. In any event, my subsequent evangelical (and “moderately charismatic”) Protestant theological and spiritual development was not all that different from what Wesley or Methodism would teach. I even had an uncle (very sadly murdered at age 40) who was an Anglo-Catholic priest.

I entered the (Roman) Catholic Church in 1991. I mention this only for the sake of “full disclosure.” My intention is to present Wesley’s full theology and spiritual outlook, as a detached editor (as much as one can possibly be). I’m simply being open and honest upfront about my own possible biases.

John Wesley (it may surprise some to discover) never ceased being an Anglican. My own favorite writers are all either lifelong or initial Anglicans (C. S. Lewis, John Henry Cardinal Newman, G. K. Chesterton, Malcolm Muggeridge, and Thomas Howard). John Wesley is also among these Anglican writers and thinkers that I respect so much and love to read.

My first goal in my selection of Wesley’s writings is to provide the reader with Wesley’s theological views as he expressed them, and to locate (to the best of my ability, in my editor’s judgment) the most representative and best-expressed portions of his writings in order to fulfill that purpose.

The second, lesser aim (in harmony with the first) is ecumenical. Much of what Wesley held and expressed can be enthusiastically accepted by those from a wide spectrum of Christianity: Arminians, Catholics, Lutherans, Orthodox, Baptists, charismatics and non-denominational Christians, or self-described “evangelicals.” Even Calvinists (the traditional opposition to Wesleyans / Arminians) disagree mainly on a relatively small number of theological points.

In a broad sense, the theology and thoughts of John Wesley are treasures for all Christians. He was a great man, whose thinking and teachings ought to be more widely known and appreciated; and that is my third goal in compiling this book.

The quotations are categorized into 245 topics (see the Topical Index at the end), with entries drawn from the entire range of Wesley’s writing: his famous journal, letters, treatises, tracts, biblical commentary, and the “Minutes” of various Methodist conferences (dominated by Wesley, and certainly reflective of his own views). They are arranged chronologically within the categories, with dates (to the day, where known) and primary and secondary bibliographical documentation.

My sincere hope is that readers will benefit from these quotations from Wesley as much as I have in finding and sharing them. May his evangelistic zeal and Christian integrity and “heart for God” spread like wildfire.

John Wesley on Scripture and Patristic Interpretation

John Wesley Regarded Luther’s Commentary on Galatians (Emphasizing “Faith Alone”) as Blasphemy 

John Wesley Was Opposed to Experiential “Enthusiasm”? Yes, He Was

Wesley’s Reductio ad Absurdum Argument Against Calvinist Unconditional Election

John Wesley’s Remarkable Tolerance Towards Catholics (Ecumenism) 

John Wesley Explains Exactly What He Means by Perfection or Entire Sanctification

John Wesley on the American Revolution

John Wesley’s Remarkable Observation About Christianity and Secular Learning

John Wesley on Polemics and Controversy

Methodist Education in 1768

John Wesley: Unconditional Reprobation is Contrary to God’s Justice and Mercy

Wesley on Sanctification and Salvation