Reading Scripture as Wesleyans
By Joel B. Green Published
John Wesley boasted that he was a “man of one book,” but he was also a thoughtful student throughout his life and an author of many books. As breath gives life, John Wesley inhaled and exhaled the words of Scripture, shaping his thoughts, beliefs, feelings, and behavior. And like our eighteenth-century ancestor, the Bible is central to us for continued faith formation.
In this invitation to Scripture, the general editor of the Wesley Study Bible and biblical scholar, Dr. Joel Green, summarizes Wesley’s understanding of key themes and topics of key books of the New Testament. Using brief excerpts from Wesley’s writings (in updated language), Dr. Green explains the importance of Wesley’s thinking as it directly applies to everyday life and faithful practice. Each chapter ends with questions suitable for private devotion or group settings, to help you apply your study to daily living.
This book will be your trusted companion to the Wesley Study Bible as you love God with a warmed heart and serve God with active hands.
Endorsements
"This book is a treasure for those who trace their theological ancestry to John Wesley. With characteristic clarity, Joel Green demonstrates how one can read Scripture as a Wesleyan today by showing how key New Testament books address Wesley’s major concerns. Features like the discussion questions at the close of each chapter will make this book particularly helpful. Used as a companion volume with the Wesley Study Bible, it will serve the church well in the task of facilitating the ongoing formation of a holy people."
--Andy Johnson, Nazarene Theological Seminary, Kansas City, Missouri
This book is an utterly stunning achievement. Without a hint of artificiality Green has succeeded in transforming Wesley into a contemporary interpreter of the New Testament. With amazing felicity he has brought Wesley into vivid conversation with his own theologically astute and historically apt reading of the text today. This book belongs squarely in the new paradigm of Wesley Studies that is sweeping through the academy. Wesley speaks afresh as a living voice in the church, enriched by and enriching our own best insights.
--William J. Abraham, Perkins School of Theology, Southern Methodist University, Dallas, Texas
For some time now Joel Green has been one of our foremost interpreters of scripture, perhaps our greatest Wesleyan interpreter of the Bible. Now Joel utilizes a Wesleyan angle on scripture as the lens through which he looks at some of scripture’s most important messages. This book, used in tandem with Joel’s commentaries and editing of the Wesley Study Bible will make for some exciting adventures with God’s word!
--William Willimon, Bishop, North Alabama Conference of The United Methodist Church
Lucid, lively, and linked directly to the works of Wesley, Green demystifies the importance of theological interpretation for John Wesley’s use of scripture. This is an important recovery and modeling of a way forward for a renewed Wesleyan reading of Scripture for pastors and teachers. As one who teaches preaching in the Wesley tradition, I am grateful to Joel Green for bringing New Testament theological hermeneutics in direct conversation with Wesley’s words and sermons. Green not only provides a resource of biblical and theological scholarship, he models a way forward for a renewed Wesleyan reading of Scripture.
--Joy J. Moore, The Divinity School at Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
About the Author
Joel B. Green
Joel B. Green is Professor of New Testament Interpretation at Fuller Theological Seminary. He is a General Editor of the Wesley Study Bible and the Common English Bible.
