A collection of short pieces designed to be read on the bus or in the bath, as one would a magazine column. Each piece takes a wry look at the world and reflects on the questions of faith that arise from the everyday -- the advertising slogan, the church jumble sale...Drawing on the ingredients of scripture, theology and philosophy, Strangely Warmed aims to make serious doctrinal points with a lightness of touch, offering bite-sized morsels to be enjoyably chewed over, in the hope that this will lead to a deeper reflection on, and appreciation of, Christian faith.

As John Wesley discovered his true spiritual identity, he experienced a strangely warmed heart. Through poignant stories and well-reasoned principles, Karen Oliveto discloses why and how spiritual renewal and a personal call to ministry emerge in the strangely warmed hearts of lesbian and gay Christians. In The United Methodist Church (and other Christian denominations), it is difficult or impossible for lesbian, gay, transsexual, and bisexual clergy or laity to become a visible and outward channel for God’s saving grace. This book traces the history of the church’s struggle with homosexuality, highlighting critical incidents in the culture and church polity which shape the church’s response. The issues are deeply rooted in the way God’s people understand scriptures, which are interpreted as a means of grace for some and as a rule-book for others. This book includes first-person narratives of LGBTQ persons faithfully serving in a denomination that denies their calls and—in some cases—their presence. These stories will show how the coming out process is deeply spiritual as one grows into an authentic, God-created and graced self. “You are the one who created my innermost parts; you knit me together while I was still in my mother’s womb. I give thanks to you that I was marvelously set apart. Your works are wonderful—I know that very well.” Psalm 139:13-14 (CEB) “Our Strangely Warmed Hearts is a breath of fresh air in the study of the United Methodist struggle and intense debate regarding human sexuality. Karen Oliveto lives in faithful witness and serves people with the heart of Christian leadership."—Bishop Hee-Soo Jung, Wisconsin Conference of the United Methodist Church. “Karen Oliveto offers a compelling window into the steadfast faith and the resilience of the LGBTQ Christian movement in the United States. After offering an extraordinary history of the LGBTQ equality movement in our society and in The United Methodist Church, she rightly asks, 'Is there any other group that we would marginalize in this way?' I wholeheartedly recommend Karen Oliveto's new book to everyone who is affected by the debate over the sacred worth and place of LGBTQ people in our lives and churches. This book inspires hope.” —Michael J. Adee, Ph.D., Director, Global Faith and Justice Project, San Francisco Theological Seminary, San Anselmo, CA “Bishop Oliveto's story mirrors the experience of many LGBTQ ministers who are serving the Body of Christ openly, and not in the shadows. The integrity, courage, and deep faith of God’s LGBTQ people who are called into ministry have enriched the church and encouraged the outsiders who were always welcome at Jesus' table.”–Andy Lang, Executive Director, Open and Affirming Coalition, United Church of Christ “I loved it! It drew me in immediately and kept me strapped in on what I knew would be a roller coaster of painful history, sprinkled triumphs, and then stories that broke my heart, gave me cheer, and brought tears to my eyes. Bishop Oliveto takes readers on a fascinating trip through LGBTQ history, and into the often contentious collision with mainstream religion…and then brings it all together through the personal stories that make our past and present come alive! I applaud Bishop Oliveto’s book and will highly recommend it to the faithful and faith curious of all religions.”–The Reverend Marian Edmonds-Allen, Executive Director, Parity "[Bishop Karen Oliveto] is sharing the love of Jesus, and meeting people where they are, no matter who they are, and no matter what they think about her. She loves them." —Kent Ingram, senior pastor of First United Methodist Church in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

For centuries, Christians have wrestled with how to witness faithfully to the peaceable kingdom of God, while also living as citizens within an earthly nation-state. Differing theological traditions have offered wide-ranging contributions to the field of political theology, yet the Wesleyan tradition has too often remained largely silent. In this volume, Coates turns to two key figures within his own Wesleyan tradition--John Wesley and B. T. Roberts--in order to construct a distinctively Wesleyan political theology. He argues that embedded within Wesley's theology were the seeds of a radically people-centered, egalitarian politic, despite the fact that Wesley himself never fully realized these implications himself. Ultimately, however, the populism of B. T. Roberts and his work to organize the Farmer's Alliance of the late-nineteenth century would come to represent one concrete, historical manifestation of Wesley's theology in the public sphere. Here is a book not merely for academics interested in the Wesleyan tradition or political theology, but also for all followers of Christ who desire to see the church model the ethic of Christ before the worldly powers in the midst of this saeculum.

John Wesley is a fiery preacher who is stirring up the people in London. One day, while peddling his father’s wares, Robert Upton meets Wesley and his life is changed forever. Robert and his father start going to Wesley’s meetings. Gradually, Robert begins to understand what Wesley’s preaching is all about. As he allows God to work in his life, Robert finds that his own heart, like Wesley’s, is strangely warmed. For 9-to-14-year-olds.

John and Charles Wesley generated a heritage that reaches well beyond the worldwide Methodist movement which they founded. The rise, development and effect of early Methodism was an Anglican phenomenon, and deserves attention and recognition as such. This collection of their essential writings shows how the Wesleys interpreted and balanced the emphases of the 18th century Church of England with passion and vision, harnessing resources from across the breadth of Anglican thought and practice (and beyond) to forge a distinctive, dynamic and influential approach to religious experience. This volume places the Wesleys firmly in their own world and examines the ways in which their theology and practice was a fusion of diverse elements from the whole Christian tradition, giving impetus to the only enterprise that really concerned them: Christian mission. The Wesley's generous, reasonable and compelling vision is one of Anglicanism's finest contributions to the Church Catholic, one whose wisdom and influence endures across the world.

A 6-week Bible study for small groups using the Wesley Study Bible.

Paul writes that we are justified by faith apart from 'works of the law', a disputed term that represents a fault line between 'old' and 'new' perspectives on Paul. Was the Apostle reacting against the Jews' good works done to earn salvation, or the Mosaic Law's practices that identified the Jewish people? Matthew J. Thomas examines how Paul's second century readers understood these points in conflict, how they relate to 'old' and 'new' perspectives, and what their collective witness suggests about the Apostle's own meaning. Surprisingly, these early witnesses align closely with the 'new' perspective, though their reasoning often differs from both viewpoints. They suggest that Paul opposes these works neither due to moralism, nor primarily for experiential or social reasons, but because the promised new law and covenant, which are transformative and universal in scope, have come in Christ.

Children have always been close to the heart of God. It is when children are sick, even dying, that they can suddenly bring us closer to God ourselves. Children's minister and former children's hospital chaplain Leanne Hadley has been ministering to hurting children for years. In Touching Heaven, she recounts the poignant stories and simple faith of the remarkable children she has been privileged to serve. She shares their encounters with God, Jesus, and angels. And with humor and tenderness, she offers their inspiring testimonies to the presence of God in our lives--even as earthly life is ending. Anyone who has lost a child or another loved one, or anyone who is currently supporting a dying person along the journey, will find in these stories comfort, inspiration, and hope of everlasting life.

Wesley Gold is filled with precious nuggets - - refined words from one of God's greats. This book tells you: Who was John Wesley? And how could one man turn a country upside down? Why did he say, ''''I went to America, to convert the Indians; but oh! who shall convert me? What did he read that ''''strangely warmed his heart'''' and brought him to Christ? This book won't warm your heart - - it will set you on fire for God. It will challenge you like no other, because the life of John Wesley make the most zealous of us seem lukewarm.