Founder of the Methodist Church, is one of the world's greatest religious figures. A practical rather than systematic theologian, he wrote and preached for the common man. He is well known as a man of one book (the Bible) but he read like no other during his time. We are left with fourteen volumes of his works and eight each of his letters and journals. His brother became the troubadour of Methodism, writing countless hymns. John also took classic Christian works and edited them for the common man to read. And if this were not enough, he preached thousands of times both indoors and out. J. Robert Ewbank examines In what Wesley thought about other religions. Did he think all religions were from God and therefore there was little difference between them, or did he think that there is uniqueness in Christianity? Was he concerned about other philosophies and thoughts about religion popular in his day? What did he think about Natural Man, the Indians, the Deists, the Jews, the Roman Catholics, and the Mystics? Were they also fine with him, or did he discuss the differences between them, revealing where he found them wrong? Furthermore, what did Wesley think about the possibility of salvation for all those who held to these other positions? Did he find that it is possible for them to be saved by a loving God, or have they stepped outside of the bounds, therefore requiring extreme difficulty to be saved? "In a time of enormous stress on the entire human family as we try to understand, appreciate, and celebrate our diversity, J. Robert Ewbank has given us an excellent resource to help us deeply consider the issues and continue to affirm the core values and theology of the Christian movement." Rueben P. Job, author of Three Simple Rules.

The Wesleyan-Methodist movement entered American history as a fragment of British Methodism. It quickly took on a new identity in the early republic and grew into a vibrant denomination in the nineteenth century. The transitions from the rugged pioneer religion modeled by Bishop Francis Asbury to the urbane religion of industrial America was by design the goal of influential leaders of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Nathan Bangs was perhaps one of the most significant of such leaders. He rose from obscurity to the ranks of power and influence by refining patterns of worship, expanding denominational publishing, and structuring ministerial education. This study is concerned with the development of respectability in American Methodism. It also explores questions on how Bangs and other leaders dealt with in-house conflicts on issues related to race, slavery, and the poor.

Early Methodism was a despised and outcast movement that attracted the least powerful members of Southern societyslaves, white women, poor and struggling white men - and invested them with a sense of worth and agency. Methodists created a public sphere where secular rankings, patriarchal order, and racial hierarchies were temporarily suspended. Because its members challenged Southern secular mores on so many levels, Methodism evoked intense opposition, especially from elite white men. Methodism and the Southern Mind analyzes the public denunciations, domestic assaults on Methodist women and children, and mob violence against black Methodists.

Wesley's Wars discusses the theological wars that John Wesley waged on behalf of "true religion," a religion of the heart. They were fought to protect the people in his society who trusted him with their spiritual health, and he took that seriously. He waged war on incorrect ideas of original sin, predestination, the church, and Christian perfection.

This work brings various important topics and groups in American religious history the rigor of scholarly assessment of the current literature. The fruitful questions that are posed by the positions and experiences of the various groups are carefully examined. American Denominational History points the way for the next decade of scholarly effort. Contents Roman Catholics by Amy Koehlinger Congregationalists by Margaret Bendroth Presbyterians by Sean Michael Lucas American Baptists by Keith Harper Methodists by Jennifer L. Woodruff Tait Black Protestants by Paul Harvey Mormons by David J. Whittaker Pentecostals by Randall J. Stephens Evangelicals by Barry Hankins