The History of Methodism Podcast

In this episode, we step away from the Wesley brothers in order to look at the larger context surrounding the revival. No revival ever took place in a vacuum. Here is a link to The History of Methodism Volume 1 & 2 in English. Here is a link to The History of Methodism Volume 1 & 2 in Spanish.  You can support the podcast here: https://www.patreon.com/historyofmethodism You can check out t...

In this episode, we track the work of John and Charles Wesley during the fall of 1740 as they deal with challenges from the Moravians, the Calvinists, the Church of England, and the law.  Here is a link to The History of Methodism Volume 1 & 2 in English. Here is a link to The History of Methodism Volume 1 & 2 in Spanish.  You can support the podcast here: https://www.patreon.com/historyof...

In this episode, we follow Charles Wesley to Bristol in the summer of 1740. While John dealt with the crisis at Fetter Lane in London, Charles found renewal among the coal miners of Kingswood, clashed with a hostile clergyman at Temple Church, survived a serious fever, and wrote a moving letter to George Whitefield seeking unity despite their theological differences. Through Charles's journal...

In this episode, we look at the first four hymn books published by John Wesley (with his brother, Charles, for three of them). These came out in 1737, 1738, 1739, and 1740. Each gives us a helpful understanding beyond the journals of what was going on at that time. As well, the preface's to the last two offered John Wesley a chance to share his theological understanding in fresh ways. The 173...

In this episode, we look at the founding of the Foundery Chapel and the separation of John and Charles Wesley from the Fetter Lane Society. These two nearly concurrent events shaped the future of the movement in radical ways.  You can support the podcast here: https://www.patreon.com/historyofmethodism You can check out the updated website here: https://www.historyofmethodism.com/ You can check ou...

In this episode, we look at the early months of 1740 and how John Wesley dealt with the loss of his brother and the lingering tension at Fetter Lane. Please give us a rating and review wherever you get your podcasts. You can find us online at www.historyofmethodism.com . You can support us online at patreon.com/historyofmethodism . 

In this episode, we look at the fall of 1739 and the different questions of ministry that John Wesley is asking and answering. This was a fecund time for Methodism with the beginning of the General Rules and the first hints at conferencing taking place. Please give us a rating and review wherever you get your podcasts. You can find us online at www.historyofmethodism.com . You can support us onlin...

In this episode, we look at the founding of the Fetter Lane Society in London in 1738, and how John Wesley's leadership of Fetter Lane helped him to articulate his understanding of the church in the early days of the Methodist movement.  Please give us a rating and review wherever you get your podcasts. You can find us online at www.historyofmethodism.com . You can support us online at patreo...

In this episode, we look at the life of the oldest brother, Samuel Wesley Junior, and how is rigor and early death made an impact on the Methodist Movement.  Please give us a rating and review wherever you get your podcasts. You can find us online at www.historyofmethodism.com . You can support us online at patreon.com/historyofmethodism . 

In this episode, we look at the pivotal summer of 1739, after the start of the Bristol Revival. After a week in London, John Wesley returns to Bristol. In both places, he begins to put into practice a unique method of superintendency which he will expand throughout his years of ministry. Please give us a rating and review wherever you get your podcasts. You can find us online at www.historyofmetho...

In this episode, we look at what the Bristol Revival was like on the ground and what caused John Wesley to return to London. Please give us a rating and review wherever you get your podcasts. You can find us online at www.historyofmethodism.com . You can support us online at patreon.com/historyofmethodism . 

In this episode, we look at George Whitefield's response to John Wesley's sermon Free Grace , published more than a year later. It helps us to understand the differences between groups in Bristol and in the ongoing revival.  Please give us a rating and review wherever you get your podcasts. You can find us online at www.historyofmethodism.com . You can support us online at patreon.com/hi...

In this episode, we focus entirely upon John Wesley's sermon, Free Grace, which he preached at the end of his first month in Bristol. This sermon articulates John's distinction between predestinarian thought and Biblical thought (in his mind) and sets the stage for the dispute between John Wesley and George Whitefield that will split the nascent Methodist movement. Please give us a ratin...

In this episode, we look the first month of John Wesley's participation in the Revival in Bristol, England, in 1739. This period is crucial for Wesley's understanding of revival. It also prepares the way for his split with George Whitefield over Free Grace vs. Predestination.  If you are interested in History of Methodism Continuing Education Opportunities, please fill out the brief form...

In this episode, we look at the first few months of 1739 in the life of John Wesley and the choices that led him to go to Bristol at the end of March and start preaching in fields. If you are interested in History of Methodism Continuing Education Opportunities, please fill out the brief form at this link.  Please give us a rating and review wherever you get your podcasts. You can find us online a...

In this episode, we look at the history and geography of Bristol, England, in order to better understand the Methodist Revival that will start there in the Spring of 1739. Please give us a rating and review wherever you get your podcasts. You can find us online at www.historyofmethodism.com . You can support us online at patreon.com/historyofmethodism . 

In this episode, we look at the early life of George Whitefield in order to prepare for the revivals that will take place in 1739. Please give us a rating and review wherever you get your podcasts. You can find us online at www.historyofmethodism.com . You can support us online at patreon.com/historyofmethodism . 

In this episode, we catch up with Charles Wesley while John was on the continent, as well as follow John through the rest of 1738 up until the momentous love feast on January 1, 1739. Please give us a rating and review wherever you get your podcasts. You can find us online at www.historyofmethodism.com . You can support us online at patreon.com/historyofmethodism . 

In this episode, we go back in time to look at the early life of the New England theologian, Jonathan Edwards, whose life doubled John Wesley's in many ways, save for Edwards's Calvinism. The episode culminates in an account of Jonathan Edwards's work, A Faithful Narrative of the Surprising Work of God in the Conversion of Many Hundred Souls in Northampton, the book John read in Oct...

Spiritual autobiographies were essential to the spread of Methodism. In this Bonus episode, we hear about Christian David, a Moravian who preached to John Wesley at Herrnhut and whose life impacted John tremendously. Please give us a rating and review wherever you get your podcasts. You can find us online at www.historyofmethodism.com . You can support us online at patreon.com/historyofmethodism ....

In this episode, we look at John Wesley's two week visit to the home of the Moravians in Herrnhüt, in what is now Germany. We also discuss how this visit shaped the future movement, and how the stories he decided to share also offered a new medium for John. Please give us a rating and review wherever you get your podcasts. You can find us online at www.historyofmethodism.com . You can support...

In this episode, we look at John Wesley's journey from visiting his mother to visiting the Moravians at Herrnhut, in the heart of Saxony. We also look at his sermon, Salvation by Faith , preached soon after his Aldersgate Experience on this journey. Please give us a five star rating and subscribe. You can find us online at www.historyofmethodism.com . You can support us online at patreon.com/...

In this episode, we look at the days immediately after Aldersgate and the challenges John Wesley faced after his spiritual experience. Please give us a five star rating and subscribe. You can find us online at www.historyofmethodism.com . You can support us online at patreon.com/historyofmethodism . 

In this episode, we hear John Wesley's full account of Aldersgate, which also serves as a recapitulation of his life up until that point. Please give us a five star rating and subscribe. You can find us online at www.historyofmethodism.com . You can support us online at patreon.com/historyofmethodism . 

In this episode, we focus in on the day of May 24, 1738, from start finish and read together the scriptures and prayers which John Wesley encountered before his Aldersgate Rd. experience. We also listen to a public domain excerpt from Henry Purcell's setting of Psalm 130, which was sung at evening prayer that Wednesday. Please give us a five star rating and subscribe. You can find us online a...