The History of Methodism Podcast

Because of the denseness of Samuel Wesley's prose (in Latin and English), our episode on his theology has been delayed a month. For now, we have a reading of his anonymous pamphlet, A Letter from a Country Divine..." which goes into his childhood and experience in Dissenter academies. This is a dull work that it is hard to liven up. I wanted to share it not for entertainment, but because...

In this episode, we meet Samuel Wesley, learn about his family and various details about his life and poetry. You can support us online at patreon.com/historyofmethodism . 

In this episode, we look in depth at the theology of Susanna Wesley as exhibited through a letter to her daughter Suky. Here is the full letter for those who want to spend a little more time with Susanna's theology. You can support us online at patreon.com/historyofmethodism . 

In this episode, we begin our look at the parents of John and Charles Wesley, starting with their mother, Susanna. We look at her family background, as well as some of the significant moments in her life.   You can support us online at patreon.com/historyofmethodism . 

In this episode, we look at the political, economic, colonial factors (among others like race and gender) of the world John Wesley was born into. You can support us online at patreon.com/historyofmethodism . 

In this episode, we look at some of the important figures in the 17th century study of the early church and how they shaped the thought of Methodism. You can support us online at patreon.com/historyofmethodism . 

In this episode, we go back to the continent to cover the rise of German pietism as well as a brief history of the Moravian church and what the word Moravian even means. You can support us online at patreon.com/historyofmethodism . 

In this episode, we discuss pastors and writers who influenced the spirtuality of England during the latter half of the 17th century.

In this episode, we discuss the political struggles inside and outside the Church of England during the Civil War and the reigns of Charles II and James II. Specifically with regards to these two confusing terms: Nonconformist and Nonjuror. As always, you can support us at patreon.com/historyofmethodism . Please rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.

In this episode, we follow the brief reign of King James II of England from his coronation to his abdication in 1688 following the invasion of William of Orange. This event transformed England and gave stability to the nation after the tumultuous 17th century. As always, you can support us at patreon.com/historyofmethodism . Please rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get...

In this episode, we continue the story right after the death of King Charles I and look at the fallout of the regicide, the rise of Oliver Cromwell, and the restoration of the Stuart Monarchy. As always, you can support us at patreon.com/historyofmethodism . Please rate and review us wherever you get your podcasts.

In this episode, we cover the major events of the English Civil War that shaped the England out of which Methodism was born and the major figures like Oliver Cromwell and Prince Rupert.  As always, you can support us at patreon.com/historyofmethodism.  Please rate and review us wherever you get your podcast.

In this episode, we look at the roots of the English Civil War or the Wars of the Three Nations. It is a complicated period that is often brushed over in American History books, but it is fundamental to understanding the period in which Wesley and Early Methodism was formed. You can support us on Patreon at patreon.com/historyofmethodism . Please rate and review on iTunes or Spotify or wherever yo...

In this episode, we look on the life of Richard Hooker and the influence of his great work, The Lawes of Ecclesiastical Polity, on the Church of England and on John Wesley. As mentioned in the episode, A Christian Library can be easily located at the Wesley Center Online here http://wesley.nnu.edu/john-wesley/a-christian-library-by-john-wesley/ Also, you can support us online on Patreon at patreon...

In this week's episode, I read John Wesley's preface his adapted translation of the New Testament from 1755. In this text, we get a sense of how Wesley understood the Bible and his purpose in publishing his own version. Support on us at https://www.patreon.com/historyofmethodism . 

On this month's episode, we look at the background of the King James Version as well John Wesley's specific use and updating of the translation. Support on us at https://www.patreon.com/historyofmethodism . 

In this episode, we move back across the English Channel to see what happened after the death of Jacob Arminius and its effects which ripple into Wesley's time and even into our own.

In this episode, we return to England to look at the succession crises after the death of King Edward VI. If you are able to support us on patreon, the website is https://www.patreon.com/historyofmethodism . As well, the two sources of Wesley I read from are quoted in an article by Samuel Rogal on Wesley and Mary, Queen of Scots , and then an article on Wesley and Queen Elizabeth by Frederick Mase...

This episode contains a reading of John Wesley's pamphlet, "What is an Arminian?" in order to help us better understand his views of Arminius and the heart of the Calvinist/ Arminian divide in his mind. 

In this episode, we briefly look at the life and theology of Jacob Arminius in order to get a better sense about how Arminius influenced Wesley. The religious conflicts of Arminius's life also prefigure some of the intra-protestant conflict Wesley and Methodists are going to face in the 18th century. 

After a two year hiatus, we are back with the History of Methodism podcast. I will post a full new episode sometime next week. It will be on Jacob Arminius and there will be a lot of Dutch words attempted.  Here is the link to our new patreon https://patreon.com/historyofmethodism.

This episode looks at the thought of John Calvin and his heir Theodore Beza and the two most important Reformed documents of the 16th century: the Heidelberg Catechism and the Belgic Confession. Wesley was often critiqued from a Reformed perspective and so it is important to understand the history of that position and the most important players.

On today's episode we see how Rome responds to the Protestant Reformation and look at some of the complex ways that John Wesley responded to Catholics in his own day.

We shift away from history writ large to the history of a single person, Thomas Cranmer, Archbishop of Canterbury, and his textual legacy in the Book of Common Prayer and the Homilies. 

We move on from Luther to some of the other early Reformers before making our first beachhead in the homeland of the Wesley brothers: England.