Brian E. Beck is a Fellow and former Principal of Wesley House in Cambridge, UK. He was the Secretary of the Methodist Conference in Britain from 1984 to 1998 and President from 1993 to 1994, and from 1969 to 2007 he shared in the leadership of the international Oxford Institute of Methodist Theological Studies. Now retired, Brian teaches the theology and history of Methodism, and New Testament Greek. He also looks after the college archives and serves on the library committee.

• General IntroductionPart I: Heritage1 John Wesley: Encounter or Embarrassment?2 Rattenbury Revisited: The Theology of Charles Wesley’s Hymns3 The Eucharistic Hymns: An Appreciation4 Reflections on Methodism Post-Wesley5 Reflections on Connexionalism6 Connexion and Koinonia: Wesley’s Legacy and the Ecumenical Ideal7 The "Large Minutes": Ecclesiological Implications8 Conference Episcope: History and Theology9 Richard Matthews: A Layman OverlookedPart II: Identity10 Who Are We? The Elusive Methodist Identity11 A Methodist Theological System?12 World Methodist Theology? The Oxford Institute of Methodist Theological Studies13 The Idea of a National Church14 Unity and Conscience15 ‘Until We All Attain...’: Eschatology and the Goal of Unity16 The Porvoo Common Statement: A Methodist Response17 A Reflection on Structural Change18 What is a Divinity School For?

Although most of the papers are concise – only a couple exceed 10 pages – they are packed with insight and wisdom. The attentive reader will find here not only apt summaries of significant topics, like the main emphases of Methodist theology, but also fresh thinking and honest reflection on the state of the Church. This latest addition to the Routledge Methodist Studies series is very welcome..." - The Rev Dr Martin Wellings, METHODIST RECORDER

Brian E. Beck is a Fellow and former Principal of Wesley House in Cambridge, UK. He was the Secretary of the Methodist Conference in Britain from 1984 to 1998 and President from 1993 to 1994, and from 1969 to 2007 he shared in the leadership of the international Oxford Institute of Methodist Theological Studies. Now retired, Brian teaches the theology and history of Methodism, and New Testament Greek. He also looks after the college archives and serves on the library committee.

• General IntroductionPart I: Heritage1 John Wesley: Encounter or Embarrassment?2 Rattenbury Revisited: The Theology of Charles Wesley’s Hymns3 The Eucharistic Hymns: An Appreciation4 Reflections on Methodism Post-Wesley5 Reflections on Connexionalism6 Connexion and Koinonia: Wesley’s Legacy and the Ecumenical Ideal7 The "Large Minutes": Ecclesiological Implications8 Conference Episcope: History and Theology9 Richard Matthews: A Layman OverlookedPart II: Identity10 Who Are We? The Elusive Methodist Identity11 A Methodist Theological System?12 World Methodist Theology? The Oxford Institute of Methodist Theological Studies13 The Idea of a National Church14 Unity and Conscience15 ‘Until We All Attain...’: Eschatology and the Goal of Unity16 The Porvoo Common Statement: A Methodist Response17 A Reflection on Structural Change18 What is a Divinity School For?

Although most of the papers are concise – only a couple exceed 10 pages – they are packed with insight and wisdom. The attentive reader will find here not only apt summaries of significant topics, like the main emphases of Methodist theology, but also fresh thinking and honest reflection on the state of the Church. This latest addition to the Routledge Methodist Studies series is very welcome..." - The Rev Dr Martin Wellings, METHODIST RECORDER

Brian E. Beck is a Fellow and former Principal of Wesley House in Cambridge, UK. He was the Secretary of the Methodist Conference in Britain from 1984 to 1998 and President from 1993 to 1994, and from 1969 to 2007 he shared in the leadership of the international Oxford Institute of Methodist Theological Studies. Now retired, Brian teaches the theology and history of Methodism, and New Testament Greek. He also looks after the college archives and serves on the library committee.

• General IntroductionPart I: Heritage1 John Wesley: Encounter or Embarrassment?2 Rattenbury Revisited: The Theology of Charles Wesley’s Hymns3 The Eucharistic Hymns: An Appreciation4 Reflections on Methodism Post-Wesley5 Reflections on Connexionalism6 Connexion and Koinonia: Wesley’s Legacy and the Ecumenical Ideal7 The "Large Minutes": Ecclesiological Implications8 Conference Episcope: History and Theology9 Richard Matthews: A Layman OverlookedPart II: Identity10 Who Are We? The Elusive Methodist Identity11 A Methodist Theological System?12 World Methodist Theology? The Oxford Institute of Methodist Theological Studies13 The Idea of a National Church14 Unity and Conscience15 ‘Until We All Attain...’: Eschatology and the Goal of Unity16 The Porvoo Common Statement: A Methodist Response17 A Reflection on Structural Change18 What is a Divinity School For?

Although most of the papers are concise – only a couple exceed 10 pages – they are packed with insight and wisdom. The attentive reader will find here not only apt summaries of significant topics, like the main emphases of Methodist theology, but also fresh thinking and honest reflection on the state of the Church. This latest addition to the Routledge Methodist Studies series is very welcome..." - The Rev Dr Martin Wellings, METHODIST RECORDER