The Continuing Relevance of Wesleyan Theology: Essays in Honor of Laurence W. Wood

What does the Wesleyan message have to say to the greater theological world? This is a question that Laurence Wood has taken up as his concern throughout his career. In order to honor his work this collection takes up this question through a series of essays designed to show how Wesleyan Theology while distinctive has a continued relevance to the wider world of theological scholarship. This collection does this in two ways. First by showing how the Wesleyan distinctives have been present throughout the history of theology. And secondly the collection brings the Wesleyan distinctives into conversation with various contemporary theological conversations ranging from theological hermeneutics and the science-religion dialogue to the practice of preaching and spirituality. The result is a volume that puts Wesleyan theology into continued dialogue with the broader theological world showing its vitality and importance for the contemporary situation. The Continuing Relevance of Wesleyan Theology offers a treasure trove of new resources for the contemporary interpretation and reinterpretation of the Wesleyan theological and spiritual tradition . . . Scholars as well as reflective practitioners of the Wesleyan tradition will find in this volume a series of interesting new historical as well as theological perspectives that will move forward our contemporary reception of the Wesleyan spiritual and theological heritage. Thanks be to God for the contributions of Laurence Wood and his own interpreters who have brought us this rich volume. -Ted A. Campbell Associate Professor of Church History Perkins School of Theology For the past three decades whether he is writing about a historical figure like John Fletcher or a contemporary theologian such as Wolfhart Pannenberg Larry Woods passion and purpose has always remained the same: to deepen and enhance Wesleyan theology both by furthering its own historical self-understanding and broadening its dialogue with contemporary theology philosophy and science. These essays-written by friends colleagues and former students-are a fitting tribute to Larry because they so clearly reflect his lifelong concern and richly contribute to it. Read them and be both challenged and inspired. -Stephen Seamands Professor of Christian Doctrine Asbury Theological Seminary CONTRIBUTORS: William J. Abraham Kimberly Ervin Alexander Christopher T. Bounds Barry L. Callen Nathan Crawford Jonathan Dodrill D. William Faupel Joel B. Green Stanley Hauerwas Kevin Kinghorn Bradford McCall Graham McFarlane J. Steven OMalley Michael Pasquarello III Aaron Perry Michael L. Peterson Tony Richie Don Thorsen Laurence W. Wood Nathan Crawford is an Adjunct Professor at Indiana Wesleyan University and a Ph.D. Candidate at Loyola University of Chicago.