The Journal of John Wesley: John Wesley (edited C. Idle)
John Wesley. A key figure in the evangelical revival of the 18th and 19th century. A prolific preacher. But I don’t like him. And I feel quite justified in saying that because I just read hundreds of pages where he was pretty disparaging about pretty much every other of his contemporaries. I think I’m maybe just a bit shocked. I guess at my roots I’m a people pleaser and to hear this man being so rude and ungracious about people is a bit scary…
The journal is a real eye opener. Especially as much of it was edited by Wesley himself.. I’m not sure I would leave in what he did! In terms of writing: well this was an abridged version so I think I may have missed some of the picture.
There are a few gems in there which have really spoken to me a bit. Things like the reminder not to battle temptation but to flee it. A timely reminder. Wesley’s description of the state of society bears more than a little resemblance to life today (drunkenness and profanity!). And at the end of his life the old fella seems to mellow a bit.
The book has left me shocked but encouraged. I feel a bit more like God can use me with all my corruption and weakness. Definitely worth a read!
The journal is a real eye opener. Especially as much of it was edited by Wesley himself.. I’m not sure I would leave in what he did! In terms of writing: well this was an abridged version so I think I may have missed some of the picture.
There are a few gems in there which have really spoken to me a bit. Things like the reminder not to battle temptation but to flee it. A timely reminder. Wesley’s description of the state of society bears more than a little resemblance to life today (drunkenness and profanity!). And at the end of his life the old fella seems to mellow a bit.
The book has left me shocked but encouraged. I feel a bit more like God can use me with all my corruption and weakness. Definitely worth a read!
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