Contact us on (02) 8445 2300
For all customer service and order enquiries

Woodslane Online Catalogues

9781481314183 Academic Inspection Copy

Spiritual Literacy in John Wesley's Methodism

Reading, Writing, and Speaking to Believe
Description
Author
Biography
Table of
Contents
Reviews
Google
Preview
Vicki Tolar Burton argues that John Wesley wanted to make ordinary Methodist men and women readers, writers, and public speakers because he understood the powerful role of language for spiritual formation. His understanding came from his own family and education, from his personal spiritual practices and experiences, and from the evidence he saw in the lives of his followers. By examining the intersections of literacy, rhetoric, and spirituality as they occurred in early British Methodism-and by exploring the meaning of these practices for class and gender-the author provides a new understanding of the method of Methodism.
Vicki Tolar Burton (Ph.D. Auburn University) is Associate Professor of English and Director, Writing Intensive Curriculum, Oregon State University.
Acknowledgments Preface Abbreviations 1. Introduction: John Wesley and the Rhetorical and Literacy Practices of Early Methodism 2. John Wesley's Literacy Genealogy: Parental Patterns and Practices 3. Writing to Believe: Diaries and Journals as Spiritual Literacy 4. Speaking to Believe: Literacy and Rhetorical Practices of Traveling Preachers 5. Walking in Light, Walking in Darkness: Methodist Women's Changing Rhetorical Space 6. The Mystic and the Methodists: Account of the Experience of Hester Ann Rogers 7. Reading to Believe: John Wesley's Book Inventory (1791) 8. Climbing Boys and Spinning Girls: School on Sunday for Laboring Children Conclusion: The Witness of Their Own Spirits Appendix A: Samuel Bradburn's Rules for Preaching Appendix B: John Wesley's Book Inventory Compiled at the Time of His Death (1791) Notes Bibliography Index
"Spiritual Literacy illumines an underappreciated aspect of the Methodist movement--John Wesley's concern for the literary abilities of ordinary citizens."--Randy L. Maddox, Professor of Theology and Wesleyan Studies, Duke University Divinity School "Through close examination of primary sources, Tolar Burton offers a rich account of leading Methodist women such as Sarah Crosby, Mary Fletcher and Hester Ann Rogers?.... Historians of early Methodism should regard her study as essential reading."--Barry W. Hamilton, Northeastern Seminary "Here is the counter history to the elitist rhetoric of Hugh Blair and George Campbell. Vicki Tolar Burton's close reading of the actual day-to-day texts of early Methodism's founder and followers expands our knowledge of how a democratizing rhetoric gave cultural voice to women and to working class men in early Methodism."--Robert Stephen Reid, Communication Department Chair, University of Dubuque
Google Preview content