Read some more John Wesley last night. His sermons are foundational in shaping classic methodist theology and spirituality. It isn’t that Wesley’s sermons are rhetorically clever, or devotionally inspirational – they are substantial essays, replete with biblical reference, focused on experience which is to be understood by reason as well as appropriated by the heart. He is a formidable theologian of the heart. The modern edition of his works, published by Abingdon, running eventually to 34 volumes, is solid, dead scholarly looking, and serious fun for historians. Serious because each volume is equipped with full critical notes relating to the text; fun because some of the information just is, fun. Here’s one snippet I never asked to know, it won’t change my life, but it did make me send an email to Stuart about the creative homiletics on offer in the early Augustan period!
A certain Mr Tavernour preached in Oxford St Mary’s and this was the opening sentence of his sermon:
Arriving at the mount of St Mary’s in the stony stage wherein I now stand [ie the high pulpit] I have brought you some fine biskets baked in the oven of charity and carefully conserved for the chickens of the church, the sparrows of the Spirit, and the sweet swallows of salvation.
Now if that was the opening sentence – the rest of the sermon must have been like serving a sentence. Anyway, when you go to church tomorrow I hope you chickens, sparrows and swallows get some fine biskets baked in the oven of charity.
If not, come home, go online, and get a Wesleyan wholemeal sandwich with organic filling – try one from this online list. Acts 4.31 is on Scriptural Christianity. But don’t expect to eat without chewing………..
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