John Wesley

“Hal Knight’s John Wesley: Optimist of Grace is an exceptional introduction to John Wesley’s theology and the key practices that came from this theology. Knight shows the fundamentally hopeful nature of Wesley’s understanding of grace and Wesley’s insistence that God’s grace is willing and able to save us to the ‘uttermost’ in this life. This book makes an important contribution to Wesleyan Studies and deserves a wide reading.”


—Kevin Watson, Candler School of Theology, Emory University





“Is it possible to write a ‘brief’ book about the diverse, multi-faceted, and complex dimensions of John Wesley’s theology and practice? Knight has done exactly that with skill and integrity. Without cutting historical or theological corners, he introduces readers to the whole Wesley and, via him, a holistic vision of Christianity as holiness of heart and life. A very worthwhile and helpful read.”


—Douglas S. Hardy, Professor of Spiritual Formation, Nazarene Theological Seminary





“In John Wesley: Optimist of Grace, Hal Knight provides an engaging and highly accessible introduction to the development of Wesley’s theology, occurring over his lifetime as an Anglican but in conversation with Calvinists and Pietists from the Continent. The real contribution of this volume is that is presents Wesley’s commitment to holiness of heart and life as a theology for the renewal of Christianity, worked out in missional contexts and holy conference, in response to the transforming Spirit of God.  Knight is not only a capable Wesley scholar, but, more importantly, a Wesleyan scholar, writing with his own optimism about the loving grace of God, ever renewing the Church.”


—Kimberly Ervin Alexander, Regent University School of Divinity