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John Wesley (1703-1791) is the chief architect and source of inspiration to the teaching commonly referred to as Christian perfection. Among his many publications, the book that best summarizes his teachings on holiness is A Plain Account of Christian Perfection, as believed and taught by the Reverend Mr. John Wesley, from the year 1725 to the year 1777. For many years this timeless classic has been reproduced in various formats. Now, for the first time, John Wesley’s ‘A Plain Account of Christian Perfection’ is being offered in a definitive Annotated Edition by Mark K. Olson. This edition is volume one in a projected three volume series. The Annotated Edition offers the following: - The entire text has been divided into chapters and verses for detailed study and cross-referencing. - The introduction examines in detail when and why Wesley wrote A Plain Account. - The verse by verse commentary discusses the history and background behind the text, offering unsurpassed explanation of Wesley’s doctrine of perfect love. - Five end notes address Wesley’s early doctrinal development, the impact of Aldersgate on his perfection doctrine, many testimonies of attaining perfection, and other relevant material from early Methodism. - Over 150 quotations from Wesley’s sermons, writings, and letters offer unlimited clarification to his views on perfection. - The insights of many Wesley scholars are included: Albert Outler, Randy Maddox, Kenneth Collins, William Greathouse, Thomas Oden, Harold Lindstrom, Stephen Gunter, H. Ray Dunning, Theodore Runyon, plus many others. - A timeline details every event in Wesley’s lifetime corresponding to A Plain Account. - Several exhaustive indexes are included: scripture, annotation, subject, author, Wesley quotations, and two synonym indexes from Wesley’s Journal and A Plain Account. - The Essential Reading Section further empowers the study of Wesley’s theology of perfection. Included are: o Twenty key sermons, along with their dates and locations in Wesley’s Works (both the Jackson and Bicentennial editions). o Wesley’s most important writings on perfection, listing their date and location in his Works. o 250 letters relevant to his theology of perfection. The index includes their date and location in Wesley’s Works, with a brief description of their contents. Two additional volumes are planned in the series. John Wesley’s Theology of Perfection will offer specialized studies for those wanting to dig deeper into Wesley’s theology of perfection. The third volume, John Wesley’s Doctrine of Christian Perfection, will present in systematic format every facet of Wesley’s views on perfection. The projected release for both volumes is 2006 and 2007. Together, these three volumes will present one of the most thorough and exhaustive studies ever done on Wesley’s most beloved, yet, most controversial doctrine.
