John Wesley transformed not only the spiritual climate of cighteenth-century England but its moral and political climate as well. Historians agree that Wesley's lay societies set the pattern for early public education. His colleagues' rescue work in hospitals and prisons blazed the trail for modernizing these institutions. Their fearless preaching against ecclesiastical and governmental corruption prepared the British Empire for other far-reaching reforms. Wesley said that a goal of his ministry was "to reform the nation", indeed. his work proved that the Christian church could be a powerful vehicle for social change.

Dr. Hynson analyzes the theological roots of Wesley's reforming genius and finds that Wesley's preaching, while practical, was by no means superficial. In fact, Wesley gave careful attention to biblical, theological, and historical issues as he articulated his practical themes. Drawing upon a well-reasoned theology of creation, Wesley shaped rather sophisticated evangelical doctrines of man, redemp tion, sanctification, and church mission- -doctrines which served as the framework for his dynamic social ethics.

For more than two centuries, Wesley's vision of a reforming church has motivated Wesleyan Christians to undertake some of the most innovative programs of social change known to the Western world. Dr. Hynson challenges all Christans to keep that vision clearly in sight as they address current issues of national concern and articulate their personal ethics for daily life.