This volume is a revision of Langford's earlier work, Practical Divinity: Theology in the Wesleyan Tradition (Abingdon Press, 1983). The major features of this revision include a treatment of the Boston Personalist School and the emergence of process thought. The revision also strengthens the ending of the first edition.

Practical Divinity traces the growth of Wesleyan thought from Britain to North America and to other continents, and views it against the background of general historical and institutional developments. The volume also gives special emphasis to major theological voices that have been influential since Wesley's time. It traces the full sweep and strength of the movement, including churches and Holiness branches such as Nazarene, Wesleyan, and Free Methodist.