In 1968, the Methodist and Evangelical United Brethren (EUB) churches merged to form The United Methodist Church. More than forty years later, many United Methodists know very little about the history, doctrine, and polity of the EUB. To be sure, there are vestiges of the EUB, most notably the Confession of Faith, in the United Methodist Book of Discipline, but there is much more to be profitably explored. For example, the EUB represents a strand of German Pietism that developed an emphasis on the work of the Holy Spirit in the life of the church that, with the exception of Wesley, Fletcher and the early Methodists, was unparalleled in the history of Protestantism. This book makes accessible to clergy and laity alike the considerable riches of the EUB tradition with a view toward the renewal of United Methodism today.

John Fletcher was an influential figure in the history of Methodism. This study, based on a reading of the primary sources in Fletcher and John Wesley, looks at Fletcher's pneumatological and dispensational themes and examines Fletcher's relationship with Wesley and other significant figures of early Methodism in England and America. The author, professor of systematic theology at Asbury Theological Seminary, argues that Fletcher and Wesley agreed on the meaning of sanctification in light of the language of the Pentecost. Annotation copyrighted by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

Explores the unique contributions of the Evangelical United Brethren to the United Methodist Church.

Excerpt from Pietism and Methodism: Or the Significance of German Pietism in the Origin and Early Development of Methodism On the other hand, an extensive investigation Of only one Of these great movements is apt to produce an exaggerated idea of its importance. It would be easy to conceive an enthusiastic devotee Of Hasidism proclaiming that the most important movement in modern religious life was the great Jewish revival Of the eighteenth century in Poland. An overesti mation of the relative importance Of movements in the general history Of religion often leads to the erroneous assumption that such movements were quite unique and unlike anything which happened elsewhere. As a knowledge Of non-christian reli gions is conducive to a better understanding Of Christianity, so a knowledge of the various move ments within the Church itself affords the investi gator a more just appreciation Of each. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.

Explores major figures, movements, and ideas that relate to radical German Pietism in the seventeenth and early eighteenth centuries. Also details Pietism's role in the formation of modern religious communities, such as Quakers, Brethren, and precursors to modern United Methodism.

The time has come for Pietism to revitalize Christianity in America. Historian Christopher Gehrz and pastor Mark Pattie argue that the spirit of Pietism, with its emphasis on our walk with Jesus and its vibrant hope for a better future, holds great promise for the church today. Modeled after Philipp Spener's Pia Desideria, this concise and winsome volume introduces Pietism to a new generation.