John Wesley's A Plain Account of Christian Perfection

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.