JOHN WESLEY?S ?A PLAIN ACCOUNT OF CHRISTIAN PERFECTION.? THE IBD

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John Wesley (1703-1791) is the chief architect and source of inspiration tothe teaching commonly referred to as Christian perfection. Among his manypublications, the book that best summarizes his teachings on holiness is APlain Account of Christian Perfection, as believed and taught by theReverend Mr. John Wesley, from the year 1725 to the year 1777. For manyyears this timeless classic has been reproduced in various formats. Now, forthe first time, John Wesley?s ?A Plain Account of Christian Perfection? isbeing offered in a definitive Annotated Edition by Mark K. Olson. Thisedition is volume one in a projected three volume series. The AnnotatedEdition offers the following:· The entire text has been divided into chapters and verses for detailedstudy and cross-referencing.· The introduction examines in detail when and why Wesley wrote A PlainAccount.· The verse by verse commentary discusses the history and background behindthe text, offering unsurpassed explanation of Wesley?s doctrine of perfectlove.· Five end notes address Wesley?s early doctrinal development, the impact ofAldersgate on his perfection doctrine, many testimonies of attainingperfection, and other relevant material from early Methodism.· Over 150 quotations from Wesley?s sermons, writings, and letters offerunlimited clarification to his views on perfection.· The insights of many Wesley scholars are included: Albert Outler, RandyMaddox, 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 APlain Account.· Several exhaustive indexes are included: scripture, annotation, subject,author, Wesley quotations, and two synonym indexes from Wesley?s Journal andA Plain Account.· The Essential Reading Section further empowers the study of Wesley?stheology 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 andlocation in his Works.o 250 letters relevant to his theology of perfection. The index includestheir date and location in Wesley?s Works, with a brief description of theircontents.Two additional volumes are planned in the series. John Wesley?s Theology ofPerfection will offer specialized studies for those wanting to dig deeperinto Wesley?s theology of perfection. The third volume, John Wesley?sDoctrine of Christian Perfection, will present in systematic format everyfacet of Wesley?s views on perfection. The projected release for bothvolumes is 2006 and 2007. Together, these three volumes will present one ofthe most thorough and exhaustive studies ever done on Wesley?s most beloved,yet, most controversial doctrine.