Overview

Vicki Tolar Burton argues that John Wesley wanted to make ordinary Methodist men and women readers, writers, and public speakers because he understood the powerful role of language for spiritual formation. His understanding came from his own family and education, from his personal spiritual practices and experiences, and from the evidence he saw in the lives of his followers. By examining the intersections of literacy, rhetoric, and spirituality as they occurred in early British Methodism-and by exploring the meaning of these practices for class and gender-the author provides a new understanding of the method of Methodism.

Full Product Details

Author:   Vicki Tolar Burton
Publisher:   Baylor University Press
Imprint:   Baylor University Press
Weight:   0.575kg
ISBN:  

9781481314183

ISBN 10:   1481314181
Pages:   408
Publication Date:   15 August 2020
Audience:   Professional and scholarly ,  Professional & Vocational
Format:   Paperback
Publisher's Status:   Active
Availability:   Manufactured on demand  
We will order this item for you from a manufactured on demand supplier.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments Preface Abbreviations 1. Introduction: John Wesley and the Rhetorical and Literacy Practices of Early Methodism 2. John Wesley's Literacy Genealogy: Parental Patterns and Practices 3. Writing to Believe: Diaries and Journals as Spiritual Literacy 4. Speaking to Believe: Literacy and Rhetorical Practices of Traveling Preachers 5. Walking in Light, Walking in Darkness: Methodist Women's Changing Rhetorical Space 6. The Mystic and the Methodists: Account of the Experience of Hester Ann Rogers 7. Reading to Believe: John Wesley's Book Inventory (1791) 8. Climbing Boys and Spinning Girls: School on Sunday for Laboring Children Conclusion: The Witness of Their Own Spirits Appendix A: Samuel Bradburn's Rules for Preaching Appendix B: John Wesley's Book Inventory Compiled at the Time of His Death (1791) Notes Bibliography Index

Reviews

"""Spiritual Literacy illumines an underappreciated aspect of the Methodist movement--John Wesley's concern for the literary abilities of ordinary citizens.""--Randy L. Maddox, Professor of Theology and Wesleyan Studies, Duke University Divinity School ""Through close examination of primary sources, Tolar Burton offers a rich account of leading Methodist women such as Sarah Crosby, Mary Fletcher and Hester Ann Rogers.... Historians of early Methodism should regard her study as essential reading.""--Barry W. Hamilton, Northeastern Seminary ""Here is the counter history to the elitist rhetoric of Hugh Blair and George Campbell. Vicki Tolar Burton's close reading of the actual day-to-day texts of early Methodism's founder and followers expands our knowledge of how a democratizing rhetoric gave cultural voice to women and to working class men in early Methodism.""--Robert Stephen Reid, Communication Department Chair, University of Dubuque"

Spiritual Literacy illumines an underappreciated aspect of the Methodist movement--John Wesley's concern for the literary abilities of ordinary citizens. --Randy L. Maddox, Professor of Theology and Wesleyan Studies, Duke University Divinity School Through close examination of primary sources, Tolar Burton offers a rich account of leading Methodist women such as Sarah Crosby, Mary Fletcher and Hester Ann Rogers .... Historians of early Methodism should regard her study as essential reading. --Barry W. Hamilton, Northeastern Seminary Here is the counter history to the elitist rhetoric of Hugh Blair and George Campbell. Vicki Tolar Burton's close reading of the actual day-to-day texts of early Methodism's founder and followers expands our knowledge of how a democratizing rhetoric gave cultural voice to women and to working class men in early Methodism. --Robert Stephen Reid, Communication Department Chair, University of Dubuque

Author Information

Vicki Tolar Burton (Ph.D. Auburn University) is Associate Professor of English and Director, Writing Intensive Curriculum, Oregon State University.

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