Essentials of Wesleyan theology

Few Methodists will agree with every statement in Paul Mickey's commentary on the Junaluska Affirmation. But its Wesleyan clarification of the meaning of the affirmation and its avoidance of an obscurantist theology make it clear that no theological chasm separates its supporters from other United Methodists. Our differences are fruitful for continuing discussion within a shared tradition, and we hope that Mickey's irenic formulations will stop any tendency to mutual anathemas and encourage healthy ongoing debate among Wesleyan thinkers. That debate may be most important in the area of ethics, where Mickey's otherwise helpful exposition fails to develop the openness of the affirmation itself to deal responsibly with the great public issues of our time. - John B. Cobb, Jr., on back cover.