Editorial

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This paper explores the interaction between the Methodist Church in Kenya (MCK) and the neo-Pentecostal churches in the Nyambene Synod, Kenya, together with the influence of this interaction on the religious landscape. It examines changes in denominational affiliations affecting the Methodist Church, where a substantial number of (particularly young) members have moved to Pentecostal churches and movements in the region. This identifies factors affecting religious affiliation in the Nyambene Synod and the impact that changing affiliation has on the Methodist Church. Through qualitative empirical research, the study identifies three main factors that increasingly influence movements of Christians between churches: the contemporary consumer culture that emphasises personal choice, the understanding of ecclesial identity, and the relevance of the church to contemporary (Kenyan) society. The research challenges the MCK to reassess its offer within the contemporary religious marketplace, not by imitating Pentecostal churches, but by rediscovering its Wesleyan social holiness heritage.
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Changing Religious Affiliations: Factors Affecting Denominational Changes In Nyambene Synod, Kenya

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A comparative study of William Wadé Harris, 1865–1929, and Apolo Kivebulaya, 1865–1932. The Liberian Harris’s short evangelistic tour of the Ivory Coast and western Gold Coast, 1913–1915, laid the foundations of contemporary Methodism, Catholicism, and the independent Harrist Church in Côte d’Ivoire and Church of the Twelve Apostles and others in Ghana. The Ugandan Anglican priest Kivebulaya ministered in the kingdom of Toro in western Uganda, 1895–1915, and in northeast Congo, 1915–1933, and is acclaimed as the founder of the Anglican Church in the Congo.
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Parallel Lives

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This article is the fuller version of the 2021 ‘Feanley Hartley Lecture’ that was given on 17 May. This paper is drawn from more current research and a reappraisal of my earliest post-doctoral scholarship, dating back twenty years, in order to assess the theological challenge of systemic racism and the socio-cultural, economic and political challenge of ‘Whiteness’. Utilising the scholarship of Willie James Jennings’ <italic>After Whiteness</italic> and my 2003 book <italic>Nobodies to Somebodies</italic>, I seek to reflect on the extent to which the contemporary and historic phenomenon that is the Methodist Church of Great Britain has been enshrined in and defined by ‘Whiteness’.
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Whiteness, Patronage and Bourgeois Respectability in the Methodist Church: The Fernley-Hartley Lecture, 2021

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This study compares the findings of two population surveys of Methodist ministers (presbyters) serving in Great Britain in 1997 and 2008. The findings identified nine areas of change: the quality of Methodist worship is improving; Methodist worship is becoming less traditional and less distinctively Wesleyan; communion is becoming less prioritised; ministers are learning to implement a better work-life balance; the work-related psychological wellbeing of minsters is improving; there is an increase in conservative religious beliefs; expectations on the practices and values of members is being relaxed; homosexual practice is becoming more acceptable; and welcome for Methodist-Anglican unity is receding.
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The changing face of British Methodism between 1997 and 2008: A study in empirical theology

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Drawing on the International Methodist – Catholic report on <italic>The Call to Holiness</italic>, this article identifies <italic>holiness</italic> as both a divine attribute and as a Christian imperative, inextricably linked with the unity of Christians and of humanity. For humanity to be in the image and likeness of this holy God implies a participation in God’s holiness. Because human life is inescapably social, it implies that this holiness must be expressed in social interaction. For the life of the Christian Church to reflect the holiness of God requires a commitment to unity and actions that echo that commitment. This paper traces the biblical basis of the Judaeo-Christian belief in the holiness of God. It goes on to examine the obstacles and opportunities for Christian unity, particularly between the churches of the Wesleyan tradition and the Church of Rome.
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Holiness and Unity

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This piece considers the Emmaus Road encounter with Jesus, the arrival at Emmaus and Jesus’ sudden, unexpected disappearance from their midst. I consider various mysteries surrounding the gospels’ presentation of Jesus and his words and actions. I also consider the implications of the recognition of Jesus in the breaking of bread and how Christians today often experience similar brief glimpses of Jesus illuminating our path, then leaving us, encouraging us to make our own free decisions in trust over our future discipleship.
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Arriving at Emmaus: Reflections on Finding Jesus in the Unexpected

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This distinctive theological perspective of Charles Wesley (compared with that of his brother, John) is found in his many collections of hymns. In these hymns, words such as ‘renewal‘, ‘restoration,’ and ‘recovery’ are pivotal in describing the effect that God’s work in Christ has on the life of humanity. This language is reinforced by the multiple images (most of them biblical) that Charles Wesley employs in his poetry. The result is an emphasis on salvation as the restoration of God’s perfect kingdom of love, peace, compassion, and justice.
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Perfect Love Restored: The Language of Renewal in the Hymns of Charles Wesley

Book Reviews

AHEAD OF PRINT

Volume 9 (2024): Issue 1 (April 2024)

Volume 8 (2023): Issue 3 (December 2023)

Volume 8 (2023): Issue 2 (August 2023)

Volume 8 (2023): Issue 1 (April 2023)

Volume 7 (2021): Issue 2 (December 2021)

Volume 7 (2021): Issue 1 (January 2021)

Volume 6 (2020): Issue 1 (January 2020)

Volume 5 (2019): Issue 1 (January 2019)

Volume 4 (2018): Issue 1 (January 2018)

Volume 3 (2017): Issue 2 (June 2017)

Volume 3 (2017): Issue 1 (January 2017)

Volume 2 (2016): Issue 3 (December 2016)

Volume 2 (2016): Issue 2 (June 2016)

Volume 2 (2016): Issue 1 (January 2016)

Volume 1 (2015): Issue 2 (June 2015)

Volume 1 (2015): Issue 1 (January 2015)

Holiness

 Holiness is an international journal of Wesleyan theology, published by Wesley House, Cambridge. The journal is dedicated to resourcing and extending the learning of the global Wesleyan/Methodist family, with a particular emphasis on decolonising theological scholarship. Holiness is an open access theological publication, providing an online platform for established and emerging scholars and practitioners in the Wesleyan/Methodist tradition from around the world. The journal publishes peer-reviewed articles in the fields of practical, contextual, biblical, and systematic theology.   Holiness: An International Journal of Wesleyan Theology is an open access platform that aims to resource the global Wesleyan/Methodist family for the transformation of church and world.  Holiness seeks to be    deliberately conversant with the Wesleyan/Methodist theological tradition  globally competent and decolonising in ethos  critically reflective on contemporary contexts  appropriately attentive to the praxis of holiness  creatively expressive of the tradition, while developing it through original research   The journal is read by practitioners and scholars around the world, and assumes a master’s level interest in theology. Readers are likely to be Methodist or Wesleyan in sympathy, but, of course, may also include those critical of the Wesleyan tradition.  The journal is ‘decolonising’ in ethos, in recognition that no particular ecclesial, theological or academic context is the judge and arbiter of all experience. Contributions from the global South as well as the global North are brought together in each issue of Holiness as one aspect of the journal’s commitment to this decolonising task.  Rooted in the Wesleyan tradition, Holiness is especially interested in the lived experience of Christian faith in different contexts around the world, and seeks to contribute to the development of a variety of contextually appropriate, theologically informed practices of holiness.  Articles published by Holiness present original research or offer exemplary reflection on issues in biblical, contextual, pastoral, practical and systematic theology. Some articles provide surveys of academic or practical fields of theological research, while others explore, extend and apply the Wesleyan tradition in particular contexts. Some articles bring insights and methods from other disciplines into conversation with Wesleyan theology and the practice of ministry in the global Methodist family, while others offer devotional exploration of Wesleyan themes. All articles are peer-reviewed and the journal as a whole seeks to contribute to the ongoing scholarly life of the Wesleyan/Methodist family.  Archiving  Sciendo archives the contents of this journal in Portico - digital long-term preservation service of scholarly books, journals and collections.  Plagiarism Policy  The editorial board is participating in a growing community of Similarity Check System's users in order to ensure that the content published is original and trustworthy. Similarity Check is a medium that allows for comprehensive manuscripts screening, aimed to eliminate plagiarism and provide a high standard and quality peer-review process. 