Back at the turn of the millennium, I took a course on Charles Wesley from Victor A. Shepherd. I’ll never forget him explaining how Charles wrote over 9,000 hymns, many of them on horseback. It’s a treat to return to his teaching in this collection of essays.

Shepherd begins with introductory essays on John Wesley and his key areas of thought—the witness of the Spirit, the law, reason, and of course, Christian perfection. Following this, he explores the broader Wesleyan tradition including how it took root in Canada with people like Egerton Ryerson, the architect of our public education system. The book fittingly ends with four sermons that translate the themes of Wesleyanism for a broad audience.

The wisdom of John Wesley is on full display in this volume. Christian perfection, while often maligned and mischaracterized, has this essential truth at its core: God can do more with sin than forgive it.

Justification relieved people of sin’s guilt; sanctification released them from sin’s grip. (37)

This collection of essays is a valuable orientation to Wesleyan thought and inspiration for people seeking to be “fit” for heaven.

Shepherd, Victor A. Mercy Immense and Free: Essays on Wesley and Wesleyan Theology. Toronto: Clements Academic, 2010.