A Real Christian

This was a wonderful, brief overview of the life of Wesley. Mr. Collins has provided a rich narrative that details the character strengths and the flaws of this Great Man of Faith. I am grateful for the text and learned much from it that has impacted me personally. Trully a great book about an amazing man of God!

Collins provides the reader with a wonderfully concise and through biography of John Wesley. Though Collins places significantly less attention on some of the prominent emphases of Wesley's theology, mainly the perfecting of holiness in the believer, and choosing instead to shift attention to Wesley's lesser (and more ambiguous) emphasis on being a "real Christian" in substitute, the author still maintains a historically intact overview of Wesley's theological journey. The reader should certainly approach this book as a biography as opposed to an exaustive treatment of Wesleyan theology. A rewarding read, I found Collins' style both engaging and informative.

I read with great interest this biography, hoping to get an overview of a famous man I knew little about. Kenneth Collins has worked hard to present not just the man with all his flaws and brilliance, but also his thinking and the impact it had on our world. In addition to triumphantly succeeding in these goals, Mr. Collins is an excellent writer and keeps the reader's interest. Days later I am still thinking over some of the points he made and evaluating my own life in light of John Wesley's. I highly recommend this book.

This is a beautifully written biography of John Wesley. This text presents an accurate history of Methodism's founder, with an emphasis on his life-long striving to be and remain what Wesley himself describes as a "real Christian," as opposed to an "almost" or "nominal" one. It is quite clear Collins brings a passion for Wesley himself and for his theology. His use of language is remarkable. The style and presentation he offers in this biography are both rhetorically satisfying and aesthetically pleasing. Do not be fooled by the size of this well-crafted work - it is only 160 pages - for it contains all the significant people, places and movements of Wesley's life, and is composed and presented in a fashion which is sure to attract a wide reading.

Ken Collins has written a biography of Wesley which may well become a standard text for College level courses on the founder of Methodism (which is the use to which I have put it.) Collins was my church history prof at seminary. He has written several books on Wesley, and is one of the "new lights" in Wesley studies. The book avoids making a stained glass saint out of its subject while at the same time demonstrating a genuine respect and reverence for this great Christian leader. All of the major events of significance are covered but with a readability that is backed up by scholarly research. It is sometimes hard to find a book on a major figure in church history which doesn't give in to the temptation to gloss over the "real" person. Collins has written a book which shows that this "real Christian" was also a "real person." Highly recommended.