Christianity & Human Flourishing: A Methodist Story

The dean eloquently portrays the consistent persistence of Methodism. In his words, “a once disparaged religious movement, over time, displayed the capacity to advocate for and help secure three of the most important legal and humanitarian transformations in the history of the modern West: the separation of Church and State, the rise of religious toleration, and the end of state-sponsored slavery.” From Thomas Allan's draft of the 1812 Toleration Act during the Napoleonic Wars at a time when most were arguing for restricting religious toleration, to the Methodist petitioning group for the abolition of the Atlantic Slave Trade, he highlighted this denomination's unique presence on the frontlines of combating the injustices of its time. His beautiful tribute to John Wesley's fervent opposition to slavery is particularly noteworthy.