Don Thorsen Books

This series is designed to free scholars to write outside the artificial constraints which too commonly separate the scholar and the saint. In this series, we are inviting seasoned scholars to write for the masses. We invite these scholars to write about what they care about, to write in the idioms of their everyday lives and to write for the reflective non-specialist. This series is designed to connect the scholar with the saint in pursuit of accessible insight. Thomas E. Phillips, series editor “Those within the church should focus upon becoming more welcoming, more hospitable, more loving—as they would want to be loved…. To everyone, I say welcome, just as Jesus welcomes you. Christianity should be known for welcoming all people… This message of hospitality may seem too good to be true, and, in reality, it is not always the case among Christians and churches. But with Jesus, it is always true. Jesus welcomes everyone." Don Thorsen From the first chapter

The Wesleyan quadrilateral is a shorthand way that followers of John Wesley use to summarize his understanding of religious authority, The idea of the Wesleyan quadrilateral continues to be crucial to how Christians today understand and live out the gospel of Jesus Christ. Wesley's fourfold understanding of religious authority included Scripture, tradition, reason, and experience. He considered Scripture to be unique, inspired, trustworthy, and the primary religious authority for Christian beliefs, values, and practices. In addition, Wesley appealed to tradition, reason, and experience as genuine, albeit secondary, religious authorities that helped Christians contextualize their understanding and application of biblical Christianity. It was important for John Wesley to investigate the full context of religious data as he inductively and deductively studied Scripture as well as church tradition and relevant experience--including experience that is spiritual and physical, individual and collective. This book is an incisive, concise, and clear introduction to the Wesleyan quadrilateral.

The nature of the virtues has a long tradition of thought, from Aristotle to Thomas Aquinas. This book considers the virtues in various cultural, religious, and philosophical contexts. Examining the key virtues, and some of the vices, it explores the cultivation of the virtues as an alternative way of moral thinking.

Focusing on John Wesley's theological method, the book explores the Wesleyan quadrilateral—Scripture, tradition, reason, and experience—as essential sources for theology. It argues that Wesley viewed Scripture as the primary but not sole source of theological understanding. The author posits that Wesley's approach fosters a catholic evangelicalism and ecumenism that honors Scripture, the Early Church Fathers, reason, and Christian experience illuminated by the Holy Spirit, promoting a more inclusive and responsible theological discourse.

Exploring the dual nature of Jesus, this book delves into his human experience on earth, highlighting his growth in wisdom, stature, and favor among God and people. It emphasizes the complexities of his life as a human while maintaining his divine essence, providing insights into his development and the implications for Christian belief.

"Beginning the practice and study of Christian spirituality is like stepping into a centuries-old cathedral. People are praying, prostrating, pondering Scripture, both individually and in groups. As outsiders we may be intrigued but a bit lost, searching for bearings, and a bit fearful of embarrassment. The mix of old and new, of tradition and vitality, inspires awe and longing. How do we find our way around, overcome our awkwardness, join in, and draw near to God? The Pocket Dictionary of Christian Spirituality is an A to Z introduction and resource for curious newcomers and novice students of spirituality. From our early call to Abba until we arrive at Zion, the heavenly Jerusalem, Don Thorsen charts the Christian spiritual pilgrimage through its many traditions, schools of thought, and tested practices"--Amazon.com

This introductory textbook presents Christian philosophical and theological approaches to ethics.