As members of the body of Christ, we have a unique calling to live as a transformed community, embraced by the grace and love of God. Members of the early church understood God’s hunger for justice and served with compassion. Centuries later, political allegiances seem to outweigh the unified vision that equips us to live as disciples. As we look back on the foundation of the church, how does history inform us about the current cultural moment? How do we navigate the political world as faithful people? 

Dr. Ryan Danker is the Associate Professor of Church History and Methodist Studies at Wesley Theological Seminary. He is an active United Methodist and church historian who enjoys engaging with the early Wesleyan/Methodist movement under John and Charles Wesley. Danker serves on the editorial board for Firebrand, an online magazine that sparks dialogue among various related traditions in the church, and co-hosts the YouTube channel Secondhand Religion. Danker values a holistic approach to the Christian faith, calling attention to the living influence of deceased icons in the church who mirrored Christ in a sacred, yet human way.

He joins Eddie and Chris to talk about the traditions and ideas that shaped John and Charles Wesley, the history surrounding the Church of England and the rise of Methodism, and the notion of entire sanctification. Danker calls us to consider the theological base of our politics, not the political base of our theology. Using history as his guide, Danker brings us a sense of peace for this current cultural moment and challenges us to live out our vocation as Christians united under the waters of baptism.

Learn more about Ryan’s work at Wesley Theological Seminary here: 

https://www.wesleyseminary.edu/employees/ryan-danker/ 

Find Ryan’s work on Amazon: 

Exploring a Wesleyan Political Theology

Wesley and the Anglicans: Political Division in Early Evangelicalism

Read Ryan’s Firebrand articles here:

Wesley and Tradition

Whitefield’s Complex Legacy

Access Secondhand Religion here

Explore Ryan’s teachings on Seedbed:

https://www.seedbed.com/author/ryandanker/ 

Follow Ryan on social media:

https://www.facebook.com/ryandanker 

https://twitter.com/RyanNDanker