“...we find consistent and systematic emphasis on repetitive and daily practices throughout Wesley's life and teachings that have the potential to train the person to breathe.” - Chad Maxson

What might “breathing” (the physical act of bringing in & pushing out breath from our lungs) have to do with spirituality in general and Wesleyan Christianity in particular, and how does Taoism figure into the conversation (if, indeed, it does at all)?

In this conversation, Dr Chad Maxson (longtime friend, first time podcast guest) walks us around his recent article hosted in the Wesley Theological Journal entitled Agency & the People of God: How Daoism Makes Christianity More Efficacious. It partially scratches a constant itch of mine, namely the interaction between God’s actions & our own human actions, so I was excited to have had the opportunity to chat with Chad all about it.

(For a video version of this conversation, check out my YouTube channel here.)

Chapters:

02:00 - Exploring Literature and Recommendations

02:32 - The Role of Education in Theology

04:54 - Agency and Revelation in Christianity

08:35 - Wesleyan Perspectives on Grace and Sanctification

11:23 - Wesley's Journey and Spiritual Assurance

14:21 - Empirical Expectations in Faith

17:39 - Understanding Sin and Transformation

20:33 - Theological Reflections on Paul and Wesley

21:28 - The Transformative Power of the Holy Spirit

23:28 - Wesley's Organizational Genius and Its Challenges

25:04 - The Role of Poverty in Spiritual Transformation

27:24 - Sanctification and Relationships

30:21 - Eucharist as a Converting Ordinance

32:12 - Monism vs. Dualism in Christian Thought

37:08 - Daoism as a Wisdom Tradition

41:59 - Breath and Spirituality in Christianity

47:55 - The Nature of Grace and Human Agency

Keywords:

Christianity, Agency, Wesleyanism, Holiness Movement, Daoism, Spirituality, Transformation, Grace, Empirical Expectations, Breath

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