Francis Asbury (1745–1816)
An excerpt from an assignment for my History of Christianity in America and Canada class.
August 19, 2024
I was fascinated to learn of the pervasive impact that Francis Asbury had on American Christianity. The author, Mark Noll, describes Asbury’s theology as a “distinctly Wesleyan spirituality”. Christians were to seek perfection and were encouraged to have personal embodied spiritual communion with God. Those experiences with the Divine, along with fellowship with other Christians, were prioritized over theology and church governance.
The role Asbury had in propagating the church was nothing short of a phenomenon. It is unfortunate that as the numbers of congregants grew, politics set in. Unfortunate yet predictable.
In studying the growth and popularity of some of these spiritual movements, it causes me to ponder on those characteristics of burgeoning movements that ultimately result in their downfall. Notably, the political infighting that arises amongst leaders, and the development of a crowd mentality.
What causes an organization to change as it becomes more and more successful and grows in strength and numbers? Certainly, all charismatic leaders have “flaws” in their theology and approach that are negative and damaging. But what is it that sparks the behaviors, events, and beliefs that result in widespread spiritual abuse?
The Gospel truly is the Good News. Those of us who have had those embodied spiritual experiences want others to know that feeling of peace and joy. We want others to attain the spiritual freedom and peace that comes from following the teachings of Jesus. We want to share good news with those we love.
At what point, and where, and why do things go awry?