The doctrines of hell and judgment and the need for personal conversion as an index to the development of liberal theology within the theological colleges of the Methodist church in England from 1907 to 1932

Abstract

The first chapter of the thesis shows how the study was born in a local church where the preached message represented a difference from the beliefs of John Wesley. The second chapter shows how the doctrinal standards of Methodism are defined in terms of the Motes and Sermons o£ John Wesley. These works are examined, and detailed doctrines expounded of Jesus as judge, and the grounds for and nature and experience of his judgment as applied to the lives of men. The third chapter considers the Primitive Methodist Church and shows how a liberal Influence was felt at Hartley College, Manchester, through the dominant personality of A. S. Peake. Peak’s doctrine is expounded and the securing of his position by the philanthropist, W. Hartley, is described. The fourth chapter considers Ranmoor College, Sheffield ' ,and Victoria Park College, Manchester, of the United Methodist Church and highlights the major influence of A. S. Peake in that denomination also. Chapters five and six treat the colleges of Wesleyan Methodism, namely Didsbury, Richmond, Headingley, Handsworth and Cambridge. For these the period is divided into pre- and post- 1918. The doctrinal stance is shown to be more complex than for the other denominations and for each college the doctrinal position of each senior member of staff is expounded and the changing tenor of each college traced. The final chapter shows how by 1932 the theological education of Methodist ministers was heavily biased to a liberal attitude, and relates the findings of the thesis to the state of Methodism generally.