Every believer must grapple with issues of mortality, yet the topic of death is rarely addressed in the church today. For those who wish to reflect deeply upon a Christian understanding of death, John Wesley offers a rich, theological perspective on death and dying. The theme of death played a significant role in Wesley's own journey of faith, and the topic of death consistently appears at every major point of Wesley's order of salvation. For Wesley, death was not simply the end of life; it was a metaphor for spiritual realities, a means to encourage holy living, and an opportunity to demonstrate the grace of God at work in the lives of individuals. Wesley's insights offer us encouragement and hope while dealing seriously with the difficult reality of death.

Christine L. Johnson is assistant professor of historical theology and Wesleyan studies at Asbury Theological Seminary.

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