George Whitefield, John Wesley and the Rhetoric of Liberty (original) (raw)

The paper examines the contrasting views on political liberty held by George Whitefield and John Wesley, two foundational figures in Methodism. It highlights Whitefield's unique position during the American Revolution, portraying him as a figure who, despite his support for the Hanoverian monarchy, played a significant role in shaping American identity and rhetoric surrounding liberty. In contrast, Wesley openly criticized the hypocrisy of American colonists advocating for liberty while participating in slavery. The analysis concludes that if Whitefield had lived longer, his possible alignment with the revolutionary cause might have further emphasized the political tensions between him and Wesley.