Rev. Dr. Randy Maddox. Dakotas Conference file photo.

"As Methodists, the question comes up, what does it mean to be a Methodist? How are they different from or like other Christian denominations? The most formative forces in Methodism were the Wesley brothers. Accessing the accurate, reliable work of the Wesleys helps answer that question. We need a voice that focuses on maintaining the continuity of the past and addressing the needs of the times. Wesleys were that voice. They set that precedent for the church," stated Rev. Dr. Randy Maddox, a retired Dakota Conference elder.

Maddox is one of the foremost authorities on the theology of John Wesley and the theological developments of Methodism. He is Professor Emeritus of Theology and Methodist Studies at Duke University Divinity School, and currently serves as the General Editor of the Wesley Works Project, a significant initiative that is producing the first comprehensive and critical edition of John Wesley's works. 

"The Wesley Works Project is dedicated to publishing a full critical edition of John Wesley's writings," stated Dr. Maddox. "The volumes we publish are called The Bicentennial Edition of the Works of John Wesley. I am currently working on the working volumes of John Wesley's Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament for this project."

Plans are proceeding for the published volumes to appear eventually on the website of the Wesley Works Project. Wesley’s Sermons are available there already. What is there is searchable using general terms.

"Eventually, you will be able to go to the website and make specific requests like, 'Show me everywhere John Wesley used this word, or referred to this Bible verse.' That type of search is down the road. It is intense work to transcribe, edit, and digitize accurately," shared Maddox.

The most extensive single collection of John and Charles Wesley's works is at the John Rylands Library in Manchester, England.  Welsey's publications are held at several locations in the United States. Duke University has several of Wesley's publications and originated the Wesley Works Project. In 1969, Dr. Frank Baker, of Duke Divinity School, was appointed bibliographer and textual editor of Wesley's text and editor-in-chief.

"Duke has built the largest collection in the United States. Frank Baker traveled all over England and the United States looking for any book he could find and would buy it," explained Maddox. "There are significant collections at Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University, Drew University, Duke University, and Emory University -- schools that are partners in the project. There are a lot of letters just scattered around at local churches. We had to track all of those down."

Maddox serves as the editor for the Wesley Works Project. Screenshot from the website.

When Baker or Maddox located letters at local congregations, they would make a copy or take a photo of the original document so that transcription and editing can take place. A list of all the letters is on the website, under the tab in the upper right titled ‘Resources.’ The location of where the letter is held is included in that list. These resources also include transcriptions of all the letters written to John Wesley known to survive, along with many other items. In the lower left corner of the website is a button titled 'Digitization Project,' which takes viewers to the published material online.

The primary purpose of the project is to provide users with free access to Wesley's original text. Editing consists of making notes of changed spelling or annotations that reference contemporary English, as well as identification of persons and important groups or events mentioned.

"Our goal is to make available the most accurate, reliable text for pastors, writers, or others to use for their work, free of charge," said Maddox.

Initially, the Board of the Wesley Works Project thought it best to publish the volumes with Oxford University Press for status purposes. That came with a high price tag.  Abingdon Press, a division of The United Methodist Publishing House, took over publication. 

Dr. Maddox also heads the project that makes all the verses and writings, published and unpublished, of Charles Wesley available online at the website for the Center for Studies in the Wesleyan Tradition at Duke Divinity School. On the website, you will find transcriptions of all of the hymns of Charles Wesley that survive in manuscript; transcriptions of all his published hymns, and his other writings—sermons, journals, letters, etc. 

"Most of Charles's work is in Manchester. We have permission to take the work and make a reliable transcription. The goal of this project at Duke is to make this work available worldwide. We commonly sing maybe 25-30 of Charles Wesley's hymns. He published almost 9,000," shared Maddox. "The Center for Wesleyan Tradition is a single source to find his works, hymns, letters, and manuscripts."

Free access to the works of Charles Weseley. Screenshot from the Center for Wesleyan Tradition.

Serving as the editor for both projects, Maddox keeps things moving. The project at Duke University is near completion. The last items to be edited and published are Charles Wesley's letters. He is currently publishing through Abingdon a three-volume set of The Correspondence of the Rev. Charles Wesley.

The Wesley Project requires more of Maddox's attention. He serves as General Editor by distributing materials to selected editors to edit—some he edits himself. As manuscripts are edited, Maddox receives them and does the final edit.

"I work six to seven hours a day on the project. There has been an increase in financial pressure. Initally, we received $50,000 a year for the project and now receive $10,000 a year. I am working as a volunteer. I retired knowing I would dedicate myself to this work. This is my way of continuing to serve the local and general church," Maddox said. Donations to the project can be made here.

Over the next two years, all of Charles Wesley's work will be published on the Center for Wesleyan Tradition website. Maddox estimates that all 35 volumes of the Wesley Project will be completed in five years.

"There are not a lot of people who are aware of these projects. I hope that people will learn about the work and find it useful," said Maddox.

About Rev. Dr. Randy Maddox: Maddox holds the B.A. degree from Northwest Nazarene College, the M.Div. degree from Nazarene Theological Seminary, and a Ph.D. in theological studies from Emory University.  Ordained an elder in the Dakotas Conference in 1989, he served in extension ministries at Sioux Falls College, Seattle Pacific University, and Duke Divinity School. Rev. Maddox retired in 2020. We are grateful for his service to The United Methodist Church.