This work investigates the complex relationship between John Wesley’s theological framework of practical divinity and his active engagement with the literary culture of the eighteenth century. Emma Salgård Cunha examines how Wesley utilized literature not merely as a recreational pursuit, but as a pedagogical tool to advance Methodist doctrine and spiritual formation. By analyzing his editorial choices and the broader Methodist literary output, the author argues that Wesley’s defense of literature was fundamentally rooted in his commitment to practical holiness and the dissemination of Christian knowledge. The study situates Wesley within the intellectual landscape of his time, demonstrating how he navigated the tensions between nonconformist traditions and the established literary canon.

Scholars of religious history and eighteenth-century literature identify this text as a significant contribution to understanding the intellectual foundations of Methodism. Readers frequently note the academic density of the prose and the author's meticulous use of primary source materials to support her arguments.