B. T. Roberts was born in a small farming community in western New York, on July 25, 1823. By the time of his death in 1893, he had made a profound impact on church and society. Roberts's writing, preaching, and ministry focused on true conversion, the disciplines of the Christian life, and holiness. Rejecting prosperity theology, he argued for simplicity, generosity, and mission. A prophet of dissent, he vigorously promoted abolition, prohibition, economic justice, and the equality of women. Along the way, he founded Free Methodism and an educational institution that is thriving 150 years later. Roberts exhibited rare and impeccably balanced traits. He displayed the courage and boldness to dissent, as well as the political savvy and communication skills to bring people together. He was a visionary who displayed patience, tact, and pragmatism. His idealism did not obliterate his attention to details and crucial distinctions. He made people feel loved, respected, and challenged; he was authentic. In his dealings in church and world, we see creativity and flexibility grounded in integrity. Earnest settles in to the particularities of this life well lived, showing the human spirit, divine power, and practicalities of progress. B.T. Roberts was a wise and inspirational human. This collection of essays explores some of his thought while also taking some of his ideas in new directions. This book not only highlights the fruit of Roberts' thought and life, it proves his ideas can spark fruitful reflection today. --Thomas Jay Oord, Author of The Uncontrolling Love of God B.T. Roberts saw clearly that God's salvation runs through the heart of all creation. Koehl and Basinger's collection of interdisciplinary essays on Roberts' life and work offers Christians a model for earnest discipleship that displays the inseparability of holiness and social action. Roberts shows us there are no limits to the church's prophetic witness, and that the world's 'business as usual' approach is strikingly out of step with the way things are in the world that has been forever changed by Christ. --Benjamin D. Wayman, James F. and Leona N. Andrews Chair for Christian Unity, Greenville University, author of Ordaining Women: New Edition with an Introduction and Notes by B. T. Roberts Earnest expands the scope of study of B.T. Roberts beyond just Biblical history and theology to include economics, environmentalism, and rhetoric. Specifically, Dr. Berry's classical rhetorical analysis of Ordaining Women is a much needed addition to the Roberts canon. For anyone interested in studying the holiness movement or nineteenth-century religious reform, Earnest provides a comprehensive glimpse into the burned over district in New York. --Christy Mesaros-Winckles, Chair, Communication Arts and Sciences, Adrian College Andrew Koehl is Professor of Philosophy and Director of General Education at Roberts Wesleyan College. His academic work is in the field of religious epistemology. David Basinger is Professor of Philosophy and Chief Academic Officer at Roberts Wesleyan College. He is editor of Reason and Religious Belief (2013).
