Authors Short and Kaiser explore the roots of the Wesleyan tradition and trace Methodism's fusion of soul-seeking gospel proclamation with a focus on social witness and political matters. The book concludes that the proclamation of the gospel of Jesus Christ is the cornerstone from which all lasting, transformative social justice must flow.

Short and Kiser maintain that for modern Methodism to grow in numbers and influence, its members need to become reaquainted with the theology and teaching of the movement's founder, John Wesley. Excellent reading for General Conference Delegates.