Prevenient grace has been a bone of contention between Wesleyan and Calvinist Christians for nearly five hundred years. Dr. Shelton traces the biblical and historical roots of this concept and concludes that it is vital to understanding how God reaches sinful human beings. "How ironic--a doctrine central to the heart of the Wesleyan theological tradition that now is in danger of being lost in obscurity. Prevenient grace has escaped the notice many believers today, even those in the Wesleyan tradition. But no longer!"--Barry L. Callen, Former Editor, Journal of the Wesleyan Theological Society