Talk with John Wesley

John Wesley was an Anglican cleric and theologian who, along with his brother Charles Wesley and fellow cleric George Whitefield, is credited with the founding of the evangelical movement known as Methodism. Born on June 17, 1703, in Epworth, Lincolnshire, England, Wesley was a central figure in the 18th-century Christian revival that also came to be known as the Great Awakening.

Educated at Christ Church, Oxford, Wesley later taught at the university, where he formed the "Holy Club." This group, initially founded by his brother Charles, was sarcastically termed "Methodists" by others due to their methodical approach to religious observance and study.

Wesley's theology stressed the importance of scriptural holiness, the need for an experiential faith, a belief in the practical application of Christianity to daily life, and the concept of sanctification. He was keen on preaching the idea that faith in Christ could lead to a dramatic transformation in the lives of believers.

His missionary zeal led him to widely travel, particularly throughout Great Britain, where he propagated his religious beliefs via sermons, meetings, and forming societies. Wesley emphasized a life of discipline and simplicity, and he had a significant impact on various social reform movements of the time.

Wesley's wide-ranging correspondence, sermons, and writings have had a lasting impact on Christianity, especially within Methodism, which today is a worldwide Christian denomination. He died on March 2, 1791, leaving a legacy of vibrant Christian faith characterized by its emphasis on the grace of God and the obligation of Christians to exhibit love in both faith and action.

John Wesley's upbringing had a profound influence on his religious beliefs and practices. Born on June 17, 1703, in Epworth, Lincolnshire, England, Wesley was the fifteenth child of Samuel Wesley, a rector of the Church of England, and Susanna Wesley, a woman of exceptional piety and discipline. His family environment was deeply religious and strongly Anglican, emphasizing strict adherence to Christian teachings, regular attendance of church services, and systematic Bible study.

Susanna Wesley herself was highly influential in shaping John's religious outlook. She conducted regular, structured homeschooling sessions for her children, combining general education with robust religious instruction. This included teaching her children to sing Psalms, read Scripture, and memorize the Catechism of the Church of England. Susanna also demonstrated a disciplined and methodical approach to life, qualities she imparted to John, which later became evident in his methodical approach towards his ministry and the organization of the Methodist movement.

Moreover, the emphasis on personal piety, discipline, and the importance of a personal experience of faith practiced within the Wesley household were significant, as these elements later became central to Wesley's own religious convictions and teachings. His upbringing, in a home where theological discussions were common and where the parents served as role models of devout Christian conduct, equipped Wesley with a strong foundation in both theology and practical piety that guided his actions throughout his life and shaped the Methodist movement.

John Wesley's concept of salvation is a central element of his theological teachings, and it is closely tied to his Arminian doctrinal stance. Wesley’s view on salvation can be considered both a personal and a transformative process that involves several key aspects:

1. Prevenient Grace: Wesley believed in prevenient grace, which is the grace that works in individuals' lives before they are aware of it, opening their hearts to the possibility of faith. This grace is seen as God’s active presence in the entire human race, which precedes any human effort and enables people to seek God.

2. Justification by Faith: For Wesley, justification was a pivotal aspect of salvation. It refers to an individual’s acceptance by God, which is made possible through faith in Jesus Christ. This faith is not just intellectual assent but a trustful reliance on Christ as the savior. Justification is also closely associated with forgiveness of sins and peace with God.

3. New Birth: Following justification, Wesley taught that believers experience the new birth (or regeneration), which is a transformation of life brought about by the Holy Spirit. This new birth results in a new nature and a new way of living oriented towards God.

4. Sanctification or Holiness: Wesley placed a strong emphasis on sanctification, which he saw as the process of becoming more like Christ. This involves a gradual cleansing from sin and a growth in love and righteousness. Wesley described this as a second work of grace that leads to a life of loving God completely and loving one’s neighbors as oneself.

5. Christian Perfection: Wesley controversially taught the doctrine of Christian perfection, which he defined as loving God and neighbors perfectly, resulting from the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit. He did not mean that this perfection was free from ignorance or mistakes, but rather that a Christian could live free from deliberate sin by the power of the Holy Spirit.

6. Assurance of Salvation: Wesley also taught that believers could have an assurance of their salvation through the inner witness of the Holy Spirit. This assurance brought confidence in the love and mercy of God and typically resulted in greater spiritual vitality and life.

This comprehensive understanding of salvation reflects Wesley's belief in a dynamic and ongoing relationship with God, emphasizing a continuous growth in faith and love.

John Wesley's influence on other religious leaders and movements is profound and multifaceted. As the founder of Methodism, his theological insights, emphasis on personal holiness and social justice, and innovative approaches to church organization left a lasting impact on Christianity.

1. Evangelical Revival: Wesley was a central figure in the 18th-century Evangelical Revival in Britain. His teachings and Methodist practices influenced contemporaries like George Whitefield and later evangelical leaders, helping to shape the course of evangelical Christianity.

2. Methodist Churches Worldwide: Wesley’s organizational skills contributed to the establishment and growth of Methodist societies. These societies later evolved into several independent Methodist denominations around the world, each bearing traces of his theological and ecclesiastical blueprint.

3. Holiness Movement: Wesley’s emphasis on Christian perfection and personal holiness catalyzed the Holiness Movement in the 19th century, particularly in the United States. This movement emphasized a second work of grace and promoted a lifestyle devoid of sin after conversion.

4. Social Reform: Wesley’s concern for social issues, like prison reform, education for children in poor areas, and the abolition of slavery influenced religious leaders who were also social reformers. His advocacy for justice in socioeconomic practices set a precedent for later religious movements that integrate social action with spiritual concerns.

5. Pentecostalism and Charismatic Movements: Though not a direct line, Wesley’s teachings on the work of the Holy Spirit and the pursuit of a deeper, experiential faith influenced the theological underpinnings of Pentecostalism and the Charismatic movement later on.

6. Ecumenical Relationships: Wesley’s idea of "Catholic Spirit", where he advocated for tolerance and unity among different Christian denominations, has inspired leaders working towards ecumenical relations.

Through these influences, John Wesley has left a legacy that not only shaped Methodism but also had a broad impact on the wider Christian tradition, affecting theological thought, church practices, and the emphasis on social righteousness within the Christian community.

John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, was involved in several controversies during his lifetime, primarily revolving around theological issues, his method of ministry, and his personal life. Some of the major controversies include:

1. Method of Preaching: Wesley's approach to itinerant preaching, where he traveled and preached outdoors or in unconventional venues, clashed with the established Anglican Church's norms. This method, known as "field preaching," was criticized by many traditional clergy who felt it disrupted the order and decorum of established church services.

2. Doctrine of Assurance: Wesley taught that individuals could receive an assurance of their salvation, a concept that was contentious within the Anglican Church. Critics argued that this could lead to antinomianism (the belief that grace frees Christians from obeying moral law) and detracted from the church's emphasis on continual repentance and humility.

3. Doctrine of Christian Perfection: Wesley's teaching on Christian perfection or entire sanctification was another theological point of contention. He believed and taught that Christians could reach a state of perfect love and freedom from willful sin in this life. This was viewed by many as unrealistic and heretical, sparking significant debate within both Methodist and non-Methodist circles.

4. Ordination Controversies: Later in his life, Wesley took it upon himself to ordain ministers for the work in America, an act that was controversial because it breached the traditional boundaries of ecclesiastical authority within the Anglican Church. His ordination of Thomas Coke as a 'superintendent' (later termed a bishop) was particularly contentious as it was seen as a move toward establishing a church independent of Anglican oversight.

5. Relations with Other Religious Movements: Wesley’s views and interactions with other religious movements also stirred controversies. For instance, his critique of Calvinism, especially regarding predestination and election, led to public disputes with prominent Calvinist preachers. His engagement with the Moravians also led to a conflict over theological issues, particularly around quietism and the use of lots for decision-making.

6. Personal Life: Wesley’s marriage to Molly Vazeille was troubled and became a matter of public controversy. His failure to maintain a harmonious personal life was often used by his detractors to criticize his moral authority and leadership capabilities.

These controversies, among others, marked Wesley's career, reflecting both his influence in religious circles and the challenges of pioneering a new Christian movement.

John Wesley's experience on Aldersgate Street is one of the most significant events in his spiritual life, marking a profound personal transformation. On May 24, 1738, while attending a meeting in a Moravian chapel on Aldersgate Street in London, Wesley experienced what he described in his journal as his heart being "strangely warmed." This moment occurred as he listened to the reading of Martin Luther's preface to the Epistle to the Romans, which discusses the nature of faith and justification by faith.

From this experience, Wesley learned and internalized the assurance of salvation by faith alone. Prior to this, he had been struggling with feelings of insecurity about his salvation and a rigorous, often scrupulous, pursuit of holiness. The Aldersgate experience taught him that salvation was not something to be earned by stringent observance of religious practices or good works, but was a gift from God received through faith in Jesus Christ. This realization became foundational to his theological views and played a crucial role in his preaching and the Methodist movement he led, emphasizing personal faith and the assurance of God’s grace.

John Wesley had a profound theology of grace, which is a central theme in his teachings and in Methodist doctrine. He articulated his understanding of grace in a way that it becomes accessible and practical in the daily lives of believers. Wesley’s concept of grace can be generally categorized into three aspects: prevenient grace, justifying grace, and sanctifying grace.

1. Prevenient Grace: Wesley believed that grace acts in the lives of all people from before they are aware of it. Prevenient grace, also called preventing grace, is the divine grace that precedes human decision. It's active in all of humanity and initiates the process of drawing individuals towards God. Wesley taught that this grace enables the possibility of salvation and prepares the human heart to respond to God. It is universal and works as an enabling power that allows individuals to seek God.

2. Justifying Grace: This aspect of grace refers to the moment an individual accepts and trusts in Jesus Christ as their Savior. According to Wesley, justifying grace forgives and absolves an individual of their sins through faith in Jesus Christ. This grace is received through faith, and it restores one's relationship with God, making them justified before Him. It is through justifying grace that a believer is born again, or regenerated.

3. Sanctifying Grace: Following justification, Wesley taught that Christians are to grow in holiness and love, a process facilitated by sanctifying grace. This form of grace is ongoing and involves the transformation of the believer’s life and character to attain holiness. Sanctifying grace helps believers to mature in love, leading them towards a life of Christian perfection, which Wesley defined as being perfected in love or having a heart entirely devoted to God. Wesley encouraged believers to seek this perfection earnestly.

Wesley's teachings on grace emphasize the transformative power of God’s love and the continuous growth in holiness and Christian character. This comprehensive understanding of grace highlights both the initiating work of God in salvation and the ongoing process that encourages spiritual growth and maturation in the life of the believer.

John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, did not believe in predestination, at least in the sense that it is commonly understood in Calvinist theology. Predestination, in Calvinism, involves the belief that God has preordained some people to be saved (the elect) and others to be damned (the reprobate), irrespective of individual free will.

Wesley strongly opposed this view. He was an Arminian, meaning he believed that God has granted humans free will to accept or reject divine grace. Wesley argued that Christ's atonement was available to all people, not just a pre-selected few. This concept is captured in Wesley's doctrine of "universal grace," suggesting that salvation is accessible to all but requires individual acceptance.

This theological stance was one of the key points that distinguished Wesleyan Methodism from Calvinist movements of the time, emphasizing a more inclusive and universally accessible vision of salvation. Wesley’s sermons and writings, including his famous sermon "Free Grace," articulate his opposition to unconditional predestination and affirm his belief in free will and universal redemption.

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