Development of John Wesleys Theology Essays - 1621 Words

The Development of John Wesley’s Theology John Wesley deserved to receive the doctoral robe offered by Marin Luther as he successfully reconciled â€Å"salvation by faith alone† with â€Å"faith without works is dead.† A review of the key events in Wesley’s life and his developing thoughts indicates that it was a process that took a lifetime to achieve. Thus, I am left to wonder whether a doctoral robe would be sufficient recognition for such a monumental achievement. To properly address this issue, a survey of Wesley’s theological formation is in order. Wesley’s journals suggest that he was tossed â€Å"by the winds of doctrine† to and fro as he sought to understand what one must do to be saved: Is one saved by â€Å"faith alone,† â€Å"works alone,† or†¦show more content†¦. . .† (Id.) Accordingly, Wesley determined that his inner spiritual life was of supreme importance and seemingly accepted that â€Å"faith without works is dead.† Wesleys experience of the Moravians during his fateful visit to Georgia and upon his return to England marked a key turning point in Wesley’s understanding of faith. During a terrible storm at sea, Wesley observed that the Moravians set calmly singing and praying while Wesley was in fear for his life. Wesley was surprised to learn that the Moravians were not afraid of dying. Thus, he concluded that he was not yet saved: â€Å"I went to Americ a to convert the Indians but, oh, who shall convert me?† (John Wesley, p. 44). Wesley arrived back in England a spiritual mess. He had been unsuccessful in accomplishing the goals of his ministry and had been forced to leave Georgia under legal duress. It was at this spiritual low point that a Moravian priest, Peter Bohler, found Wesley. Seeking spiritual direction, Wesley consulted with Bohler who recognized Wesleys misconception of faith as an intellectual assent to truth. Bowler eventually convince Wesley that faith meant a sure sense of confidence in salvation, demonstratedShow MoreRelated John Wesley and the Methodist Church- Analysis of â€Å"Methodism and the Christian Heritage in England†1249 Words   |  5 Pagesbeen a firm believer that if one does not understand where you come from you can have little understanding of where your heading. The first thirty-two pages of the book on â€Å"Methodism and the Christian Heritage in England† gave a background as to Wesley’s foundation that so many authors overlook. The first page summed it up best in: â€Å"The long course of English ecclesiastical history met the force of a new concern for renewal, both individual and institutional. A long tradition of propositional certaintyRead MoreStanding On The Shoulder Of Giants1712 Words   |  7 Pageswas an early leader of the movement. The holiness tradition or movement started in the early eighteenth century by John Wesley. The tradition holiness movement center on virtue. The holiness tradition focused on the Christian living a virtuous life through their thoughts, words, and actions. Two giants of these traditions are Henri Nouwen of the contemplative movement and John Wesley of the holiness of the holiness movement. In the Streams of living water, Richard J. Foster Writes that becomingRead MoreJohn Wesley s Spiritual Journey2351 Words   |  10 PagesIntroduction†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦1 John Wesley’s Spiritual Journey†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦...1 The Formation of the Methodist†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦3 The Organization of the Small Groups for Discipleship†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.6 (1) Society (2) Classes (3) Band Conclusion†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦8 Bibliography†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.10 ii Introduction In God’s own wisdom, He calls some individuals to fulfill the ministry of proclaiming the gospel and caring for God’s people in a form that is referred to as the ordained ministry. John Wesley was oneRead MoreThe United Methodist Church’s Book of Discipline Essay1169 Words   |  5 Pagesconcept of the Wesleyan Quadrilateral. Interestingly, John Wesley never actually used the term â€Å"quadrilateral† and the American Methodist scholar, Albert C. Outler, who later stated that he regretted doing so as it has been misconstrued, named it. As for John Wesley, he was an 18th century British Evangelist who is credited for founding the Methodist Christian movement. The Wesleyan Quadrilateral provides the format for an organized study of Theology. The four properties are Scripture, Reason, TraditionRead MoreAnalysis and Reflection of Square Peg: Why Wesleyans Arent Fundamentalists1074 Words   |  5 Pagesrole of the Bible that mark different parts of Christ’s church. The first is represented by fundamentalism; the second by Wesleyan theology. The goal of the book is to help persons in Wesleyan denominations clearly understand the differences between Wesleyan theology and fundamentalist theology, and that even though both are of the Christian faith, how the theology between the two are incompatible with one another. â€Å"Without becoming divisive or claiming perfection in Christian doctrine, the variousRead MoreVinson Syn A Christian Scholar And Dean Emeritus1012 Words   |  5 Pagesdeveloped by John Wesley and Keswick movements. Summary Synan’s book is organized into fourteen chapters where he explores the main Pentecostal movements that marked the development of Christianity in America. The author opens the book with an analysis of the developments that shaped the Methodist church in America such as the revivals, the camping meetings, and John Wesley’s contributions to American Christians. Synan also points out the significance of Charles Finney and his Theology (14-15). InRead MoreMy Current Art Practice : A Positive Attitude Towards Western Christianity, Spirituality And The Church Essay838 Words   |  4 Pagesthe church as a whole, and examine what it means to be a child within the church and having a voice that is not necessarily always heard. In order to fully realize these objectives, a thorough research into the scope of religion, play and brain development in childhood in conjunction with each other is required. Particular attention needs to be paid to the Gospel of Mark, which is primarily influential to the body of work I intend to produce. My impressions of the Christian Church are formed by myRead MoreEssay on The Humanity of God by Karl Barth1825 Words   |  8 Pagesthree writings by Karl Barth. I focused specifically on his writing Evangelical Theology in the 19th Century. Barth begins by defining theology broadly and then evangelical theology specifically, he then expounds on its history, the theologians who represented it and the groundwork it was built on. He also discusses issues brought up by problems in the initial groundwork. This paper will explore the nature of theology drawing from the examples of the 19th century set by Barth and compare and contrastRead MoreBiography Of Charles Married Sarah Sally s Father Of The Wesleys ( Lloyd 93-94 )1876 Words   |  8 PagesMarmaduke Gwynne, was a friend of the Wesleys (Lloyd 89-90). John was not pleased about the engagement because he felt that the bond he shared with Charles would be damaged as a result of the marriage. He was also angered by the fact that Char les proposed to Sally without consulting him, breaking a promise the two of them had made to discuss all marriage plans with each other before proceeding. Despite his disfavor of the marriage, John did not hate Sally personally (Lloyd 93-94). Before the marriageRead MoreThe Lyrics And Music Of The Beloved Hymn2515 Words   |  11 Pagesimmigrating to the United States. It was Knapp’s mother who is credited with promoting John Wesley’s doctrine of Christian perfection. Here we can begin to sense the influences experienced by Knapp during her formative years. Knapp married one of the founders of the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company and its second president Joseph Fairchild Knapp. The couple enjoyed a life of comfort and were members of the Old John Street Methodist Episcopal Church, the congregation is the oldest Methodist congregation