Third Thursday of Easter

Lectionary texts:

1 John 3:4-10

Luke 24:44-43

Today we continue our study of Wesley and early Methodism. As we have gone along in this study, I have been reading Kenneth Collins's book, John Wesley: A Theological Journey. I have stated many times that I am a Biblical scholar and a historian, not theologian. Even though early Methodism is about 16 centuries out of my field, I have still read enough that I can present a reasonably coherent and accurate narrative of eartly Methodist history. I've just bumped into a really long chapter in Collins on Wesley's theology. Even though I know a lot of the basic concepts, I don't have anything like an in-depth understanding of Wesley's theology. I did know enough to pass my ordination exams many years ago, but the exams weren't that hard. They are much harder today. All of which is to say I'm going to tread lightly on theology. I'll just hit the most important points and give you something of what I know, hoping that it's not too inaccurate or misleading.

Wesley's chief and most important theological concept was grace. His original theological contribution to the understanding of grace was his concept of "prevenient" grace. Wesley believed that God's grace was operative in us even before we were born. Although Wesley was not ready to jettison the Augustinian concept of original sin (as I am), grace outweighed sin in the formation of the Christian life. This put Wesley squarely against the Calvinists. John Calvin, who lived two centuries early, had taken Augustine's doctrine of original sin and spun out a whole understanding of humanity. 

Calvin regarded sin as such a powerful evil force that it completely controlled humanity. Humans were by their very nature "utterly depraved." All humans are thoroughly deserving of going to hell, but God in his grace and mercy has deigned to let some, the elect, to be saved. A person's salvation or damnation has been predetermined from before the beginning by God. God's grace is irresistible for the elect and unattainable for the rest. 

Wesley's emphasis was the other way around. Grace is greater than sin. Grace, not sin, is dominant in God's very being. God apportions that grace freely to all, not just to a small group of elect. Humans are predisposed by the very nature that God has given them to be saved. To be sure, humans also have the ability to renounce their salvation, by either their words or their deeds, and to receive eternal punishment. 

In Calvinism it's all in God's hands. In Wesleyan thought it's God and humans working together. Key verses for Calvinism might be Romans 8:28-30, "...For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son...And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called, he also justified, and those whom he justified, he also glorified." 

For Wesley and for Methodism  key verses are Philippians 2:12-13, "...Work out you own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who is at work in you, enabling you both to will and to work for his good pleasure."

What's your theology?

God of Grace,

For all the grace you have granted us, we are thankful. May we will and and work for your good pleasure. In Christ's name. Amen.

Faithfully,

Christian