As I have mentioned briefly in the past, I worked as a Methodist youth pastor for a little over year and embraced Wesleyan theology for about a year before that. After much study and deliberation, I am now a charismatic, 5-point Calvinist Baptist.
Quite the shift in theology, but I did retain some Wesleyan influence that I cannot refute or dismiss:
Holiness – Though it is wrong to say that a Biblical understanding Eternal Security is a license to sin, it has been abused and excused by its adherents for centuries. Wesley would say that we should be holy partially because we could lose our salvation if we “backslide” and I surely disagree, there.
Wesleyan thought emphasizes that the Christian life must be lived out in a holy way, most notably through love. The Acts 2 church was known for their love. Though I believe that we are holy in God’s sight through Christ’s death on the cross apart from any works of our own and I disagree with Wesley that we can ever be perfectly holy this side of Heaven, we are not excused from being the people that God calls us to be. Take a look at Wesley’s Holy Club to see a group that we should all model ourselves after.
Experience – This is one of Wesley’s “four proofs.” He states that Scripture is the strongest proof of Christianity, with the next strongest being experience. Wesley is quoted as saying, “What the Scriptures promise, I enjoy.” It was his testimony that his faith grew to its pinnacle when he experience in his soul what he read in the Word.
I can’t say I disagree at all, here. God’s provision and the Spirit-driven joy that I find in all situations is the anchor that keeps my faith unshaken. Scripture proving Itself in my life has an immeasurable impact on my love and devotion to Him.
Though there isn’t much that I agree with Wesley on, these two thoughts have been a great compliment to my strong theological leaning toward Calvinism. It is probably even true that Calvin or Luther could have taught such things, but I learned and appreciated them through the teaching of John Wesley.
I realize that Calvinists (and possibly even more so, Baptists) will shudder at the mention of Wesley being credible, but we cannot discount the impact he had on 18th century Christendom and the current evangelical world.
I pray that we would appreciate the strengths of those who we may not have much common ground with. We are small fish in a big pond, my friends!
I haven’t studied exactly what Wesley meant with what he was talking about holiness. However, Hebrews 5 tells us that Jesus became the source of eternal salvation for those who obey Him. II Peter 1:10-11 says “Therefore, brethren, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you; for as long as you practice these things (the character qualities found in verses 5-7), you will never stumble; for in this way the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be abundantly supplied to you.” Now, some would take that to… Read more »
Joe Blackmon, Indwelling of the Spirit is permanent–once for all. Never commanded. Always refered to as a fact. However the filling of the Spirit is commanded; it is imperative in the present experience. Eps5:18 is a command to continually being influenced and mentored by the Spirit through the Word. Some would obey and be mentored. Some would disobey and not be mentored. Israel is an example of those who rebelled agains the Spirit (Acts7:51). Ananias and Sapphira lied to the Spirit and killed (Acts 5:3-4). I see indwelling as related to our positional justification–permanent status in Christ; and filling of… Read more »
Gospel of St. John 14 23 . . . . . . ‘Those who love me will keep my word, and my Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. 24 Whoever does not love me does not keep my words; and the word that you hear is not mine, but is from the Father who sent me. 25 ‘I have said these things to you while I am still with you. 26 But the Advocate,* the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything, and… Read more »
Speaking of those with whom we rarely agree, I am reminded of John Calvin’s words, “it is faith alone which justifies, and yet the faith which justifies is not alone.” I too can “appreciate the strengths of those who we may not have much common ground with.” Next to Calvin, I do not even register on the Theological radar.
Thanks for this post.
Brandon, I, too, used to be Methodist. We left the Methodist back when I was a 13 year old, young man. The Methodists had turned way too liberal in theology for us. The last couple of Pastors we had didnt believe much from the Bible. They denied the miracles of the Bible; didnt believe it was important to believe in the virgin birth, nor the literal, bodily resurrection of Jesus; nor a whole lot of things. They were false teachers…plain and simple. We left that church and went to a church that had a pastor that preached the Bible…Bellevue Baptist… Read more »
David,
Thanks for the testimony, I’m glad to see you in total agreement with me for once! 😉
Just kidding, brother. I know you’re a solid conservative. One of the really good regulars on here.
If I am not mistaken Wesley was a very good friend of the Calvinist evangelist, George Whitefield. They fought each other theologically, but they remained good friends socially.
Yes, they even did ministry together.
Though there isn’t much that I agree with Wesley on Uhhh, how about the doctrine of the Trinity, including the full deity and full humanity of Christ. Regardless of particulars in soteriology — important as they are — Calvin and Wesley agree on the fundamentals of catholic orthodoxy. They even agree on the formal principle of the Reformation: the full sufficiency and sole authority of Scripture. I realize that Calvinists (and possibly even more so, Baptists) will shudder at the mention of Wesley being credible Actually, I’ve only ever encountered very positive acclamations about John Wesley among the Reformed. Obviously,… Read more »
Kevin,
I felt as though Trinity and other primary doctrines were a given and didn’t need to be addrrssed.
There you go feeling.
Always causes a problem haha
Kevin, You said “. . . Regardless of particulars in soteriology — important as they are — Calvin and Wesley agree on the fundamentals of catholic orthodoxy. . . ” In regard to this particular post on experiential holiness, I think Wesley’s soteriology in comparison to Calvin’s is crucial. Let me point out that Lutherans as well as Wesleyans in agreement that a regenerated person CAN NULLIFY his regeneration: “It is clear doctrine of Scripture that believers in Christ may fall from grace or lose their faith, Luke 8:13, 14; 1Tim 1:19. This is proved also by the examples by… Read more »
Brandon, Baptists always say correctly that the Scripture is SUFFICIENT for doctrine (preaching, counseling, etc), and practice (experience). Hence, the Scripture is the absolute anchor for joy & life; while experience as the relative reference for joy in life. While the Wesleyan tradition is big on experience, we know the calvinist tradition is big on Godward aspect of holiness. In the calvinist tradition the emphasis is two-fold (I could be wrong here). I read it in several books of Ferguson, the professor at Westminster seminary: (1) UNION with Christ means justification & sanctification–in our justification also our sanctification. This IS… Read more »
Sorry,
As to the point no 2 above: the IMPLICATION is problematic; IF the imputation of the active obedience of Christ means we have (in Christ) fulfilled the law–the implication is we may do nothing because it is perfected already in Jesus.
Wesley was a good man – a loud proponent of social Christianity who spent his life working with the poor and prisoners. He also was an abolitionist and opposed bigotry, ministering to an imprisoned gay man while also working on the man’s legal case.