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The Means Of Grace: Wesley's Mediation Between Naturalism And Mysticism, Kevin Twain Lowery

Faculty Scholarship – Theology

John Wesley believed that the grace of God is offered freely to human beings and is not merited. However, Wesley taught that there are means of grace that, when utilized, avail the grace of God to us in greater degrees. Although we do not earn God’s grace, we must engage in particular practices if we expect God to act in our behalf, because God has chosen to work through natural means. This paper outlines the way that this doctrine represents a mediating position between naturalism and mysticism and identifies several implications that can be made from this view of grace.