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Full-Text Articles in Arts and Humanities
The Practical Theology Of The General Rules, Andrew C. Thompson
The Practical Theology Of The General Rules, Andrew C. Thompson
The Asbury Journal
The “General Rules of the United Societies” were a central component of the early Methodist movement under John Wesley’s leadership. Examinations of the General Rules in contemporary literature tend to focus on their role in personal and organizational discipline for early Methodists and for the movement as a whole. Yet a close examination of the rules shows that they served a greater purpose: as the practical theological articulation of how Methodists could expect to experience sanctification in the context of their lives. This crucial aspect of the General Rules’ use can be seen by exploring Wesley’s understanding of the means …
A Brief Look At Methodology And Grace In Wesleyan Theology, Kyle Blanchette
A Brief Look At Methodology And Grace In Wesleyan Theology, Kyle Blanchette
The Asbury Journal
In a recent piece for the Asbury Theological Journal, Nathan Crawford has attempted to put current understandings of emergent phenomena within the neurosciences in conversation with Christian soteriology; in particular, Crawford has sought to link up themes found in emergence with distinctively Wesleyan perspectives on sanctification. In this article, I offer some reflections on theological methodology in light of Crawford's analysis, and I identify some needed clarifications of Kenneth J. Collins's model of John Wesley's soteriology. In the latter half of the piece, I present a critical analysis of the issue of monergism and synergism in Wesley's understanding of grace.
Conversion, Justification, And The Experience Of Grace In The Post-Aldergate Wesley: Towards An Understanding Of Who Is "A Child Of God.", Marlon D. De Blasio
Conversion, Justification, And The Experience Of Grace In The Post-Aldergate Wesley: Towards An Understanding Of Who Is "A Child Of God.", Marlon D. De Blasio
The Asbury Journal
Aldersgate is highlighted from the angle of its significance on Wesley's theological thinking and subsequent ministry, rather than from an emphasis on his point of conversion. The Post-Aldersgate Wesley developed a soteriological understanding that identified a "child of God" with distinct qualifications, namely justification by faith, the experience of grace, and the indwelling Spirit. A theology of conversion also emerges with definitive markers that constitute a new standing from non-Christian to Christian. Shifts in Wesley's theological understanding of Christian faith are evaluated. Justification by faith remained a strict soteriological principle in the mind of the mature Wesley. As well, the …
Charles Wesley's Doctrine Of The Holy Spirit: A Vital Resource For The Renewal Of Methodism Today, Jason E. Vickers
Charles Wesley's Doctrine Of The Holy Spirit: A Vital Resource For The Renewal Of Methodism Today, Jason E. Vickers
The Asbury Journal
This essay is an extended argument in favor of a recovery of a robust doctrine of the Holy Spirit in Wesleyan-Methodist theology today The argument develops in five stages. First, it shows the significance of the person and work of the Holy Spirit in Charles Wesley's understanding of revelation, the atonement, purification, sanctification and the like. Second, it suggests that contemporary Wesleyan theologians have often ceased attributing these things to d1e presence and work of the Holy Spirit, opting to attribute them in a generic way to grace instead. Third, it provides a conceptual analysis of the difference between the …