Wesleyan theology, named after John Wesley, is the theology of the Methodist Church. It is influenced by Arminian theology and notable for its threefold view of grace and practical concern for social justice. It presents a model of soteriology consisting of prevenient grace, justifying grace, and sanctifying grace, all freely given by God. Wesleyans believe in the connection between faith and works, leading to concern for issues such as health care reform, prison reform, and human rights.
Named after its best-known figure, John Wesley (1703-1791), Wesleyan theology is the theology of the Methodist Church. Wesley, who remained in the Church of England all his life, did not intend to create his own denomination; however, problems of systematic theology and practice eventually caused his followers to break away from his parent church. While influenced by Arminian theology, Wesleyan theology is notable for its threefold view of grace and its practical concern for social justice.
Wesleyan theology derives from the Arminian tradition of soteriology, or theology of salvation. While Calvinist theologians argue that people are saved by irresistible grace through divine election, Arminians argue that humans are able to accept or reject God’s grace. Calvinists believe that God predestined some people – known as the elect – to be saved, while all others are condemned. Arminianism, on the other hand, claims that all people have the capacity to receive grace. Wesley expanded on this theology of grace, presenting a three-part model of soteriology consisting of prevenient grace, justifying grace, and sanctifying grace, all freely given by God and cannot be earned through good works.
Preventive means “to come first”. According to Wesleyan theology, God extends this kind of grace to all people before they are saved. Without preemptive grace, no one would be able to reach God on their own, but the existence of this type of grace allows people to choose to accept or deny Christ. This contrasts with the Calvinist belief that salvation is available only to the elect, who are forced to accept it.
Justifying grace is grace that is given only to those who choose to accept it by faith. In the Wesleyan view, this is the kind of grace that allows a person to be justified – or seen as holy – in God’s eyes. Only those who accept justifying grace are free from the guilt of sin and are, therefore, able to have eternal salvation.
The work of sanctifying grace, according to Wesley, is to transform or regenerate the believer into the image of Christ. While justifying grace is given at conversion as a one-time event, sanctifying grace operates throughout the believer’s life to actually make his heart and actions more Christlike and holy. While acknowledging that no human can actually be perfect, Wesleyans believe that sanctifying grace brings a person closer to that goal.
Closely related to this view of sanctifying grace is Wesleyan theology’s emphasis on practical expressions of faith. As the believer becomes more Christlike, he will be increasingly concerned with the development of spiritual community and social justice. This belief in the connection between faith and works has often led Methodists to concern themselves with issues such as health care reform, prison reform, and human rights.
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