Christian Thought: Basic Christian beliefs and doctrines

Study sheet: "The Wesleyan Perspective"

  1. John Wesley's mother imbued in him the Puritan concern for
    _____________________________________________________

  2. Wesley stands with the Reformers in proclaiming that totally depraved humans can choose God's way because of
    _____________________________________________________

  3. The inner witness of the Holy Spirit to the
    _____________________________________________________
    is the birthright of every believer.

  4. To be God's child is to manifest
    _____________________________________________________

  5. Wesley says that real righteousness is our goal and that it can be achieved only through
    _____________________________________________________

  6. Since salvation is given in response to
    ______________________________________________________
    Wesley recognized the possibility of reversing one's decision, falling from grace and totally backsliding from God. [ Can we "lose" our salvation? ]

  7. Wesley looked to three resources to help him understand the Word of God:
    1.  
    2.  
    3.  

Stained glass window representation of John Wesley
John Wesley preaching outdoors

"The Wesleyan Perspective" is part of the introductory material in the Wesley Study Bible, published in 1990 by Word.

For us, John Wesley is not a saint in the way our Roman Catholic friends bestow that title on someone. The reason we talk about John Wesley is that the theological tradition that he helped shape and guide in the 1700s was the core of a revival movement that gave birth to the Church of the Nazarene in the late 1800s and early 1900s.

    -- Howard Culbertson,

Who was John Wesley anyway?

John Wesley (1703-1791) was an English cleric, theologian, and evangelist. He along with his brother Charles Wesley, was instrumental in the founding of the Methodist movement. John Wesley was born in Epworth, Lincolnshire, England, and was ordained as a priest in the Church of England.

Wesley is best known for his role in the Methodist revival, which began as a movement within the Church of England but eventually became a separate denomination. He traveled extensively throughout England, preaching to large crowds in open fields, marketplaces, and wherever people would gather to hear him. His preaching emphasized personal faith, the importance of living a holy life, and social justice.

Wesley was a prolific writer and preacher. He established societies and class meetings for his followers to encourage spiritual growth and accountability. His sermons, hymns, and theological writings have had a lasting impact on Christianity.

John Wesley's influence has extended beyond his lifetime. The Methodist movement he helped start grew into one of the largest Protestant denominations in the world. Furthermore, Wesley's theological perspectives and teachings today shape the beliefs and practices of millions of Christians in a variety of denominations, including the Church of the Nazarene.

More on the Wesleyan theological tradition