Christian Thought: Basic Christian beliefs and doctrines

Study sheet: "The Wesleyan Perspective"

  1. John Wesley's mother imbued in him the Puritan concern for
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  2. Wesley stands with the Reformers in proclaiming that totally depraved humans can choose God's way because of
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  3. The inner witness of the Holy Spirit to the
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    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
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    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.

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 founding what became the Methodist Church. John Wesley was born in Epworth, Lincolnshire, England. He was an ordained minister in the Church of England (also known as the Anglican Church).

Wesley is best known for his role in the Methodist revival. That began as a revitalization 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 could gather to hear him. His preaching emphasized personal faith, holiness, and social justice. To promote spiritual growth and accountability among his followers, he organized societies and class meetings..

Wesley was a prolific writer. His sermons, hymns, and theological writings continue to influence Christianity. The Methodist movement he helped start grew into one of the largest Protestant denominations in the world. 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