The Life of John Wesley

Summary

This lecture delves into the life of John Wesley and the Methodist movement's emergence within 18th-century evangelicalism. Born in 1703, Wesley was influenced by the theological currents of the time, including his mother's dissenting faith and his father's Anglicanism. His strict upbringing and near-death experience at age five shaped his religious fervor. After a transformative 'heart-warming' experience in 1738, Wesley's focus on sanctification and his missionary endeavors in America, particularly Georgia, led to the Methodist Church's establishment. The lecture also touches on Wesley's interactions with the Moravians and his theological development, contrasting with George Whitfield's views.

Takeaways

• 😀 John Wesley is a central figure in the Methodist movement and 18th-century evangelicalism, yet his life and teachings are often misunderstood outside their historical context.
• 🏛️ Wesley's theological development was significantly influenced by the religious and political landscape of 17th-century England, particularly the reign of Charles II.
• 🌟 Along with his brother Charles and George Whitefield, Wesley was instrumental in shaping the Christian voice in the 18th century, especially in the context of the American colonies.
• 🌐 The Methodist movement, with its emphasis on revival and personal holiness, played a crucial role in the democratization of the Christian life and the formation of American evangelicalism.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Born in 1703, Wesley was one of 19 children to Samuel and Susanna Wesley, with his mother's dissenting background influencing his religious views.
• 🔥 A formative event in Wesley's life was a childhood house fire from which he was dramatically rescued, an experience he later interpreted as a divine call to service.
• 📚 Wesley's time at Christ Church, Oxford, was marked by intense study and a growing interest in the application of God's law to personal holiness.
• 🙏 The 'Holy Club' at Oxford, which Wesley led, was known for its rigorous spiritual practices and social work, earning them the nickname 'Methodists'.
• 🚢 Wesley's missionary journey to the American colony of Georgia was marked by personal and professional challenges, including a failed relationship and conflicts with the community.
• 💔 Wesley's 'conversion' experience at Aldersgate in 1738, where he felt his heart 'strangely warmed', represented a pivotal moment in his spiritual journey, emphasizing the conquest of sin over justification by faith alone.
• 🌱 The Methodist Church that Wesley would eventually lead combined elements of English dissenting theology, German Lutheran Pietism, and a focus on sanctification and personal holiness.

Q & A

Who is John Wesley and why is he significant?

John Wesley is a significant figure in the history of Christianity, known as the founder of the Methodist movement within the 18th-century evangelicalism. He is significant because he, along with his brother Charles and George Whitefield, shaped the Christian voice in the English-speaking world during the 18th century, influencing both colonial America and the post-Revolutionary era.

What was the context of John Wesley's rise within the Methodist movement?

John Wesley's rise within the Methodist movement was influenced by the theological ideas of the 17th century, the reign of Charles II, and the cultural, political, and social changes of the 18th century, including the democratization of the Christian life and the breakdown of old European confessional churches as they moved into the new world.

What were the characteristics of the 'Holy Club' that John Wesley was a part of?

The 'Holy Club,' also known as the Methodists, was a group that met for rigorous spiritual practices, including prayer, reading Psalms, fasting, and social work such as prison ministry. They were known for their serious approach to their Christian faith and were often mocked for being too serious about their religion.

How did John Wesley's upbringing influence his religious views?

John Wesley was born into a religious household; his father, Samuel, was a pastor, and his mother, Susanna, was the daughter of a dissenting pastor. Their strict household rules and emphasis on education, particularly in Greek and Latin, as well as spiritual life, significantly influenced Wesley's religious views and his later commitment to a life of sanctification.

What event during John Wesley's childhood is often cited as a significant moment in his life?

At the age of five, John Wesley was saved from a house fire by neighbors. This event is often cited as significant because Wesley himself later interpreted it as a divine intervention, referring to himself as a 'brand plucked from the fire,' which he saw as a sign of God's plan for him to lead a Reformation and revival in the church.

What was the turning point for John Wesley during his time at Oxford?

While at Oxford, John Wesley's turning point was his immersion in reading about the Christian life and the application of God's law for personal holiness. This led to a nuanced understanding of sanctification and contributed to the origins of the Methodist movement.

Why did John Wesley travel to the new world?

John Wesley traveled to the new world to engage in missionary work, particularly with the intention of ministering to those who were moving to Georgia to start over, as well as to the Native Americans. His passion for social justice and the desire to do good works in a radical way drove this decision.

What were the two major crises John Wesley faced while in Savannah?

The two major crises John Wesley faced in Savannah were his loss of nerve and trust in God during a storm at sea, where he was outdone by the calmness of the Moravians, and his relationship with Sophie Hopkey, which ended with him withholding communion from her and her new husband, leading to his expulsion from Savannah.

What was the significance of John Wesley's experience at Aldersgate on May 24, 1738?

John Wesley's experience at Aldersgate on May 24, 1738, is considered his conversion experience. He described it as a moment when his heart was 'strangely warmed' as he heard the preface to Luther's Romans commentary read aloud. This event marked a significant shift in his understanding of the Christian life, focusing on the eradication and conquering of sin within oneself.

How did John Wesley's views on sanctification differ from the Lutheran perspective?

John Wesley's views on sanctification were distinct from the Lutheran perspective in that he emphasized the importance of conquering sin in one's life, which was more aligned with the dissenting and Baptist traditions focused on holiness. Unlike the Lutheran emphasis on justification by faith alone, Wesley's conversion experience and teachings leaned towards the emotional and experiential aspects of faith, influenced by Pietism.