The second distinguishing characteristic of a Wesleyan is the way we view theology. And please remember that the use of the name “Wesleyan” in referring to whom we are as Methodists refers to the fact that John Wesley is the 18th Century church reformer after whose life and teachings  we model our faith life and practice. Let me also say that when we talk about “theology” we are not talking about something that is utterly foreign and unknowable to the average church attendee. The word “theology” means this: the study of the nature of God and religious truth. It’s the same as biology, geology, cosmetology or astrology. It is applied study and learning from a variety of sources toward a particular subject matter. In the case of geology it is applied study and learning in regard to the earth’s crust and the way in which the earth has been formed.
The mistake that is too easily made is in thinking that theology is only done by the “experts” or those who have some specialized training in this particular science. When the reality is that we are doing theology all the time. When you reflect on the pastor’s sermon and what it says about God and your own relationship with God, you are doing theology. When you sit in a Sunday School class and ponder the passages of Scripture discussed and attempt to apply new Biblical truth to your life in the week that follows, you are doing theological work. When you sit by the hospital bedside of a dear friend who is recovering from a difficult surgery and you wonder where is God in all of this, you are doing theology. When you are making a decision about whether or not you should allow your children to schedule soccer practice on a night of the week when your church offers excellent children’s programming, you are doing theology. When you ponder the mysteries of heaven and hell, you are doing theology.
<*><*><*><*><*>The Wesleyan distinctive in regard to theology is that we view
theology as an order of salvation. More than topics or doctrines or a
prescribed way of believing and thinking about God, theology is the
story of God’s grace and our response to that grace through a
disciplined practice of the means of grace. Wesleyans understand God’s
grace to be revealed in four particular “movements.” Prevenient grace
is the grace of God that surrounds us from the moment we are conceived
in our mother’s womb. Converting grace is the grace of God that reaches
into our spirits and causes us to fall on our knees before God,
confessing our sins, and acknowledging our need for a Savior named
Jesus who alone can make us right with God. Sanctifying grace is the
grace that allows us to grow more perfectly in love with God and in
love with our neighbors throughout our lives. Glorifying grace is God’s
grace that carries us from this life to the next and brings to reality
the glorious promises of God that come to them who are His true
children, and brothers and sisters of Jesus. <*><* />Our response to all
of this undeserved favor that God showers upon us is what Wesleyans
refer to as holiness of heart and life. This is a way of saying that
Wesleyans understand Christianity more as a life to be lived than a set
of beliefs to be affirmed. This is not to say that we don’t have
particular theological emphases. Overt the next several weeks I will
set some of them forth for you. <* /><* />Here are the means of grace that John Wesley encouraged the early class members to be engaged in:<*><*>Attending public worship<*>engaging in the ministry of the Word, either read or taught<*>taking the Lord’s Supper whenever possible<*>practicing family and private prayer<*>searching the Scriptures<*>fasting or abstinence<*> <*> This is by no means an exhaustive list, but is rather
foundational in its expression of ways in which Wesleyans practice
theology. The theological enterprise belongs to the whole people of
God, not only to the select few who are deemed worthy or educated
enough. Embrace your identity as one who is engaged in the study of
God. It is a worthy pursuit; it is truly Wesleyan; and God is well
pleased to have you involved with Him.
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