Wesleyan

Ross Woods, 2022

Wesleyanism is the set of beliefs that was started by John Wesley, and was generally held in the Methodist and Wesleyan church. Wesley was an Anglican and much of his theology is derived from Anglicanism, for example, the role of infant baptism. He was also an evangelist who ministered to a significant revival across England. His churches were placed in “circuits” in which one pastor oversaw several churches, and a synod oversaw the denomination. To be ordained in some of those churches, candidates must still sign agreement with Wesley’s sermons.

The defining theological characteristic of debate is Armenianism. Armenius was a Dutch theologian of the late 16th century and beginning of the 17th century. His beliefs had five main aspects:

1. Man has free will. In order to be saved, one must decide to accept the Gospel.
2. Conditional election. God foreknew who would respond to the Gospel.
3. Christ died for all, but it only takes effect when people believe.
4. Man can resist the work of the Holy Spirit in regeneration.
5. True believers can “fall away” from grace.1

Some Armenians have also believed that man can reach a state of sinless perfection.

Those who hold strict Reformed views tend to accuse Wesleyans of semi-Pellagianism. (Pellagius was a fifth-centry heretic who taught that man can choose to live free of sin.)

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1. Based on www.apuritansmind.com/tulip/the-five-points-of-calvinism-by-w-j-seaton/