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The ArminianA PUBLICATION OF THE FUNDAMENTAL WESLEYAN SOCIETY ISSUE 1 SPRING 2014 VOLUME 32 FIVE KEYS TO WESLEY’S SUCCESS Steve Stanley The Fourth Key: His Method injustice in the nation. He called on his preach- The dictum and directive of early Methodism ers to bear in mind that their business was “to and of John Wesley, was to “spread scriptural save souls.” Not preaching, or entertaining, or holiness throughout the land.” In the “Large building of buildings except as these tended to- Minutes” of 1763, Wesley summarized the ob- ward the salvation of souls. A holy and trans- jective and methodology by which scriptural formed heart would bear the Heavenly Father’s holiness would thus spread. The objective was concern for the bodies and souls of one’s neigh- “to reform the nation, particularly the church.” bors. Thus, Methodism nearly from its incep- He envisioned that the preaching of holiness tion addressed both the physical and spiritual would achieve results beyond those in the indi- needs of the people. Believing that the King- vidual’s life, results that would revive an apa- dom of God is a present reality, Wesley sought thetic church and rectify issues of iniquity and to make practical present application of the teachings of Scripture and to urge his followers to do the same. Thus, among the earliest pro- THE ARMINIAN MAGAZINE nouncements of the “Christian Duties” of a Issue 1 Spring 2014 Volume 32 Methodist were instructions for doing good “to ISSN 1085-2808 the bodies” and “to the souls” “to all men.” Five Keys to Wesley’s Success .................1 The modern reader will now ask, “But what of A Brief Narrative of the Revival in Virginia, Part 3 .....3 his method?” Ours is an age of standardization Who Are Those Assured of a Blessing at the Lord’s Table?. 4 and assembly lines. We long to seize upon a Wesley Stories ..........................4 plan and replicate it. Wesley’s era was less so. The Theology of John Fletcher .................5 His was an age of craftsmen and apprentices, each one of whom – working within the param- Reviews: .............................9 eters of their calling – would be distinguished in John Wesley’s Teachings: Ethics and Society ......9 some measure by the distinctive ways in which Wesley on the Christian Life: The Heart Renewed . 10 they executed their craft. Therefore, Wesley, The Puzzle of Ancient Man ...............11 convicted that the Word of God and of Christ, The Letters of Dr. Thomas Coke.............12 our Savior enjoins us to go into the world and Five Views on Biblical Inerrancy ............13 make disciples of the nations, concluded that Support for Early Methodist Views of Baptism ....14 the task would dictate the methodology. Only in this conviction would this straight-laced son of visit our web site at <fwponline.cc> the Anglican Church be persuaded by friend George Whitefield to the extent that he “con- of their work, Wesley and the Methodists were sented to become more vile” and largely aban- unafraid to innovate and adapt to accomplish don the church buildings to preach Christ’s the mission of saving the lost and reforming the glorious Good News in the fields and streets of nation. The world was not only their parish, it the country. Scriptural holiness must be spread. became a laboratory for discovering the most If the people would not attend the churches, or fruitful means of delivering the Gospel of Jesus if Christ’s messengers were prohibited from Christ and of holistic ministry, as well. preaching in the churches, then they would have to carry the message out into “the highways and Wesley faced enormous opposition from people byways” until all heard. who cared more about preserving old but unpro- ductive methods of evangelizing than about the It was so in the matter of social work, too. The effectiveness of the work. He was lampooned in strictly-observed Christian Sabbath became a the British press, the British stage, and British time of both worship pulpits. He was held up as an object of scorn and training through and dismissed as but one part of a fleeting reli- The Methodists were unafraid Wesley’s early adop- gious fad. But he proved more durable than his to innovate and adapt to tion of (what was then a accusers and lived to be exonerated by the fruit accomplish the mission of novelty) the Sunday of thousands of converts. Not every plan of his Schools begun by Rob- succeeded. Not every method proved useful. saving the lost and reforming ert Raikes. Wesley Yet, his greatest genius was in living by the the nation. wrote, “I verily think bedrock conviction that the Book of God was a these Sunday Schools trustworthy chart and the Holy Spirit an infalli- are one of the noblest specimens of charity ble Guide. With these the path unfolded before which have been set on foot in England since him as he walked in their light. William the Conqueror.” The schools taught the Scriptures along with “reading, writing, and Thus, Wesley advised, arithmetic.” They enforced morality and good Beware, lastly, of imagining you shall ob- manners, fed nutritious meals to the children, tain the end without using the means condu- and rewarded progress in tangible ways. They cive to it. God can give the end without any taught trade skills right alongside the catechism. means at all; but you have no reason to think Wesley’s method was rooted in real-world ex- he will. Therefore constantly and carefully perience. He did not merely pray “thy Kingdom use all those means which He has appointed come,” he employed the most necessary and to be the ordinary channels of His grace. Use every means which either reason or Scrip- beneficial methods to achieve that worthy goal. ture recommends, as conducive (through the Thus, in the Methodist societies, spiritual free love of God in Christ) either to the ob- taining or increasing any of the gifts of God. conferencing (gathering in small groups for Thus expect a daily growth in that pure and spiritual examination and accountability) was holy religion which the world always did, joined with care of the poor, the needy, the and always will, call enthusiasm; but which aged, and the sick. Taking Jesus’ own example, to all who are saved from real enthusiasm — Wesley adapted his methods to the immediate from merely nominal Christianity — is the situation never forgetting that the methods must wisdom of God, and the power of God, the be such as bring glory to God and comport to glorious image of the Most High, righteous- the teachings of His Word. Keeping God’s ness and peace, a “fountain of living water, springing up into everlasting life!” Word and will as the irreplaceable foundation THE ARMINIAN - Page 2 A Brief Narrative of the Revival of Religion in Virginia, Part 3 Devereux Jarratt When the love feast was ended, the doors were And I have been present when they believe that opened. Many who had stayed without then God answered this prayer, and bestowed this came in; and beholding the anguish of some, blessing upon them. I have conversed with them and the rejoicing of others, were filled with as- several times since, and have found them thor- tonishment, and not long after with trembling oughly devoted to God. They all testify, that apprehensions of their own danger. Several of they have received the gift instantaneously, and them prostrating themselves before God, cried by simply faith. We have sundry witnesses of aloud for mercy. And the convictions which this perfect love who are above all suspicion. then began in many, have terminated in a happy and lasting change. It has been frequently observed, that there never was any remarkable revival of religion, but The multitudes that attended on this occasion, some degree of enthusiasm was mingled with it returning home all alive to God, spread the — some wildfire mixed with the sacred flame. It flame through their respective neighborhoods, may be doubted whether this is not unavoidable which ran from family to family: so that scarce in the nature of things. And notwithstanding all any conversation was to be heard throughout the care we have taken, this work has not been the circuit, but concerning the things of God: ei- quite free from it; but it never rose to any con- ther the complaining of the prisoners, groaning siderable height, neither was of long continu- under the spirit of bondage unto fear; or the re- ance. Where the greatest work was — where the joicing of those whom the Spirit of adoption greatest number of souls have been convinced taught to cry, “Abba, Father.” and converted to God, there have been the most outcries, trembling, convulsions, and all sorts of One of the doctrines, as you know, which we external signs. I took all the pains I could that particularly insist upon, is that of a present sal- these might be kept within bounds, that our vation; a salvation not only from the guilt and good might not be evil spoken of. power, but also from the root of sin; a cleansing from all filthiness of flesh and spirit, that we A great part of Virginia is still in a very dark may perfect holiness in the fear of God; a going and deplorable condition. The late work has on to perfection, which we sometimes define by reached only seven or eight counties. Nor has it loving God with all our hearts. Several who had been universal even in these, but chiefly in the believed were deeply sensible of their want of circuit which is regularly visited by the preach- this.