A smart Guy, that John Wesley...

[12strings]

From the final paragraphs of John Wesley's "The Question, "What Is an Arminian?" Answered by a Lover of Free Grace

John Calvin was a pious, learned, sensible man; and so was James Harmens. Many Calvinists are pious, learned, sensible men; and so are many Arminians. Only the former hold absolute predestination; the latter, conditional.

One word more: Is it not the duty of every Arminian Preacher, First, never, in public or in private, to use the word Calvinist as a term of reproach; seeing it is neither better nor worse than calling names? -- a practice no more consistent with good sense or good manners, than it is with Christianity. Secondly. To do all that in him lies to prevent his hearers from doing it, by showing them the sin and folly of it? And is it not equally the duty of every Calvinist Preacher, First, never in public or in private, in preaching or in conversation, to use the word Arminian as a term of reproach? Secondly. To do all that in him lies to prevent his hearers from doing it, by showing them the sin and folly thereof; and that the more earnestly and diligently, if they have been accustomed so to do? perhaps encouraged therein by his own example!

 

[Heavenly Pilgrim]

12 Strings, are you a Calvinist?

 

[12strings]

12 Strings, are you a Calvinist?

Mostly...most of the time. Though I have not baptized my 1.5 year old son yet.

Why do you ask?

 

[Heavenly Pilgrim]

If someone looked and said, I believe you are a Calvinist, would you be offended?

Wesley may have indeed been smart, but he was not able to discern why he himself was, in his own words, "'far too close to Calvinism."

 

[12strings]

If someone looked and said, I believe you are a Calvinist, would you be offended?

Wesley may have indeed been smart, but he was not able to discern why he himself was, in his own words, "'far too close to Calvinism."

1. No, I would not be offended. I don't know if I would define limited atonement as some calvinist would, as I think that point to be mostly semantics on both sides...so I may be a 4ish pointer. However, I would also not be offended if someone said, "I believe you are a brunette," But would be a bit put-off if they automatically wanted nothing to do with me based on their assesment.

2. My primary reason for posting wesley's comments was His humble and charitable approach to those he disagreed with, which is something I think we could all learn from.

3. What, may I ask, is it about Wesley's views that you consider too close to calvinism?

 

[Heavenly Pilgrim]

We all do need to be charitable in our comments one to another. :thumbsup:

It was Wesley himself that claimed he knew he was far too close to Calvinism, but never gave an explanation for that intuitive deduction that I have ever read. There is absolutely no question in my mind as to why he was far too close to Calvinism, and it started from the inbred belief of the Calvinism he came out of, that being the notion of original sin.

I'm not trying to change this thread, but only mentioned this as a clear example of an intelligent and charitable man still confused in part via his Calvinistic upbringing via the dogma of original sin.

 

[DaChaser1]

From the final paragraphs of John Wesley's "The Question, "What Is an Arminian?" Answered by a Lover of Free Grace

Know that he was good friends of george Whitefield, so was indeed "close to" calvinism!


What did you think of His second act of grace, sinless perfection doctrine?