John Wesley on Original Sin

Rippon · Feb 15, 2006

A denial of original sin contradicts the main design of the gospel , which is to humble man , and to ascribe to God's free grace , not to man's free will , the whole of his salvation . Nor , indeed , can we let this doctrine go without giving up , at the same time , the greatest part , if not all , of the essential articles of the Christian faith . If we give up this , we cannot defend either justification by the merits of Christ , or the renewal of our natures by his Spirit .

rsr · Feb 15, 2006

Where did you get the idea Wesley didn't believe in original sin?

"This, therefore, is the first grand distinguishing point between Heathenism and Christianity. The one acknowledges that many men are infected with many vices, and even born with a proneness to them; but supposes withal, that in some the natural good much over-balances the evil: The other declares that all men are conceived in sin," and "shapen in wickedness;" -- that hence there is in every man a "carnal mind, which is enmity against God, which is not, cannot be, subject to" his "law;" and which so infects the whole soul, that "there dwelleth in" him, "in his flesh," in his natural state, "no good thing;" but "every imagination of the thoughts of his heart is evil," only evil, and that "continually."

Hence we may, Secondly, learn, that all who deny this, call it original sin, or by any other title, are put Heathens still, in the fundamental point which differences Heathenism from Christianity. They may, indeed, allow, that men have many vices; that some are born with us; and that, consequently, we are not born altogether so wise or so virtuous as we should be; there being few that will roundly affirm, "We are born with as much propensity to good as to evil, and that every man is, by nature, as virtuous and wise as Adam was at his creation." But here is the shibboleth: Is man by nature filled with all manner of evil? Is he void of all good? Is he wholly fallen? Is his soul totally corrupted? Or, to come back to the text, is "every imagination of the thoughts of his heart only evil continually?" Allow this, and you are so far a Christian. Deny it, and you are but an Heathen still.
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— Sermon 44

The errors charged upon these (usually termed Arminians) by their opponents, are five: (1.) That they deny original sin; (2.) That they deny justification by faith; ...

With regard to the two first of these charges, they plead, Not Guilty. They are entirely false. No man that ever lived, not John Calvin himself, ever asserted either original sin, or justification by faith, in more strong, more clear and express terms, than Arminius has done. These two points, therefore, are to be set out of the question: In these both parties agree. In this respect, there is not a hair's breadth difference between Mr. Wesley and Mr. Whitefield.
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— The Question 'What Is an Arminian?' Answered by a Love of Free Grace

Humblesmith · Feb 15, 2006

Great quote. It's refreshing to see this.

Say what you will about Wesley.....I don't agree with everything he taught. But I admire him for what he did. Through sheer hard work and obedience, God was able to work through him to save a nation from destruction. Oh that we would have such a movement today.

John Wesley on Original Sin

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