Wesleyan Theology

Course Code: BTT07

Resources for Constructing Theologies: Wesleyan Theology

BD III, Semester 1, 2 Credit Hours, College Paper

Objectives of the Course:

1. To introduce the Biblical, historical, theological and ministry perspectives of 17th to 20th century global evangelicalism.
2. To identify the central theological concepts and historical events especially of John Wesley and to mark out the doctrinal distinctiveness of the Allahabad Bible Seminary and Evangelical Church of India.
3. To study the doctrinal distinctiveness of John Wesley which made a significant contribution to the larger Christian tradition.

Course Requirement

• Final Examination: 60%
• Internal Assessment: 40%

Course Outline

1. Introduction: Brief History of Evangelicalism in 17th & 18th century.

• Survey of the history of the church.
• Philosophical, social, political & ecclesiological conditions.

2. Biographical note of John Wesley

3. Factors of influence in John Wesley

• Family: especially his mother Susanna Wesley.
• Aldersgate experience.
• Friends: George Whitefield.
• Background and development of Wesley’s thought.

4. Theology of John Wesley

• Scripture.
• Man.
• Justification.
• Sanctification and Christian perfection.
• Witness of the Spirit.
• Doctrine of Church and Sacraments.

5. Development of Wesleyan Theology in the 19th and 20th century

A critical evaluation and implication of the terminologies developed in 19th and early 20th centuries as well as a study of selected Wesleyan theologians.

6. Development of Wesleyan Theology in the 19th and 20th century

A critical evaluation and implication of the terminologies developed in 19th and early 20th centuries as well as a study of selected Wesleyan theologians.

7. Relevance of the theology of John Wesley to 21st century

8. The Doctrines of Allahabad Bible Seminary and the Evangelical Church of India

Bibliography:

• Kenneth J. Collins, The Scripture Way of Salvation: The Heart of John Wesley’s theology, Abingdon Press, 1997.
• Albert D. Outler & Heitaenrater, ed., John Wesley’s Sermons, Abingdon Press, 1987.
• John Wesley, A Plain Account of Christian Perfection, Beacon Hill Press, 1971.
• Colin Williams, John Wesley’s Theology Today, Abingdon, 1959.
• William Cannon, The Theology of John Wesley, Abingdon Press, 1961.
• Harold Lindstrom, Wesley and Sanctification, Stockholm, 1946.
• M.B. Wynkoop, A Theology of Love, Beacon Hill Press, 1972.
• Theodore Runyon, The New Creation: John Wesley’s Theology Today, Abingdon Press, 1998.
• Randy L. Maddox, Responsible Grace: John Wesley’s Practical Theology, Kingswood Books, 1994.
• W. E. Sangster, The Path to Perfection and Examination and Restatement of John Wesley’s Doctrine of Christian Perfection, Abingdon Press, 1943.
• Kenneth J. Collins, The Theology of John Wesley: Holy Love and the Shape of Grace, Abingdon Press, 2007.
• Robert E. Chiles, Theological Transition in American Methodism: 1790-1935. Abingdon Press, 1965.
• A. Skevington Wood, The Burning Heart: John Wesley , Evangelist, Eerdmans, 1967.
• Robert G. Tuttle, John Wesley: His Life and Theology. Zondervan Pub. House, 1978.
• Manfred Marquardt, John Wesley’s Social Ethics: Praxis and Principles, Trans. By John E. Steely and W. S. Gunter, Abingdon Press, 1992.
• John L. Peters, Christian Perfection and American Methodism, Abingdon Press, 1956.
• Lycurgus M. Starkey, The Work of the Holy Spirit: A Study of Wesleyan Theology, Abingdon Press, 1962.

A. Wesley’s Writings:

a) Sermons

• Sermons on Basic, evangelical doctrines: Sin and the New Birth.
• “Original Sin”.
• “On Working Out Our Salvation”.
• “Free Grace”.
• “Salvation by Faith”.
• “The Way to the Kingdom”.
• “The Marks of the New Birth”.

b) Sermons on Entire Sanctification/Christian Perfection

• “On Sin in Believers”.
• “The Repentance of Believers”.
• “The Scripture Way of Salvation”.
• “Wilderness State”.

c) Sermons on Assurance

• “The Witness of the Spirit – I”.
• “The Witness of the Spirit – II”.
• “The Witness of Our Own Spirit”.
• “Heaviness through Manifold Temptations”.
• “A Call to Backsliders”.

d) Sermons on Church, Sacraments and Ecumenicity

• “The Means of Grace”.
• “Of the Church”.
• “A Caution against Bigotry”.
• “Catholic Spirit”.
• “On the Death of The Rev. Mr. George Whitefield”.

e) Sermons on Eschatology or Last Things

• “The Great Assize”.
• “The General Deliverance”.

f) Sermons on Ethics

• “On Redeeming the Time”.
• “The Use of Money”.
• “The Danger of Riches”.
• “Thought upon Slavery”.

B. Other Writings of Wesley

• “The Characteristics of a Methodist,” Works (Jackson), Viii, 339 – 347.
• “The Principles of a Methodist,” Works, viii, 361-374.
• “Notes on the First Epistle of St. John,” Explanatory Notes upon New Testament.
• The Journal of John Wesley, N. Curnock, ed. Vol, 1, 432-484 (From Feb. 1, 1738 to June 13, 1738).
• “A Farther Appeal to Men of Reason and Religion,” Works viii, 136 – 247.
• “A Plain Account of the People Called Methodist,” Works viii, 248 – 268.
• “Nature, Design, and General Rules of the United Societies,” Works viii, 269-271.
• “Rules of the Band-Societies,” Works viii, 272-273.
• “Directions Given to the Band-Societies,” Works viii, 273-274.
• “Minute of some Late Conversations between the Rev. Wesley and others,” Works viii, 275-338.
• “Advice to the People Called Methodists,” Works, viii, 351-359.

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