John Wesley's teachings, foundational to Methodism, were deeply rooted in his understanding of scripture and his experiences within the Church of England.

Wesleyan Theology Compared.mp4

Arminianism vs.Calvinism.mp4

Here are some of his most important teachings:

• Prevenient Grace: Wesley believed that God's grace is active in everyone's life, even before they are aware of it. This "preceding grace" enables individuals to respond to God's offer of salvation and prepares them for a relationship with God. It's a key concept that emphasizes God's initiative in salvation.
• Justification by Faith: Like many Protestants, Wesley strongly affirmed the doctrine of justification by faith alone. This means that individuals are declared righteous in God's eyes not by their good works, but by their faith in Jesus Christ. However, Wesley emphasized that this faith is not passive but an active, living faith that leads to a transformed life.
• Entire Sanctification (Christian Perfection): This is perhaps one of Wesley's most distinctive teachings. He believed that it is possible for believers to be cleansed from all sin and to achieve a state of "perfect love" in this life. This doesn't mean sinless perfection in every thought, word, and deed, but rather a heart wholly devoted to God and motivated by love. It's a progressive work of grace that continues throughout a believer's life.
• The Witness of the Spirit: Wesley taught that the Holy Spirit provides an inner assurance to believers that they are children of God. This direct experience of God's presence confirms their salvation and relationship with Him.
• Social Holiness: For Wesley, personal salvation was inextricably linked to social action. He believed that true faith must manifest itself in works of mercy and justice, leading to tangible improvements in society. Methodists were actively involved in advocating for the poor, prison reform, abolition of slavery, and promoting education.
• Arminianism: Theologically, Wesley was an Arminian, emphasizing human free will and God's desire for all to be saved, in contrast to the Calvinist doctrine of unconditional election and limited atonement, which he rejected.

Arminianism is a School of Thought Within Protestant Christianity

Here are the core tenets of Arminianism, often summarized in five points:

1. Conditional Election (versus Unconditional Election in Calvinism):
   • Arminian View: God, foreseeing who would freely believe in Christ, elected those individuals for salvation. God's election is conditioned on an individual's faith, rather than being an arbitrary or unconditional choice made without reference to human response. God desires all to be saved and provides the means for salvation to everyone.
   • Calvinist View: God unconditionally chooses individuals for salvation purely based on His sovereign will, without any foresight of their faith or works.
2. Universal Atonement / General Atonement (versus Limited Atonement in Calvinism):
   • Arminian View: Jesus Christ died for all people, making salvation universally available to everyone. His atonement is sufficient for the sins of the entire world, though it only becomes effective for those who believe.
   • Calvinist View: Christ died only for the elect (those God unconditionally chose for salvation), making His atonement effective only for them.
3. Enabled Free Will / Prevenient Grace (versus Total Depravity in Calvinism):
   • Arminian View: While humanity is fallen and unable to initiate salvation on its own (a form of "total depravity" or inability), God extends "prevenient grace" to all people. This grace precedes conversion, enabling individuals to respond freely to the gospel invitation. It restores a measure of free will, allowing humans to cooperate with God's grace or reject it.
   • Calvinist View: Humanity is totally depraved, meaning every aspect of human nature is corrupted by sin, rendering people completely incapable of choosing good over evil or responding to God's call without God's irresistible grace.
4. Resistible Grace (versus Irresistible Grace in Calvinism):
   • Arminian View: God's grace, while essential for salvation, can be resisted and rejected by individuals. God invites, enables, and draws, but does not force salvation upon anyone.
   • Calvinist View: God's saving grace cannot be resisted by the elect. When God chooses to save someone, that person will inevitably come to faith.
5. Conditional Preservation of the Saints (versus Perseverance of the Saints in Calvinism):
   • Arminian View: While God provides ample grace for believers to persevere in faith, it is possible for individuals to "fall from grace" through persistent unrepentance and apostasy, thereby losing their salvation. Perseverance is conditional on continued faith.
   • Calvinist View: Those who are truly regenerated and justified by God will infallibly persevere in faith to the end and cannot lose their salvation.