John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, was a theologian of profound conviction, rooted in a commitment to scriptural holiness, personal transformation, and social reform. His ministry was characterized by an unyielding emphasis on the authority of Scripture and the pursuit of sanctification. However, the present-day trajectory of the United Methodist Church (UMC), particularly its embrace of progressive stances on sexuality, marriage, and clergy ordination, reveals a significant divergence from Wesley’s theological vision.
This paper examines the theological and cultural shifts within the UMC, focusing on its progressive stances on same-sex unions and LGBTQAI+ clergy. It argues that Wesley’s emphasis on scriptural holiness would render him too conservative for the UMC today, highlighting the tension between the founder’s vision and the denomination’s contemporary ethos.
Wesley’s Emphasis on Scriptural Holiness
John Wesley’s theological framework was grounded in the authority of Scripture. For Wesley, Scripture was the primary rule of faith and practice, to be interpreted through the lenses of tradition, reason, and experience—a hermeneutical method now known as the Wesleyan Quadrilateral. However, unlike contemporary interpretations that often elevate experience above Scripture, Wesley insisted that all elements of the Quadrilateral must be subordinate to the Word of God.¹
Wesley’s doctrine of Christian perfection further illustrates his commitment to scriptural holiness. As articulated in his sermon “Christian Perfection,” Wesley emphasized that holiness involves being “perfected in love,” wherein believers, by the power of the Holy Spirit, are liberated from willful sin and empowered to love God and neighbor wholeheartedly.² This vision of holiness was intrinsically tied to obedience to biblical teaching, including its moral directives.
Wesley’s firm stance on scriptural ethics extended to matters of human sexuality. Although the cultural context of the eighteenth century did not frame debates on sexuality in the same terms as today, Wesley’s writings reveal a clear conviction regarding the sanctity of marriage as a covenant between one man and one woman.³ His moral theology, deeply influenced by the Anglican tradition, affirmed biblical sexual ethics as a reflection of God’s order in creation.
The Progressive Shift in the United Methodist Church
In contrast to Wesley’s conservative theological framework, the UMC has undergone significant shifts in its approach to sexual ethics, marriage, and ordination. Beginning in the late twentieth century, debates over the inclusion of LGBTQAI+ individuals in the life of the church culminated in decisions that reflect a progressive trajectory. The UMC now celebrates same-sex unions, ordains LGBTQAI+ clergy, and has consecrated openly LGBTQAI+ bishops, such as Karen Oliveto, who was elected bishop in 2016.⁴
These developments are often justified through appeals to inclusion, love, and justice, with proponents arguing that the church must adapt to cultural shifts in order to remain relevant. Progressive theologians within the UMC frequently employ postmodern hermeneutics, which prioritize personal experience and cultural context over traditional interpretations of Scripture.⁵ This approach represents a stark departure from Wesley’s insistence on the primacy of Scripture in moral and doctrinal matters.
As noted in Love and Inclusion in Progressive Ideology: A Theological and Philosophical Critique, progressive ideology often reframes love as unconditional affirmation rather than a transformative pursuit of holiness.⁶ This redefinition of love has led to a reinterpretation of biblical texts that affirm traditional sexual ethics, such as Romans 1:26–27 and 1 Corinthians 6:9–11, often dismissing them as culturally bound rather than universally normative.
Theological and Cultural Implications
If John Wesley were alive today, his commitment to scriptural holiness and traditional ethics would place him at odds with the UMC’s progressive ethos. Wesley’s theology of grace, which emphasizes the transformative power of the Holy Spirit to sanctify believers, directly challenges the progressive tendency to affirm individuals without calling for moral transformation. For Wesley, inclusion was never separated from accountability to God’s moral law.
Wesley’s approach to ecclesial leadership would also conflict with the contemporary UMC’s practices. He believed that clergy should exemplify scriptural holiness, serving as models of Christian virtue and discipline. His writings on pastoral ministry, as reflected in his Large Minutes, reveal a high standard for ordination, including adherence to biblical teaching on morality.⁷ The ordination of openly LGBTQAI+ clergy and bishops would therefore represent, for Wesley, a departure from the qualifications outlined in Scripture for spiritual leadership.
The cultural and theological shift within the UMC raises broader questions about the role of tradition and continuity in denominational identity. As noted in Postmodern Hermeneutics and the Reformation of Ecclesial Paradigms, postmodern approaches to theology often prioritize cultural relevance over doctrinal fidelity, leading to significant changes in ecclesial identity.⁸ This trend reflects a broader tension between progressivism and traditionalism within global Methodism, as evidenced by the formation of the Global Methodist Church in 2022 as a conservative alternative to the UMC.
The Decline of Scriptural Holiness
The UMC’s progressive stance has led some to argue that it represents a decline in Wesley’s vision of holiness. Wesley’s emphasis on personal and social holiness, as distinct from perfectionism, was grounded in the transformative power of grace to restore God’s image in humanity. Holiness, for Wesley, was not merely moral behavior but the renewal of the heart and mind in conformity to God’s will. This holistic understanding of holiness is undermined when moral standards are redefined to align with cultural preferences rather than biblical revelation.⁹
As discussed in Exploring the Doctrine of Christian Perfection, Wesley’s theology was rooted in a Christocentric vision of redemption that calls believers to participate in God’s sanctifying work.¹⁰ The contemporary UMC’s emphasis on inclusivity without moral accountability risks severing this connection between grace and transformation, reducing holiness to a vague ideal rather than a lived reality.
Conclusion: Wesley’s Legacy and the Future of Methodism
John Wesley’s commitment to scriptural holiness, personal transformation, and social reform continues to inspire Christians worldwide. However, the theological and cultural shifts within the UMC reveal a widening gap between the founder’s vision and the denomination’s contemporary practices. While Wesley sought to reform the church by calling believers to holiness, the UMC’s progressive ethos represents a departure from the theological convictions that underpinned the Methodist movement’s origins.
The future of Wesleyan Methodism depends on its ability to reclaim the founder’s vision of grace and holiness, rooted in the authority of Scripture and the transformative power of the Holy Spirit. As global Methodism navigates the challenges of theological and cultural diversity, Wesley’s legacy serves as both a guide and a challenge, calling the church to remain faithful to the gospel amid the complexities of the modern world.
Footnotes
1. Richard P. Heitzenrater, Wesley and the People Called Methodist (Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1995), 102.
2. John Wesley, Sermons on Several Occasions (London: Epworth Press, 1964), 125.
3. Ibid., 131.
4. Jean Miller Schmidt, Kenneth E. Rowe, and Russell Richey, American Methodism: A Compact History (Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2012), 83.
5. “Postmodern Hermeneutics and the Reformation of Ecclesial Paradigms,” Point of Reference, accessed November 14, 2024, https://www.pointofreference.info/post/postmodern-hermeneutics-and-the-reformation-of-ecclesial-paradigms-evaluating-cultural-and-theologi.
6. “Love and Inclusion in Progressive Ideology: A Theological and Philosophical Critique,” Point of Reference, accessed November 14, 2024, https://www.pointofreference.info/post/love-and-inclusion-in-progressive-ideology-a-theological-and-philosophical-critique.
7. Richard P. Heitzenrater, Wesley and the People Called Methodist, 178.
8. “Postmodern Hermeneutics and the Reformation of Ecclesial Paradigms,” Point of Reference.
9. John Wesley, A Plain Account of Christian Perfection (Kansas City: Beacon Hill Press, 1966), 45.
10. “Exploring the Doctrine of Christian Perfection and Christology,” Point of Reference, accessed November 14, 2024, https://www.pointofreference.info/post/exploring-the-doctrine-of-christian-perfection-and-christology-through-the-lens-of-modern-scientifi.
This paper highlights the theological divergence between John Wesley’s emphasis on scriptural holiness and the progressive ethos of the contemporary UMC, fostering an academically rigorous reflection on the founder’s enduring legacy.