Introduction
John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, rooted his theology and ministry in the principles of scriptural holiness, personal sanctification, and the transformative power of grace. However, in the contemporary context of the United Methodist Church (UMC), Wesley’s theological conservatism and his unwavering emphasis on holiness would render him an outlier. This is particularly evident in the UMC’s progressive positions on same-sex marriage, LGBTQIA+ clergy, and the consecration of bishops from these communities.¹
This paper evaluates the theological and ecclesiastical divergence between Wesley’s vision and the modern trajectory of the UMC, drawing on theological critiques and interdisciplinary reflections. Utilizing insights from The Wesleyan Revival: An Interdisciplinary Exploration of Holiness, Grace, and Modern Intellectual Paradigms² and other scholarly resources, it examines how Wesley’s emphasis on holiness might conflict with the UMC’s progressive inclusivity, while offering a critical theological critique of the movement’s evolution.
John Wesley’s Emphasis on Scriptural Holiness
Scriptural Holiness as the Foundation of Wesleyan Theology
For John Wesley, scriptural holiness was not merely an aspirational ideal but the cornerstone of Christian life. Wesley’s theology was deeply rooted in the belief that grace empowers believers to pursue a life of sanctification, characterized by purity of heart and unwavering obedience to God’s commandments. Wesley’s sermons, such as “The Scripture Way of Salvation” and “Christian Perfection,” articulated a rigorous commitment to personal and communal holiness.³ His writings reflect an uncompromising stance on moral accountability, repentance, and transformation through grace.⁴
This understanding of holiness extended to Wesley’s social teachings, which rejected practices and lifestyles incompatible with Christian discipleship. Wesley’s theology of holiness emphasized that the transformative power of grace required repentance and moral alignment with God’s will.⁵
A Theological Discord: Holiness Versus Inclusivity
In Wesley’s view, holiness was inseparable from a commitment to the moral teachings of Scripture. His writings demonstrate a clear rejection of relativistic interpretations of biblical ethics, which he feared could dilute the transformative power of grace.⁶ This emphasis starkly contrasts with the progressive stance of the UMC, which embraces inclusivity in ways that Wesley might perceive as compromising scriptural authority.⁷
Contemporary Divergences in the United Methodist Church
LGBTQIA+ Clergy and Bishops
The UMC’s decision to ordain LGBTQIA+ clergy and consecrate LGBTQIA+ bishops represents a significant departure from traditional Wesleyan theology. While the church frames these actions as expressions of love and inclusivity, they have sparked theological debates regarding the authority of Scripture and the definition of holiness. Critics argue that these decisions reflect a postmodern hermeneutic that prioritizes cultural relevance over scriptural fidelity.⁸
Theological Implications of Postmodern Hermeneutics
The UMC’s progressive shift aligns with broader cultural trends toward inclusivity and relativism, as explored in Postmodern Hermeneutics and the Reformation of Ecclesial Paradigms.⁹ This hermeneutic approach challenges the traditional interpretation of holiness as articulated by Wesley, instead framing inclusivity as the primary ethical imperative. However, this approach risks sidelining the scriptural and theological foundations that Wesley viewed as essential for Christian identity.¹⁰
Catholic Spirit and the Limits of Inclusivity
Wesley’s sermon “The Catholic Spirit” advocates for unity amid diversity, emphasizing shared essentials while allowing for differences in opinion.¹¹ However, Wesley’s vision of unity was predicated on a shared commitment to scriptural holiness. The UMC’s progressive inclusivity stretches this principle to its limits, raising questions about whether theological diversity has undermined doctrinal coherence.¹²
Interdisciplinary Reflections on Holiness and Grace
The Doctrine of Christian Perfection
The UMC’s inclusivity debate intersects with Wesleyan theology’s emphasis on Christian perfection. Wesley’s understanding of perfection, as discussed in Exploring the Doctrine of Christian Perfection and Christology Through the Lens of Modern Scientific Paradigms, emphasizes a love that transforms the believer’s heart, aligning their will with God’s.¹³ This doctrine challenges modern interpretations of inclusivity that prioritize affirmation over transformation.¹⁴
Holiness in a Postmodern Context
Holiness, as Wesley envisioned it, requires not only moral alignment with God’s will but also resistance to cultural trends that conflict with scriptural teachings. The modern intellectual framework, as analyzed in The Wesleyan Revival: An Interdisciplinary Exploration of Holiness, Grace, and Modern Intellectual Paradigms, contrasts Wesleyan theology’s transformative vision with contemporary cultural relativism.¹⁵
Global Perspectives on Methodism and Holiness
The global Methodist movement, particularly in regions such as Africa and Asia, often aligns more closely with Wesley’s emphasis on scriptural holiness. These regions challenge the progressive trajectory of the UMC, highlighting a theological divide within the global Methodist community.¹⁶ The African Methodist delegation, for example, has consistently upheld traditional teachings on marriage and sexuality, arguing for fidelity to Wesleyan principles.¹⁷
John Wesley’s Hypothetical Reception in the UMC
A Conservative Outsider in a Progressive Church
If John Wesley were to evaluate the UMC today, he would likely find its positions on LGBTQIA+ issues incompatible with his theological framework. Wesley’s conservative interpretation of Scripture and his emphasis on holiness would render him a polarizing figure in the modern UMC.¹⁸
Wesley’s critique would likely center on the perceived erosion of scriptural authority, which he viewed as the foundation of Christian life. His writings demonstrate a profound commitment to the transformative power of grace, which he believed was undermined by practices that deviated from biblical teachings.¹⁹
Theological Reflections on Wesleyan Identity
Wesleyan identity, as articulated by Wesley himself, prioritizes scriptural holiness and communal accountability. The progressive shift in the UMC raises critical questions about whether the denomination has preserved the core tenets of Wesleyan theology or whether it has drifted into a form of theological accommodationism.²⁰
Conclusion
The UMC’s progressive positions on LGBTQIA+ clergy and same-sex unions represent a significant theological departure from the Wesleyan emphasis on scriptural holiness. While the denomination seeks to embody a vision of inclusivity and love, its decisions raise profound questions about the continuity of Wesleyan identity. John Wesley’s conservative theological framework, rooted in holiness and grace, offers a counterpoint to the UMC’s progressive trajectory, challenging the church to reflect on its commitment to scriptural fidelity and transformative discipleship.
By engaging with Wesley’s writings and the broader Wesleyan tradition, the contemporary church can navigate the tensions between cultural relevance and theological integrity, striving to remain faithful to the transformative vision of holiness that defined the Methodist movement.
Footnotes
1. John Wesley, The Scripture Way of Salvation, in The Works of John Wesley, Vol. 1, ed. Albert C. Outler (Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1984), 293–310.
2. The Wesleyan Revival: An Interdisciplinary Exploration of Holiness, Grace, and Modern Intellectual Paradigms, accessed November 16, 2024, https://www.pointofreference.info/post/the-wesleyan-revival.
3. Wesley, The Scripture Way of Salvation, 298.
4. Richard P. Heitzenrater, Wesley and the People Called Methodists (Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1995), 112.
5. Kenneth E. Rowe, The Methodist Experience in America, Vol. 1 (Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2010), 89.
6. Ibid., 112.
7. John Wesley, The Catholic Spirit, in The Works of John Wesley, Vol. 2 (Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1984), 85.
8. “Love and Inclusion in Progressive Ideology,” Point of Reference, accessed November 16, 2024, https://www.pointofreference.info/post/love-and-inclusion.
9. “Postmodern Hermeneutics and the Reformation of Ecclesial Paradigms,” Point of Reference, accessed November 16, 2024.
10. Richard Heitzenrater, Wesley and the People Called Methodists, 140.
11. Wesley, Christian Perfection, in The Works of John Wesley, Vol. 2, 110.
12. Jean Miller Schmidt et al., American Methodism: A Compact History (Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2008), 89.
13. Ibid., 112.
14. Kenneth Rowe, The Methodist Experience, 134.
15. Wesley, The Catholic Spirit, 87.
16. Rowe, The Methodist Experience, 141.
17. “The Global Methodist Delegation and Scriptural Authority,” Point of Reference, accessed November 16, 2024.
18. Heitzenrater, Wesley and the People Called Methodists, 197.
19. Wesley, Christian Perfection, 120.
20. Ibid., 122.