John Wesley's Theology of Christian Perfection: Developments in Doctrine & Theological System (John Wesley Christian Perfection Library)

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JOHN WESLEY (1703-1791) is the chief architect and source of inspiration for the teaching commonly referred to as Christian Perfection. Yet the journey Wesley traveled in forming his views on perfect love is largely unknown and often misunderstood. In this second volume of a groundbreaking series, Olson leaves no stone unturned as he guides the reader along a path explaining how and why Wesley's most beloved doctrine took the shape it did. In this way the reader is offered surprising insights into Wesley's philosophy of discipleship and spiritual growth. All periods of Wesley's long and eventful career are covered, with special attention given to those factors which most influenced his own faith journey. The entire Wesley corpus is utilized: sermons, journals, letters, diaries, and other writings. A four gospel scheme organizes Wesley's doctrinal development for easy memorization and understanding. Numerous charts visually empower a fuller understanding of Wesley's theology of perfection. Several appendices offer a timeline and several historical studies on Wesley's faith journey and theological development. Whether one agrees or disagrees with Wesley's vision of Christian holiness, all will be challenged to reflect more deeply on the nature of Christian discipleship and what it means to be a fully devoted follower of Jesus Christ.

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Review by Mark Olson, 2008-05-19

This is the most comprehensive and thorough study on Wesley's doctrinal development in print today. The book is organized in three main sections. The first section looks at Wesley doctrinal development from 1725 to 1741, with the publishing of the ground-breaking sermon "Christian Perfection." The second section focuses on Wesley doctrinal development beginning in the 1760's and culminating in the 1780's. The last section seeks to explain and make sense of Wesley's doctrinal development.


The first chapter walks through Wesley's early theology and shows why the storms at sea affected him so deeply, and led him down a path to do radical surgery on his theological system upon his return to England in 1738.

Olson also explains why Wesley embraced a gospel of two works of grace following his Aldersgate conversion. The impact of Christian David and of Moravian stillness doctrine on Wesley is thoroughly explored and studied.

There is a thorough study of Wesley's letters and his doctrine of sin. Many charts visually enhance the points being made. Wesley's views on perfection are also shown to shape his later eschatology (and visa versa).

Olson argues that Wesley went through a second Aldersgate-like experience in the mid-1760's, and that this explains the impulse in further developments in his theology, especially of his views regarding prevenient grace.

The third section penetrates into the underlying principles inherent in Wesley's theology on holiness. Plus, there are several appendices that offer incisive insights into aspects of Wesley's theology, like a timeline on Wesley's doctrinal development, early testimonies of perfection Wesley recorded, and several other studies related to Wesley's theological development.

Altogether, this book is the most thorough study on Wesley's doctrinal development available today. This is a must read for anyone wanting to grasp Wesley's doctrine of holiness and sanctification, and why it changed as it did, and how it changed over time.

Below are the chapters:

Section One: Early Developments
1. The Gospel of Holiness
2. The Gospel of Faith Alone
3. The Gospel of Two Works of Grace

Section Two: Mature Enlargements
4. Aldersgate II
5. Sin in the Ordo Salutis
6. Spiritual Father
7. The Gospel of Universal Holiness

Section Three: Making Sense
8. A Plain Account of Christian Perfection
9. The Faith Journey
10. Evolving Contours
11. The Achilles Heel

Appendices:
A. Timeline on Wesley's Doctrinal Development
B. John Wesley's Confessions
C. Early Testimonies of Perfect Love
D. The Evolution of the New Birth
E. The Roots to Wesley's Servant Theology
F. Clement of Alexandria: A Second Century Wesleyan?
G. Doctrinal Resource Lists