Wesley Corpus

He didn't baby them or coddle them, but he started where they were. The one characteristic that distinguished them was that since all their thinking was immersed in scripture, biblical phrases and concepts are sprinkled throughout. What are Christian teachers and preachers doing today to speak in a way that ordinary people can understand? What could they do better? 3. Nor do we desire to be distinguished by actions, customs, or usages, of an indifferent nature. Our religion does not lie in doing what God has not enjoined, or abstaining from what he hath not forbidden. It does not lie in the form of our apparel, in the posture of our body, or the covering of our heads; nor yet in abstaining from marriage, or from meats and drinks, which are all good if received with thanksgiving. Therefore, neither will any man, who knows whereof he affirms, fix the mark of a Methodist here,--in any actions or customs purely indifferent, undetermined by the word of God. Wesley adds this section because of the number of Christian groups throughout the ages who have defined themselves this way. Methodists are not people who wear a particular kind of clothing, make particular hand motions, or practice strict dietary customs. American Methodists have moved from Wesley's position and officially taught that abstinence from alcohol is the best choice. While Wesley preached against drunkenness (both because of the scriptural teaching to that effect and because he'd seen the ruin in brought to many individuals and families), complete abstinence was not an issue in 18th century England. Questions: Can you pick out any outward customs that distinguish Methodists from other groups? Are there any practice that you think ought to differentiate us? 4. Nor, lastly, is he distinguished by laying the whole stress of religion on any single part of it. If you say, "Yes, he is; for he thinks 'we are saved by faith alone:'" I answer, You do not understand the terms. By salvation he means holiness of heart and life. And this he affirms to spring from true faith alone. Can even a nominal Christian deny it? Is this placing a part of religion for the whole? "Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid!