Responsible Grace : John Wesley's Practical Theology

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ISBN: 9780687003341 | 0687003342
Cover: Paperback
Copyright: 10/1/1994

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Of special focus in this reflective overview of Wesley's theological convictions is highlighting the practical-theological dynamics of Wesley's work and suggesting possible implications for contemporary attempts to recover theology as a practical discipline. Another distinctive focus of this work is a systematic consideration of the integration of theological emphases traditionally divergent in Eastern and Western Christianity. The author also closely examines the consistency of Wesley's thought throughout his career.

Acknowledgments

(2)

Introduction

(11)

Human Knowledge of the God of Responsible Grace

(22)

The Fount of Knowledge-God's Gracious Self-Revelation

(10)

Excursus: Wesley's Epistemology

(1)

The Gracious Character of All Revelation

(1)

Initial Universal Revelation

(1)

Definitive Christian Revelation

(2)

Excursus: The Possibility of Extra-Christian Salvation

(2)

Excursus: The Possibility and Purpose of a Natural Theology

(2)

Sources/Criteria of Christian Doctrine

(12)

The ``Wesleyan Quadrilateral''

(1)

Scripture

(4)

Reason

(2)

``Tradition''

(2)

Experience

(2)

Wesley's ``Method''?

(2)

The God of Responsible Grace

(17)

The Problem of God-Knowledge

(2)

Sources of Human Knowledge of God

(1)

Nature of Human ``God-Language''

(1)

Reflexive Nature of Knowledge of God

(1)

The Nature of God

(8)

God's Natural Attributes

(2)

God's Moral Attributes

(1)

Crucial Concern: God's Sovereignty

(1)

Excursus: Wesley on Predestination

(3)

The Work of God/Father

(7)

God/Father as Creator and Sustainer

(2)

God/Father as Provider

(1)

God/Father as Governor or Judge

(1)

God/Father as Physician

(1)

Summary: God as Father

(2)

Humanity's Need and God's Initial Restoring Grace

(29)

General Character of Wesley's Anthropology

(2)

Humanity as God's Gracious Creation

(6)

The Image of God in Humanity

(1)

Wesley's Relational Anthropology

(1)

Wesley's Holistic Psychology

(1)

Wesley's Holistic Anthropology?

(2)

Humanity as Male and Female

(1)

Humanity as Fallen: Debilitated and Depraved, but Guilty?

(10)

The Two Dimensions of Sin

(1)

Original Sin or Inbeing Sin?

(1)

The Source of Inbeing Sin

(6)

The Nature of Inbeing Sin

(1)

The Extent of Inbeing Sin-Total Depravity

(1)

Pause for Perspective

(1)

Humanity as Nascently Restored

(11)

The Prevenience of Restoring Grace

(1)

The Character of Restoring Grace

(3)

Prevenient Grace as the Beginning of Restoration

(4)

Excursus: Wesley's ``Synergism''?

(1)

The Resulting Actual Human Situation

(2)

Christ-The Initiative of Responsible Grace

(25)

General Character of Wesley's Christology

(2)

Christ-An Atonement for Sin

(13)

Atonement as Liberation?

(1)

Excursus: Wesley on the Nature and Uses of the Law

(3)

Atonement as Pardon

101

(5)

Atonement as Display of God's Love

106

(3)

The Point of the Atonement

109

(1)

The Three Offices of Christ

109

(5)

Christ as Priest

110

(1)

Christ as Prophet

111

(1)

Christ as King/Physician

112

(1)

``Preaching Christ In All His Offices''

113

(1)

The Nature of Christ

114

(5)

Stress on Christ's Divinity

115

(1)

Discomfort with Accenting Christ's Humanity

115

(1)

Practical Monophysitism?

116

(1)

Wesley's Concern?

117

(2)

Holy Spirit-The Presence of Responsible Grace

119

(22)

The Holy Spirit as God's Restored Presence

119

(2)

The Holy Spirit as Inspiring Physician

121

(2)

The Dimensions of the Spirit's Inspiration

123

(13)

The Universal Restoring Presence of the Spirit

123

(1)

The Witness of the Spirit

124

(1)

Excursus: Wesley on the Assurance of Faith

124

(3)

Excursus: Wesley on the Nature of Faith

127

(1)

Excursus: Wesley on the Perceptibility of Grace

128

(1)

Summary and Evaluation

129

(2)

The Fruit of the Spirit

131

(2)

The Guidance of the Spirit

133

(1)

The Gifts of the Spirit

133

(1)

Excursus: Wesley the Charismatic?

134

(2)

Spirit, Son, and Father: Wesley on the Trinity

136

(5)

The Spirit and the Son: The Filioque?

137

(1)

Unity or Distinction of the Divine Persons

137

(2)

Doctrine of the Trinity as a Grammar of Responsible Grace

139

(2)

Grace and Response-The Nature of Human Salvation

141

(16)

The Three Dimensions of Salvation

143

(1)

The Therapeutic Focus of Salvation

144

(1)

The Holistic Scope of Salvation

145

(2)

Excursus: Wesley on Physical Health and Healing

146

(1)

The Co-Operant Character of Salvation

147

(4)

Excursus: Wesley on Justification by Faith Alone

148

(3)

The Possibility of Apostasy

151

(1)

The Gradual Process of Salvation

151

(4)

The Place of Instantaneous Transitions in Christian Life

153

(2)

The Individual Variability of Salvation

155

(2)

The Way of Salvation-Grace Upon Grace

157

(35)

Regeneration

159

(1)

Awakening

160

(1)

Repentance

161

(5)

Repentance prior to Justification/New Birth

162

(1)

Excursus: Wesley on Sin in Believers

163

(2)

Repentance within the Christian Life

165

(1)

Justification

166

(6)

Pardoned by the Merits of Christ

166

(2)

Pardoned in order to Participate (Adoption)

168

(1)

Justification and Sanctification

169

(1)

First Justification and the New Birth

170

(1)

Final Justification and Sanctification Proper

171

(1)

The Dynamic Tension

172

(1)

Faith

172

(4)

Faith and Justification

173

(1)

Faith and Repentance

173

(1)

Faith Working By Love

174

(2)

Sanctification

176

(14)

New Birth

176

(1)

``Growth in Grace''

177

(2)

Christian Perfection

179

(1)

Chronological Perspectives

180

(7)

Central Themes

187

(2)

Summary

189

(1)

Glorification

190

(2)

The Means of Grace and Response

192

(38)

The Role of the Means of Grace in Christian Life

192

(9)

The Mediation of Grace

193

(1)

Ordinary and Extraordinary Means of Grace

193

(2)

Effective Means and Requisite Response

195

(2)

Guarantees of Pardon or Means of Healing?

197

(3)

Nurturing Grace and Patterning Exercises

200

(1)

Means of Sanctifying Grace

201

(8)

The Lord's Supper

202

(3)

Corporate Worship

205

(1)

Formal Prayers

206

(1)

Scripture Lectionary

207

(1)

Church Year

207

(1)

Hymns

208

(1)

Sermon

208

(1)

Communal Support

209

(2)

Love Feasts

210

(1)

Watch-Night Services

210

(1)

Covenant Renewal

210

(1)

Accountability

211

(2)

The General Rules

211

(1)

Spiritual Directors

212

(1)

Accountability Groups

212

(1)

Private Exercises

213

(2)

Study of Scripture

214

(1)

Devotional/Catechetical Readings

214

(1)

Private Prayers

214

(1)

Works of Mercy

215

(1)

Love of God and Love of Others

215

(1)

Formative Effect of Works of Mercy

215

(1)

The Place of Self-Denial

215

(1)

Means of Justifying Grace

216

(12)

Historical Perspectives on Wesley's Pastoral Challenge

216

(2)

Wesley's Pastoral Response

218

(1)

Call to Renewed Responsiveness

218

(1)

Methodist Society as Catechumenate

219

(1)

Excursus: The Lord's Supper as a Converting Ordinance

219

(2)

Practical-Theological Implications for Baptism

221

(1)

Adult Baptism as a Means of Responsible Grace

222

(1)

The Benefits of Infant Baptism

223

(2)

Practical-Theological Implications for Confirmation

225

(1)

The Importance of Childhood Catechesis

225

(2)

The Rite of Confirmation

227

(1)

Communion of Children

227

(1)

Means of Prevenient Grace?

228

(2)

The Triumph of Responsible Grace

230

(24)

The Historical Context of Wesley's Eschatology

231

(4)

Responsible Grace's Triumph in Process

235

(19)

Wesley's Millennialism?

236

(3)

The Kingdom of Grace and the Kingdom of Glory

239

(2)

The Reign of Grace in and through the Church

241

(1)

Wesley's Eschatological Ethics

242

(1)

Personal Ethics

243

(1)

Social Ethics

243

(3)

Ecological Ethics

246

(1)

Responsible Grace's Triumphant Goal

247

(1)

Death, Immortality, Resurrection

248

(1)

Intermediate States

249

(2)

Judgment

251

(1)

The New Creation

252

(2)

Concluding Reflections

254

(3)

Notes

257

(118)

Selected Bibliography

375

(34)

Index of Selected Names

409

(6)

Index of Selected Subjects

415

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Responsible Grace : John Wesley's Practical Theology

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