In this episode we will continue to discuss the dangers of "Perfectionism" and show how it is altogether different from Wesley's doctrine of Christian Perfection. We will begin by discussing T.A. Noble's book, "Holy Trinity: Holy People" and how Wesley very guardedly affirmed that Christians are "at once a sinner and justified." This of course can degenerate into Antinomianism and Wesley guarded strongly against that but also affirmed it in a way that guarded his teaching from Perfectionism. We then interact with Thomas Oden and discuss what Christian Perfection is not. We end by using Fred Sanders to illustrate the we must choose between the dangers of Perfection or Anti-Perfection.
In this episode we will be discussing the dangers of "Perfectionism" and show how it is different from Wesley's teachings on "Christian Perfection." There are five major dangers of Perfectionism:
We will discuss how trying to teach "Christian Perfection" is like trying to defuse a bomb. We need to be careful and study to show ourselves approved. We then look at what Wesley taught about "Christian Perfection" and illustrate that it was both different from "Perfectionism" and serves as a corrective to it.
In this episode we will continue to discuss the role of the Law in Wesleyan theology. We will begin by discussing the three uses of the Law and how Wesley embraced all three uses in his ministry. We will then discuss how Wesley emphasized there is never a command given in the Scriptures without a promise. Then we will finish looking at the ideas presented in Wesley's sermon "The Law Established Through Faith Part Two" see the link below to read the sermon. It is one of the best sermons ever preached.
The Law Established Through Faith 2
In this episode we will begin discussing the role of the Law in Wesleyan theology. First, we discuss Andy Stanley's new book "Irresistible" which is causing quite a stir. We will then look at Wesley's teaching on the Law and how it both drives us to Christ and keeps us in Christ. We will then discuss the distinctions between the moral, civil, and ceremonial Law. Finally, we will look at how the Law relates to the gospel in the thought of John Wesley.
Richard Watson's Theological Institutes:
Articles About Andy Stanley's Book:
Why We Can’t Unhitch from the Old Testament
10 Reasons the Old Testament Is Important for Christians
Happy Reformation month everyone! In honor of the 501st Anniversary of the Protestant Reformation we will be releasing a series of two lectures about the life of Martin Luther given at Wesley Chapel (our church) last year. This is the second lecture. We know that Luther was not Arminius or Wesley, but there would have never been an Arminius or Wesley if it were not for Luther! Don't forget that Wesley was regenerated while listening to the reading of Luther's Preface to the Epistle to the Romans. Enjoy this second lecture and Happy Reformation Day from all of us here at Remonstrance Podcast.
Link to Power Point Used:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1kaU9LFhCVmHTYK_4HvGZTuAZO4UhphJB/view?usp=sharing
Happy Reformation month everyone! In honor of the 501st Anniversary of the Protestant Reformation we will be releasing a series of two lectures about the life of Martin Luther given at Wesley Chapel (our church) last year. This is the first lecture. We know that Luther was not Arminius or Wesley, but there would have never been an Arminius or Wesley if it were not for Luther! Don't forget that Wesley was regenerated while listening to the reading of Luther's Preface to the Epistle to the Romans. Enjoy this first lecture and Happy Reformation Day from all of us here at Remonstrance Podcast.
Link to Power Point Used:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1kaU9LFhCVmHTYK_4HvGZTuAZO4UhphJB/view?usp=sharing
In this episode we will continue to discuss John Wesley's theology of medicine and healing. We will start with looking at examples from his journals where he gives examples of divine healing in his ministry. Then we will discuss Wesley's theology of divine healing and how it differed from both modern charismatic teaching and puritan influenced teaching on sickness. The bottom line is Wesley believed that God provides means for both our spiritual and physical health. We hope this episode will help you to develop your theology of divine healing.
In this episode we will discuss John Wesley's theology of medicine and healing. To start, we will discuss the various extremes that exist in the evangelical church regarding the question of medicine and healing. Then we will talk about how Wesley held a middle ground on the issue that was both rational and glorifying to God. Wesley was certainly not a cessationist, but neither did he deny that medicine was a gift of God's providence. We will also discuss John Wesley's best selling book, his "Primitive Physic" as well. We hope this episode will be a step to the development of a biblical theology of medicine and healing.
In this episode we will be discussing Wesley's Covenant Theology. As a guide we will be relying on Stanley J. Rode's book, "From Faith to Faith: John Wesley's Covenant Theology and the Way of Salvation." We encourage you to buy and read this book. Links to where you can buy it can be found below. Wesley agreed with Reformed Covenant Theology in almost every way. Where he did differ was in his view of the termination of the Covenant of Works and the universality of the moral law as an expression of the Covenant of Grace so all people can be led to Christ. These adjustments were obvious results of his Evangelical Arminian Theology. We will also be looking at the article by Dr. Vic Reasoner again to clarify the conditionality of covenants found in Wesley's Covenant Theology as well.
Links to Buy Rode's Book:
https://www.amazon.com/Faith-Salvation-Distinguished-Dissertations-Christian/dp/1620325446
https://wipfandstock.com/from-faith-to-faith-16688.html
"An Arminian Covenant Theology" Article:
In this episode we will prepare to discuss Wesley's Covenant Theology by defining Covenant Theology. To do this we will compare Covenant Theology to Dispensationalism by giving a brief introduction to both. This is by no means an exhaustive definition of either so please do not get upset if we leave something out. We will then interact a little with Dr. Vic Reasoner's Article, "An Arminian Covenant Theology." Check out the link below. We will also discuss how Dispensationalism is difficult to reconcile with Wesleyan-Arminian theology because of the possibility of covenants being broken. Stay tuned for next episode when we will dive into Wesley's Covenant Theology.
Article:
http://www.fwponline.cc/v18n2/v18n2reasonera.html
In this episode we will discuss John Wesley's theology of the Lord's Supper. Along the way we will receive help from Kenneth J. Collins, Henry H. Knight, and Fred Sanders. We will be discussing how Wesley built upon the Spiritual Presence view of John Calvin and why the early Methodists even came to Communion with an attitude of expectancy! Communion is essentially the Holy Spirit brining Christ down to commune with us as we remember the sacrifice of our Savior. We pray this episode deepens and enlivens your understanding of the Lord's Supper.
In this episode we will be jumping into the topic of the Lord's Supper (Communion) and what the views of John Wesley were on it. We will begin by laying the groundwork by discussing the differences between Transubstantiation, Consubstantiation, Memorial, and Spiritual Presence views. We will also discuss the theological development of the doctrine through the Middle Ages and into the Reformation period. Then we will discuss what John Wesley's views were on the Lord's Supper and how he personally practiced the Lord's Supper.
Link to Zondervan Academic Article:
https://zondervanacademic.com/blog/transubstantiation-consubstantiation-catholic-protestant/
In this episode we will continue our discussion on the role that the Baptism of the Holy Spirit played in the theology of John Wesley. Our discussion will primarily focus on the different views that came along after Wesley and how they influenced groups of people to move away from the teachings of Wesley himself. The people we will primarily be focusing on will be Asa Mahan, Charles Finney, and Phoebe Palmer. We will also be discussing some differences between Wesley and his contemporary John Fletcher as well.
If you are interested in learning more about John FLetcher's Dispensational Pneumatology check out J. Russel Frazier's Book:
https://www.amazon.com/True-Christianity-Doctrine-Dispensations-1729-1785/dp/1620326639
Ready for some Pneumatology? In this episode we will be discussing the role of the Holy Spirit in Wesleyan theology. We will specifically focus on what role the Baptism of the Holy Spirit played in the theology of John Wesley. Did Wesley teach that the Baptism of the Holy Spirit was a "Second Work of Grace" or did the Baptism of the Holy Spirit take place during Regeneration? Listen to find out.
In this episode we will be discussing the eschatological views of John Wesley. Our conversation will primarily surround his Postmillennial views. Wesley held to a very powerful eschatology that helped set fire to a century of revival. What would the church look like today if it embraced Wesley's Postmillennialism? “Give me one hundred preachers who fear nothing but sin and desire nothing but God, and I care not a straw whether they be clergy or laymen, such alone will shake the gates of hell and set up the kingdom of heaven upon earth.” -John Wesley
"The Hope of a Christian World: Wesleyan Eschatology and Cultural Transformation" by Dr. Vic Reasoner
Link:
http://www.fwponline.cc/v25n1/The%20Hope%20of%20a%20ChristianWorld.html
It is time to talk about the end of the world! In this episode we will jump into the topic of Eschatology or the study of the "end times." We will start off by discussing the four major Eschatological positions: Historic Premillennialism, Dispensational Premillennialism, Amillennialism, and Postmillennialism. We will then discuss the eschatological positions of Jacob Arminius and John Wesley. Don't miss next episode when we go more in depth in regards to Wesley's eschatological position.
What would it be like for Evangelical Arminians and Evangelical Calvinists to work together for the sake of the Gospel? What would it be like for us to see one another as brothers? What if we "agree to disagree" and then work together to advance the Kingdom of God like Wesley and Whitfield did? John Wesley was a "hair's breadth" from Calvinism while remaining very far from the liberal English "Arminianism" of his time. Modern Wesleyan-Arminians should occupy the same exact space. May we adopt Wesley's spirit in today's theological landscape. Calvinists and Arminians have legitimate differences that there is nothing wrong with discussing, but it is best to do so as brothers. In this episode we also discuss Wesley's use of Puritan sources and how he edited the works of Puritans to share with the Methodists. Listen to this episode and then please share it with your Arminian and Calvinist friends.
How significant are the differences between Calvinism and the theology of John Wesley? Wesley claimed it was only "a hair's breadth." Yet many modern day "Wesleyans" are trying to run as fast and far away from Calvinism as they can. In this episode we discuss how Wesley actually called doing this "foolish and sinful." Unfortunately running away from Calvinism has led many to question Inerrancy and deny important doctrine such as Penal Substitution and Meticulous Providence. In this episode we discuss the significant difference between Wesley and liberalized "Anglican Arminianism" and how he was much closer to the Evangelical Calvinists in his work for the Gospel.
"John Wesley, A Faithful Representative of Jacob Arminius" by W. Stephen Gunter
https://oimts.files.wordpress.com/2013/04/2002-2-gunter.pdf
In this episode, we will continue our discussion on Inerrancy with help from an article by Dr. Vic Reasoner. We will start with a recap of Wesley's views and then discuss the current views on Inerrancy throughout the Wesleyan-Arminian tradition. We will then spend time discussing an article by Dr. Vic Reasoner titled, "Do (Wesleyan) Arminians Believe in Inerrancy?" You can find the link to this article below.
Links:
"Do (Wesleyan) Arminians Beleive in Inerrancy?" by Dr. Vic Reasoner
http://defendinginerrancy.com/wesleyan-arminians-inerrancy/
"The Importance of Inerrancy" by Dr. Vic Reasoner
https://www.amazon.com/Importance-Inerrancy-Dr-Vic-Reasoner/dp/0976100398
FWS Podcast
https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/fws-podcast/id1337469850?mt=2
"Why Inerrancy is Compatible with Evangelical Wesleyanism" by Dr. Vic Reasoner
In this episode, we will be discussing the inerrancy of Scripture and what Arminius and Wesley wrote about this question. There is a lot of debate in Wesleyan circles today regarding this question. In an attempt to shed some light on the issue we are going to see what Jacob Arminius and John Wesley thought about inerrancy. It may not be a surprise to you but both Arminius and Wesley held to a view of Scripture that today would be described as "inerrancy." We will be relying on primary sources from Wesley and Arminius to prove our point. Stay tuned for next episode when we will continue this conversation.
In this episode we will continue to discuss how legalism distracts Christians from true holiness. We will specifically focus on different regulations and rules that people are told they need to follow in order to be "holy." We will then look at what John Wesley thought regarding two specific things that groups tend to put regulations on: dress and alcohol. What were the views of Wesley on dress codes? Did he ever make a dress code for the Methodists? What were Wesley's views on alcohol? What were his thoughts on hard alcohol? What about beer and wine? You may be surprised what you find out in this episode. We will wrap things up with a discussion on Romans 14 and how love should guide our Christian liberties.
Links:
"Methodist Origins: John Wesley and Alcohol"
By Ivan Burnett, Jr.
http://archives.gcah.org/handle/10516/3027
In this episode we will be discussing how legalism distracts Christians from true holiness. Keeping in mind what was discussed in our last two episodes on Christian Perfection, we are going to discuss how legalism corrupts a true understanding of the doctrine of Perfect Love. But not only does legalism distract us from Perfect Love, it also leads us away from the Gospel. Of course, license or antinomianism is just as dangerous as legalism. We want to make it clear that John Wesley was not a legalist, he was concerned with the inner dispositions of the heart. Any external focus was always radically secondary to the state of the heart. We are going to jump into our discussion with a little help from Keith Drury. The article we look at is available on Seedbed.com. Find the link below.
"Nine Steps That Allowed Legalism to Distract Us from Holiness"
By Keith Drury
https://www.seedbed.com/9-steps-legalism-distraact-from-holiness/
In this episode we will continue to discuss the doctrine of Christian Perfection from an Orthodox Wesleyan-Arminian perspective. We will be discussing three main points in this episode that surround one significant theme: Christian Perfection is "Imperfect Perfection." We will discuss how Christian Perfection is NOT "sinless perfection." We will also discuss how the differences between the Latin and Greek terms for "perfection" make everything more confusing. And finally, we will discuss the debate concerning whether this work is "instantaneous" or "gradual." We hope you come away from this episode with a better understanding of this controversial and often confusing teaching.
Would you like to buy a Remonstrance t-shirt? Follow the link below:
https://www.freewebstore.org/remonstrance-podcast-apparel
In this episode we will be discussing the controversial teaching of Christian Perfection in an attempt to "de-mythologize" the doctrine. It is our conviction on Remonstrance that Christian Perfection (Perfect Love) is an important doctrine for the Church, as long as it is taught accurately and in accordance with Wesley's teaching. We will be approaching this doctrine from the perspective of what Wesley taught and not what those who followed him taught. Unfortunately many who claimed to teach this doctrine in his name actually ended up changing the doctrine into something he would have never supported. We spend most of the episode defining Christian Perfection (Perfect Love). The best definition is simply, "Love Excluding Sin." We distinguish Perfect Love from "Sanctification" and talk about other issues related to this doctrine. Along the way we receive help from T.A. Noble, Randy Maddox, and Kenneth J. Collins. In the next episode we will continue our conversation so stay tuned.