amy- The Question of Perfection

Let me start with a disclaimer: I may be biased towards John Wesley. Yes, I have always admired his zeal. As I learn throughout my life though, zeal works as a double edged sword. Whenever one takes a strong stance for something, many times they are misunderstood and this zeal can hinder them from reaching more people. No doubt, however, this zeal also attracts some that would not normally be attracted in the first place. I see this in the case of John Wesley and discussing him in class. It is my personal opinion that John Wesley never believed that anyone could be perfect. I do not believe that he could have preached for as long as he did, and knowing the hearts of man as he did, without coming to this conclusion. I think his message was and is for believers who wish to follow Jesus’ way to the fullest extent of their ability. Yet, as I said before, this message seems as though it was strongly said, which sometimes leaves room for a one-sided understanding. If John Wesley is stressing the power of the Holy Spirit in a Christian’s life, it may seem as though he is stating the believer himself is achieving some form of perfection. If not understood in context, John Wesley sounds like another preacher trying to raise himself up. Paul in Romans speaks of the double nature of the Christian. To think that John Wesley did not understand this double nature and that he thought the Christian could be perfect would be to reject some of the most core beliefs of the Christian faith. Talking about John Wesley’s beliefs is interesting, but there must always be an understanding of the man in relation to the Bible. Assumptions must be made about John Wesley’s beliefs on the Bible as well. Do we think he saw Romans seven, ignored what Paul was saying, and decided that he indeed could be perfect?