Predestination

John Wesley on Predestination

For some time now, I have been unsure about my beliefs regarding predestination and free will and its significance to my Christian walk. Coming to College, I had my worries that Calvinistic beliefs would be forced upon me, and I am glad that has not been the case. While these beliefs have not been forced, they have been some of the only beliefs displayed. Comingfrom a nondenominational church, predestination is something I am quite unaccustomed to, and after learning more about it, there are more and more things that stick out as unusual and disagreeable to me. John Wesley is a renowned theologian, and throughout the course of his life he developed many strong opinions, and a definite very strong stance on predestination. He in many ways holds theopposite of John Calvin’s stance on predestination. John Wesley strongly and boldly refutes predestination, claiming in response absolute election and reprobation “cannot be found in holy writ,” and that the idea of predestination is “a plant that bears dismal fruit.” Consistently through his writings, John Wesley defends the idea that predestination is not valid, and that it is detrimental to ourChristian faith. Through pointing out contradictions and irrationality within the concepts of predestination and free will, Wesley “vehemently argues against these beliefs” and makes some assertions of his own, views of justification through faith and sanctification.
It is interesting to look at the history of controversy observed between Calvinistic theology and its opposing views. The Pelagianvs. Augustinian controversy was roughly dominated by Augustinian supporters, and the Armenian vs. Calvinist discussion is more or less won by the Calvinist argument. The only lasting “victory” against Calvinism is Wesleyan theology. This theology, as the name gives away, comes from the thoughts and beliefs of John Wesley. Wesley considered the issues of free will and predestination as extremelyimportant because “a mans belief in his fate does much toward determining his present action.” Essentially, people act accordingly to what they believe, especially in terms of free will. This is why Wesley invested so much in the topic. He has been a huge influence in this field. The way he developed his beliefs was through very biblical and reason based study. He does state that he doesn’t know ifhe for sure has the everything down, directly asks people to challenge him if he is indeed wrong “Point me out a better way than I have yet known. Show me it is so, by plain proof of scripture.” I really like this. His beliefs are completely based in scripture and sound rational, and he wasn’t afraid to accept challenges to his beliefs, nor was he afraid to defend his beliefs. He honestly wantedto have true biblical beliefs. I think that is how we should all be in response for our beliefs. We should have biblical backing for what we say.
Through his studies and experiences, John Wesley came to the conclusion that free will and the concept of predestination are linked to one another; you have one or the other, with no in between. Wesley says that free will is “a liberty within theperson to do or be what he pleases.” This free will is able to be seen in many examples such as that man has a soul, man can willfully control his body and actions, man is able to exercise his faith, and he is capable of inward emotions. These reasons are found throughout the works of Wesley. There are also indications for free will that can be seen by from God. The Wisdom, Justice, Love,unchangeableness, and sovereignty of God all display indications of our free will, according to Wesley. There are many obvious indications of our free will. “Even the guilty conscience proceeds from the “fact” that man is free to have acted better” not only are there general indications of our free will that Wesley points out, Wesley makes many logical claims about free will, especially when speaking on...