In our examination of John Wesley's Via Salutis (Way of Salvation) we come to a consideration of the role of baptism and how Wesley balanced a sacramental and an evangelical understanding of baptism. In The United Methodist Church we see how baptism is today understood, in part: "In baptism the Church declares that it is bound in covenant to God; through baptism new persons are initiated into that covenant. The covenant connects God, the community of faith, and the person being baptized ..."
Oct 12, 2014
In our examination of John Wesley's Via Salutis (Way of Salvation) we come to a consideration of the role of baptism and how Wesley balanced a sacramental and an evangelical understanding of baptism. In The United Methodist Church we see how baptism is today understood, in part: "In baptism the Church declares that it is bound in covenant to God; through baptism new persons are initiated into that covenant. The covenant connects God, the community of faith, and the person being baptized ..."
Oct 12, 2014•38 min
Faith, hope and love - the three theological virtues - were described by John Wesley as the marks of the new birth. We see how these marks play an important role in Wesley's Via Salutis (Way of Salvation) and how we can live in ways characterized by these virtues today.
Oct 05, 2014
Faith, hope and love - the three theological virtues - were described by John Wesley as the marks of the new birth. We see how these marks play an important role in Wesley's Via Salutis (Way of Salvation) and how we can live in ways characterized by these virtues today.
Oct 05, 2014•37 min
In our conversation about the Wesleyan Via Salutis (Way of Salvation), we discover that regeneration (the work of God within us) accompanies justification (the work of God for us). In justification, the guilt and shame of past sin are defeated but in regeneration the power of sin is broken such that we avoid endless cycles of sin and forgiveness and the process of sanctification can begin. The vital work of the Spirit empowers us to begin a journey towards holiness and righteous, not tomorrow, b...
Sep 28, 2014
In our conversation about the Wesleyan Via Salutis (Way of Salvation), we discover that regeneration (the work of God within us) accompanies justification (the work of God for us). In justification, the guilt and shame of past sin are defeated but in regeneration the power of sin is broken such that we avoid endless cycles of sin and forgiveness and the process of sanctification can begin. The vital work of the Spirit empowers us to begin a journey towards holiness and righteous, not tomorrow, b...
Sep 28, 2014•32 min
In our reflection on the Wesleyan Via Salutis (Way of Salvation) we look at the question of atonement and how this was understood by Wesley and others throughout the history of the church. We see how varied perspectives can provide a more well-rounded understanding of atonement than one single view alone. Most importantly, we see how it is through the birth, life, death, resurrection and ascension of Christ that our own experience of forgiveness can be envisioned.
Sep 21, 2014
In our reflection on the Wesleyan Via Salutis (Way of Salvation) we look at the question of atonement and how this was understood by Wesley and others throughout the history of the church. We see how varied perspectives can provide a more well-rounded understanding of atonement than one single view alone. Most importantly, we see how it is through the birth, life, death, resurrection and ascension of Christ that our own experience of forgiveness can be envisioned.
Sep 21, 2014•35 min
We examine the concept of justification by grace through faith and its critical role in the Wesleyan Via Salutis (Way of Salvation). We ask exactly what constitutes such faith, how it is that we receive it by grace, and, given its role in salvation, exactly what it is from which we are saved. We look to John Wesley's personal experience of God's grace to help us understand the importance of the doctrine of justification in our own lives.
Sep 14, 2014
We examine the concept of justification by grace through faith and its critical role in the Wesleyan Via Salutis (Way of Salvation). We ask exactly what constitutes such faith, how it is that we receive it by grace, and, given its role in salvation, exactly what it is from which we are saved. We look to John Wesley's personal experience of God's grace to help us understand the importance of the doctrine of justification in our own lives.
Sep 14, 2014•37 min
As we consider the Wesleyan Via Salutis (Way of Salvation) we see that, for Wesley, repentance is prior to saving faith and that repentance is evidenced by "fruits meet for repentance," there being time and opportunity. The Wesleyan understanding of "fruits meet for repentance" is reflected in the General Rules that have shaped Methodism over many years.
Sep 07, 2014
As we consider the Wesleyan Via Salutis (Way of Salvation) we see that, for Wesley, repentance is prior to saving faith and that repentance is evidenced by "fruits meet for repentance," there being time and opportunity. The Wesleyan understanding of "fruits meet for repentance" is reflected in the General Rules that have shaped Methodism over many years.
Sep 07, 2014•32 min
In the Wesleyan Via Salutis (Way of Salvation), the moral law functions as a mirror that reflects back one's life against a normed standard and that acts as a catalyst to allow God's convincing grace to, literally, convince one of the need for change, i.e. repentance. In many ways, convincing grace functions as a "wake up call" to those who are sleeping through the opportunity to grow towards being remade in the image of God.
Aug 31, 2014
In the Wesleyan Via Salutis (Way of Salvation), the moral law functions as a mirror that reflects back one's life against a normed standard and that acts as a catalyst to allow God's convincing grace to, literally, convince one of the need for change, i.e. repentance. In many ways, convincing grace functions as a "wake up call" to those who are sleeping through the opportunity to grow towards being remade in the image of God.
Aug 31, 2014•33 min
In the Wesleyan Via Salutis (The Way of Salvation), prevenient grace (grace that "comes before") elevates humankind from the depths of brokenness after the Fall, restoring just enough for the Imago Dei for humankind to be able to begin to respond to God's gracious offer of salvation. In this manner, God acts first and it is only by the grace of God that humankind is rendered capable of any response at all. In other words, we are not alone as we struggle to "work out our own salvation" but, best ...
Aug 24, 2014
In the Wesleyan Via Salutis (The Way of Salvation), prevenient grace (grace that "comes before") elevates humankind from the depths of brokenness after the Fall, restoring just enough for the Imago Dei for humankind to be able to begin to respond to God's gracious offer of salvation. In this manner, God acts first and it is only by the grace of God that humankind is rendered capable of any response at all. In other words, we are not alone as we struggle to "work out our own salvation" but, best ...
Aug 24, 2014•29 min
As we continue our journey along the Wesleyan Via Salutis (Way of Salvation) we examine the concepts of creation and fall, and how the grace of God, understood in the Wesleyan sense, allows for the divine initiative to begin the road to recovery from the catastrophic consequences of the fall of humankind.
Aug 17, 2014
As we continue our journey along the Wesleyan Via Salutis (Way of Salvation) we examine the concepts of creation and fall, and how the grace of God, understood in the Wesleyan sense, allows for the divine initiative to begin the road to recovery from the catastrophic consequences of the fall of humankind.
Aug 17, 2014•30 min
We begin to examine the Via Salutis - the Way of Salvation - in Wesleyanism and see immediately how John Wesley described this as "The Scripture Way of Salvation." Throughout his nuanced and highly developed understanding of salvation, grace is the thread that weaves the entire tapestry together. Wesley saw grace as both the unmerited love of God and as the power of the Holy Spirit that enables one to walk in the ways of God, thus holding together conjunctively both the so-called "Protestant" em...
Aug 10, 2014
We begin to examine the Via Salutis - the Way of Salvation - in Wesleyanism and see immediately how John Wesley described this as "The Scripture Way of Salvation." Throughout his nuanced and highly developed understanding of salvation, grace is the thread that weaves the entire tapestry together. Wesley saw grace as both the unmerited love of God and as the power of the Holy Spirit that enables one to walk in the ways of God, thus holding together conjunctively both the so-called "Protestant" em...
Aug 10, 2014•38 min
As we examine sex and violence within the context of the alarming tendency in society to blame the victim, we once again see that when power and justice come into conflict, power wins when justice should.
Jul 27, 2014
As we examine sex and violence within the context of the alarming tendency in society to blame the victim, we once again see that when power and justice come into conflict, power wins when justice should.
Jul 27, 2014•36 min
As we explore the phenomenon of victim blaming, we look to the difficult subject of addiction. As we seek out those to whom we might assign responsibility, we notice that we, the church, are silent on our own role in failing to address issues of addiction.
Jul 20, 2014
As we explore the phenomenon of victim blaming, we look to the difficult subject of addiction. As we seek out those to whom we might assign responsibility, we notice that we, the church, are silent on our own role in failing to address issues of addiction.
Jul 20, 2014•31 min
As we continue to examine victim blaming, we consider the justice system as it exists today in the US and see areas in which the innocent, such as the children of those incarcerated, often pay the price for crimes of which they are innocent. We look to the work of The United Methodist Church in restorative justice to see how we might be involved locally in addressing such large-scale problems.
Jul 13, 2014
As we continue to examine victim blaming, we consider the justice system as it exists today in the US and see areas in which the innocent, such as the children of those incarcerated, often pay the price for crimes of which they are innocent. We look to the work of The United Methodist Church in restorative justice to see how we might be involved locally in addressing such large-scale problems.
Jul 13, 2014•30 min
As we consider the phenomenon of victim blaming in society, we look at poverty and how those living in poverty are often blamed for the situation in which they find themselves. We look at the questions of individual and societal responsibility in light of the Biblical narrative and conclude that victim blaming has no place in the Gospel message of Jesus.
Jul 06, 2014
As we consider the phenomenon of victim blaming in society, we look at poverty and how those living in poverty are often blamed for the situation in which they find themselves. We look at the questions of individual and societal responsibility in light of the Biblical narrative and conclude that victim blaming has no place in the Gospel message of Jesus.
Jul 06, 2014•34 min
We see how the Biblical Holiness Code guides us through an understanding of taboos whose violation can make us feel unclean and even cause us to blame ourselves for something that could have been entirely out of our control. The Holiness Code suggests that the difficult task of self forgiveness can be passed to God, whose love and grace can make whole that which feels damaged.
Jun 29, 2014
We see how the Biblical Holiness Code guides us through an understanding of taboos whose violation can make us feel unclean and even cause us to blame ourselves for something that could have been entirely out of our control. The Holiness Code suggests that the difficult task of self forgiveness can be passed to God, whose love and grace can make whole that which feels damaged.
Jun 29, 2014•31 min
