The Scripture Way of Salvation: The Heart of John Wesley's Theology

by Kenneth J. Collins

Taking its title from one of John Wesley's most important sermons, The Scripture Way of Salvation explores the soteriological content of Wesley's entire literary corpus (sermons, letters, theological treatises, journals, and the notes on the Old and New Testaments). Fundamentally a doctrinal study, it is historically sensitive to the subtle shifts and nuances of Wesley's continuing reflections about the processes of salvation and the nature of Christian life. Collins provides a clear discussion of Wesley's emerging views about the development and maturation of Christian life, and in so doing highlights the essential structure that undergirds and provides the framework for Wesley's way of thinking about the processes of salvation.

Genres: Theology, Christianity, Religion

Paperback

First published July 1, 1997

About the author

American theologian Kenneth J. Collins is an internationally recognized scholar in the field of Historical Theology who has an ecumenical heart and who has produced a number of works in Christian Spirituality to reach a broad and energetic following. A popular and engaging speaker, Collins has given lectures in England, South Korea, Japan, Russia, Estonia, Costa Rica, Australia and elsewhere. Some of his works have been translated into Russian, Portuguese, Korean, Estonian and Chinese. He is a graduate of Princeton Seminary (Th.M.) and Drew University (Ph.D.) and has written and edited more than seventeen books and scores of articles. He currently serves as a professor of Historical Theology and Wesley Studies at Asbury Theological Seminary.

Reviews

[Benjamin Edwards · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solid review on the teachings and perspectives of John Wesley. I appreciate that he used a significant amount of references to sermons and notes from Wesley himself.

[Steve Irby · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quarantine-Book #49:

I just finished "The Scripture Way of Salvation: The Heart of John Wesley's Theology," by Kenneth J. Collins.

The intro says that theologians who speak or write about this, a Wesley sermon, usually deal with term "Way", or Via Salutis. Collins is dealing with what he believes is Wesley's main thrust "Scripture."

Wesley lead all points in his theology with "grace" like Luther and Calvin before him but due to his being widely read in Roman and Greek circles he added to "unmerited favor" a second point: "the leading of the Holy Spirit."

The Imago Deo in Wesley has three aspects, the moral, the political and the natural. Foremost as that aspect which corresponds to The Divine is the moral. No surprise. So in Wesley sin is in the world because man is made. In God's image, the moral image which expresses a relation to God, one that can be perverted and distorted through sin. "So understood, the moral image represents the possibility of of either humanity's glorification or of its debasement," p 25.

Wesley attributes the fall initially to Satan/Lucifer/Devil and his pride, in keeping with tradition. Satan was self tempted, unlike humanity. Mankind tempted and fallen have to contend with physical and spiritual death.

Also after the fall the Imago Dei still with three aspects--natural, political and moral--is lame in the first two and the moral side is dead. For him the Imgo Diaboli replaced the Imgo Dei. Wesleyan belief in holiness seems to be well seen based on this point: holiness reflects Godliness.

The Deists insistence on the OK-Ness of mankind made Wesley plant his flag on original sin as the keystone to his soteriology. It was a move that tried to remove the Deists "out." He knew of federal headship and Adamic representation but opted not to use the language because its are not in scripture, though their thought is in found in Wesley. The difference between Wesleyan total depravity and Augustine/Luther/Calvin has to do with what Wesley called the Natural Man: such a man is without the grace of God and such a man doesn't exist, hence [enter stage left] prevenient grace. Prevenient grace in Wesley is necessary due to his total depravity, just like Calvin needed irresistible grace.

How Wesley avoided the dreaded deterministic theology of Calvin and Luther due to original sin and depravity is through the Spirit work in prevenient grace the work of Christ restores a measure of freewill in all persons. Prevenient grace is one tool Arminius didn't have.

Wesley saw repentance as twofold: legal and evangelical. Legal is turning one's heart Godward; evangelical is the change of heart from all sin to all holiness. He seems to have expanded repentance to birth entire sanctification.

And that was ch 1. Very good Via (not Ordo) Salutis. Grab this work and get all the story including a phenomenal section on entire sanctification.

#TheScriptureWayOfSalvation #KennethJCollins #KennethCollins #OrdoSalutis #ViaSalutis #Soteriology

[Olivia Crosby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this book for a seminary class. Great insight into Wesley’s theology! I would recommend reading it and having someone/a group to discuss and break it down with. There are pieces to challenge, talk through, and grow with!

[Timo · Rating 4 out of 5]

You get a clear understanding of Wesley view on justification and sanctification

[J · Rating 5 out of 5]

excellent short book on the highlights of Wesley's theology specifically.

[J. Ewbank · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kenneth J. Collins has done an excellent job of taking John Wesley's theology and finding the nuances and poles of thought in him. He is able to show how John Wesley's theology is much more complex and ecumenical than many students of Wesley have found.

Perhaps it is his historical bent that helps him find these elements in John Wesley's theology or perhaps it is his attention to detail that gets him there. No matter, it does and the results are a book that is rich in the theology of John Wesley and the complexity of his theology.

A must read for any student of John Wesley

J. Robert Ewbank, author "John Wesley, Natural Man, and the 'Isms'"

[Zach Waldis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not the most exciting book, but it's a good take on Wesley's theology.