Abstract:
This thesis is an analysis and examination of the concept of Faith as
understood, experienced, and held by John Wesley: Throughout this study, the
question, "Is this Faith possible" lingers, depicting the serious quest of heart and
mind to understand Wesley's theology and his empirical view of Faith, as found
in the eighteenth-century Revival in England and in Methodism. The problem
of the usage of Faith, and the confusion of Freedom, in the life of the "true
Christian" in Society, forms the basis of this discussion.
The concepts Faith, Freedom, and Society are each examined in this work:
The Spirit of the Age, as depicted by the thought of Kant the "transcendentalist"
in Europe; of Locke the English empiricist; and of Edwards the Calvinist in
America, give insight into the struggle in the pursuit of Freedom. These
difficulties are met by the unique ministry of Wesley, who would not compromise
man's "unalienable right" to be Free, especially in the light of "salvation by faith."
In this analysis and consideration I look at Wesley's concepts of Faith,
Freedom, and his understanding of Society, in the light of his theology and ethics,
as well as the milieu of the eighteenth century; the implications of these are
considered, taking note of, the influence and the impact of Wesley's ministry and
writings upon almost all of the eighteenth-century English population, as well as
the overflow of the same into the wider world.
What happened through his ministry stresses the truth that, what he knew
as Faith, was very different from the orthodox and traditional views. More than
ever, this needs to be understood today. Wesley's experience of Faith, in his
Freedom with regard to Society, is as relevant today as it was then. This thesis
sets out to clarify some of the problems: What Wesley had found, history
cannot deny.
