“Why I Am A Positive and Enthusiastic Wesleyan!”

Dr. David W. Holdren

February, 2002

I am not a “hardliner denominationalist”, but I am enthusiastically Wesleyan. Three of the reasons for my ecclesiastical euphoria are: History, Theology, and Synergy.

History

The Wesleyan story is one of fascinating beginnings!  I will identify that heritage as a journey with three phases:  cultural engagement;  personal piety;  servant-leadership.

            Cultural Engagement:  The Wesleyan Church may be one of the few denominations in history to be birthed out of the agony of social struggle and sin.  Our earliest cause was one of social repentance and righteousness.  The primary issue was slavery.  Other concerns were women’s rights and temperance.

Our early leaders, Orange Scott, Luther Lee, LaRoy Sunderland and others were in the forefront of the abolitionist movement, and the underground railroad, in the great battle over slavery in America.  John Wesley was a collaborator with William Wilberforce against slavery in England.  Early leaders of our movement believed that personal faith needs to translate into public witness and even personal risk.

            Personal Piety:  Once the social issues had been addressed, and some of them effectively resolved, there was a shift in focus toward personal spiritual righteousness, or holiness.  During those times our doctrines were more fully articulated and eventually the doctrinal wars ensued between Calvinists and Wesleyans, and the liberals and the conservatives. In The Wesleyan Church, we have referred to holiness as our “distinctive”.

For decades we preached and prayed and hoped that the rest of the religious world, (and the irreligious one) would see the light on holiness.  Lo and behold, it seems that they have, because non-Wesleyan groups are writing and speaking on the subject as much, if not more, than our own troops!

In fact, there exists almost a reservation among us to proclaim our holiness doctrine.  It could be that we have so stated, re-stated and overstated our case on holiness, that we have confused ourselves, and clouded the message.  Personally, I believe we need to regroup on this vital biblical and life issue, and get back into proclaiming, defending and living it.

Servant Leadership:

Indeed, this is not so much an issue of doctrine, or one of social transformation, but that is what makes it exciting!  It is about influence, and how it happens.  We keep learning that so much in life depends on leadership.  In the factory, the family,  on the front lines or in the world of fashion, leadership is vital.

Churches struggle, or thrive, depending on core leadership.  We have a mission and a biblical mandate.  Accomplishing the mission and fulfilling the mandate will only happen as leadership, at every level, leads the way.  Since the nature of the Church requires mobilization, direction and inspiration, we must be about the task of building leaders and empowers their leadership!

I am an enthused Wesleyan because our leadership team has called us to a Leadership Development Journey.  This is an effort to align and focus our entire church on enhanced and equipped leadership.  It is a terribly ambitious plan, and unprecedented, but biblical, and could be powerful in shaping who we become and what God accomplishes through us.

Theology

Wesleyans have a theology that is dynamic and  debatable, though maybe a bit dated in its expression. The last word is not as negative as it may sound.

John Calvin was a logical and systematic theologian.  Logical, systematic and interlocked are words that describe his theology, called “Calvinism”, or Reformed theology.  The huge danger of this type of theology is that where you end up depends majorly upon the accuracy of the foundation.  Error at any point in the lock-step system magnifies the error of the teaching built on it.

Wesleyan theology tends to be inter-connected, yet each major teaching stands on its own merits, so to speak.  Wesley never attempted to lock-step his teachings, recognizing the danger of the afore-mentioned approach.

As a result, Wesleyan theology is dynamic rather than static.  Every point of Wesleyan theology is robust enough to be considered on its own merits, discussed, refined and revised in ways that do not keep it culture or tine-bound, yet allow it to flow from scripture.

It is dynamic also in the sense that Wesley allowed his view to be influenced by what is now known as The Wesleyan Quadrilateral, which recognizes the value of tradition, experience, and reason to serve our understanding of The Bible, which is “Home Base” in this quadrilateral concept of learning.. This approach to truth allows one to consider “context” without sacrificing the core foundations.

Wesley’s constant emphasis on The Holy Word, The Holly Spirit and the holy life certainly provided a platform for dynamic thinking and teaching.

Wesley preferred his teachings to be debatable.  He avoided slandering other Christian doctrinal viewpoints, though he readily debated them.  When once asked if he would see John Calvin (a doctrinal “foe”) in Heaven, Wesley replied,  “If I get close enough to the throne of God.”  His grace and humility was effectively exposed by such an attitude.

Another way of describing Wesleyan thought is that it tends to be interactive, and its tenets are interdependent.  

Having said all of that, any belief system worth,… well,… believing,  deserves an occasional assessment, and restatement.  Any doctrine comes with the barnacles of its times and context.  We are called to serve the present age, and we must speak to the present age to serve them.  Such an endeavor can result in a product that is reviewed, refined, retrofitted and re-enforced.

So, I am a positive Wesleyan because its doctrine is dynamic, debatable and is dignified by a strong multi-faceted foundation.  And, its focus on love, transformation, compassion, the Holy Spirit, and witness make it usable for each generation.

Synergy:

The third reason why I am a positive and enthused Wesleyan is related to the infamous 9-11 experience that our nation (and the world) has been enduring.

There is clearly a move toward tolerance.  This has awesome implications for religion and faith.  Is the day vanishing when any religion can publicly proclaim that it heralds the truth?  Is there anything essential about Jesus?  Is the Bible on par with the Koran and the Book of Mormon, or even a modern science textbook?  Will our world tolerate Christians referring the The Way?

It is a terrific time of opportunity for Wesleyans to be on the front lines of the Post 9-11 efforts to exhibit compassion and conscience in ways that really make the Gospel attractive to those paying attention, and to get the attention of those that aren’t.

It is time to figure out fresh and effective ways to do what the Apostle Paul called “proclaim and defend” the gospel.  God wants, I believe, to use The Wesleyan Church in ways bigger than we have ever dared to dream.  It is time that we clarified our identity, articulate the meaning of spiritual security, and exhibit Christ-like community and love!

Is it possible that what Methodism was to the early American landscape, God wants us to be to our present culture?!

These are just a few of the reasons why I am a positive and enthused Wesleyan!