John Wesley and Methodism

Vocabulary practice flashcards covering the life, career, and core theological doctrines of John Wesley and the Methodist movement.

Samuel Wesley

A clergyman belonging to the Church of England and the father of John Wesley.

Susanna Wesley

John Wesley's mother (née Annesley), a devout woman who educated her children in English, Latin, Greek, and scripture, and instilled strong moral values in them.

"A Brand Plucked out of the Fire"

A famous biblical text quoted by John Wesley throughout his life to describe his escape from his burning home in Epworth on 9 February 1709.

Charterhouse School

The London school John Wesley attended starting in 1714 at age eleven, before entering Christ Church, Oxford in 1720.

The Holy Club

The derogatory name given by detractors to an Oxford student association formed by Charles Wesley, which met regularly to study scripture, practice rigorous self-examination, visit prisons, and engage in charity.

Methodists

The name applied to John Wesley's Oxford group starting in 1732 because they followed a strict, orderly method to ensure every hour was used wisely.

Savannah Parish

The parish in the Province of Georgia in the American colonies where John Wesley was called to serve as minister in 1735.

German Moravians

A group of Christian passengers on John Wesley's 1735 voyage to Georgia whose calm prayers during a severe storm exposed Wesley's own lack of deep-rooted faith.

Collection of Psalms and Hymns

A book published by John Wesley during his ministry in Georgia, recognized as the first Anglican hymn book published in America.

Peter Böhler

A German-English Moravian missionary who advised and counselled John Wesley after Wesley returned to England in December 1737.

Aldersgate Street Experience

An event on 24 May 1738 where John Wesley heard a reading of Martin Luther's preface to the Epistle to the Romans, felt his heart "strangely warmed," and realized that salvation comes through faith in Christ rather than good deeds.

Fetter Lane Society

A religious group founded in 1738 by John Wesley, Charles Wesley, and a colleague, which organized members into smaller bands.

Class-meeting System

A organizational structure introduced by John Wesley in 1742 to enforce discipline within the Methodist Society, paired with a probationer system for prospective members.

Thomas Coke

An individual appointed as superintendent by John Wesley in 1784 when Wesley ordained two lay preachers for American Methodists after the Bishop of London refused to ordain priests.

Wesleyanism

The theological system (or Wesleyan theology) inferred from John Wesley's sermons, treatises, letters, journals, diaries, and hymns.

Four Theological Guidelines

The core sources used in Methodism to evaluate faith: Scripture (revealed), Tradition (illumined), Personal Experience (vivified), and Reason (confirmed).

Essential Doctrines on Grace

The Wesleyan theological continuum of grace consisting of Prevenient Grace, Salvation (Justification and New Birth), Sanctification, and Glorification.

Prevenient Grace

The divine grace that precedes human action, in which Christ sacrifice calls humans to faith, prompting response through repentance, self-denial, and faith without prior natural free-will.

Justification

The aspect of salvation where God converts human faith into righteousness, freely forgiving sins through the redemption provided by Jesus Christ.

New Birth

The transformational aspect of salvation wherein the Holy Spirit indwells a person, causing them to be born again into eternal life and turning them away from continuous sin.

Sanctification

The ongoing process of active faith and growth in Christlikeness, defined by Wesley as loving God with one's whole being and loving one's neighbor as oneself.

Social Holiness

John Wesley's principle that Christian holiness cannot exist in isolation, asserting that "the gospel of Christ knows of no religion but social; no holiness but social holiness."

Glorification

The doctrine referring to both the present transformation into Christ's likeness with increasing glory and the ultimate future bodily transformation into an eternal glorious body.

Works of Piety

Means of grace directed toward the love of God, including prayer, searching scriptures, Holy Communion, Christian community, and healthy living.

Works of Mercy

Means of grace directed toward the love of neighbor, including doing good, visiting the sick and prisoners, feeding and clothing the needy, earning, saving and giving all one can, and advocating social justice.