John Wesley’s Thoughts Upon Methodism
June 26, 2007 — Kevin Watson
In 1786, the founder of Methodism, John Wesley, looked back on the revival begun during his lifetime. He seemed to think that it was well enough established that it would not immediately vanish after his death. However, he was not content with the survival of a lifeless sect that hung around, but failed to renew souls in the image of their creator. He wrote in “Thoughts Upon Methodism” :
I am not afraid that the people called Methodists should ever cease to exist either in Europe or America. But I am afraid lest they should only exist as a dead sect, having the form of religion without the power. And this undoubtedly will be the case unless they hold fast both the doctrine, spirit, and discipline with which they first set out.
This passage is one that haunts me. It is as if Wesley continues to challenge all who call themselves Methodists to continue to have the zeal to “spread Scriptural holiness” that the early Methodists had. I can’t read this quote without asking myself the obvious question: Is the United Methodist Church in America a dead sect, does it have the form or religion without the power? Or have we held fast to the doctrine, spirit, and discipline with which we first set out?
I plan on looking at the three keys that Wesley lifts up in this passage in the days to come (doctrine, spirit, and discipline). Until then, I would be very interested in your reaction to the implicit question Wesley asks us today, Are we a dead sect, or do we have he form and power of godliness?
April 20, 2008 at 12:50 pm
Yes, unfortunately Methodism is a dead sect - utterly dead. I am a former Methodist, now an Anglican Catholic and a Christian Zionist. Interesting combination I know, but utterly on fire for God and committed to bringing lost souls into the kingdom. The Methodist Church, in my opinion, has traded the Gospel of Jesus Christ for the Social Gospel - basically all people are good and will get to heaven regardless of the means (, and they love big government which fosters socialism in our country). We Catholics do not believe that - we believe that calling upon the name of Jesus is the ONLY means of redemption, renewal and resurrection into His eternal Kingdom, for there is no other name under heaven by which we must be saved. I am a lawyer, cum evangelist and love to speak about my salvation experience and travels in Christ’s Holy Church (I have been a Pentecostal, Baptist, Methodist, Lutheran and now an Anglican - praise God, He sent me to everyone of those church bodies to learn something, lol).
BTW, Methodism is not the only dead sect in our world today. I especially hold in contempt the theology of the United Church of Christ that currently proclaims “God is Still Speaking”. God has spoken once and for all time in the person of His Son Jesus Christ, the Word. We fought this heresy at Nicea and other places, yet here it crops up again. The Holy Spirit DOES speak to individuals to guide and direct those who invite Him to indwell them, but this is not what the UCC has in mind - they infer that a new word of tolerance (for sin) has been given, much like the Methodists, Lutherans and Episcopalians seem to embrace. Because of these heretical winds blowing through the Church we are seeing the ‘great falling away’ indicated in Holy Scripture. I doubt that the ‘institutional’ churches are strong enough to withstand the various worldly agendas being brought to bear. But of course, the Church will prevail even against the gates of hell. Fortunately, there are members of Christ’s Church scattered throughout the various churches so there still is hope.
April 28, 2008 at 11:45 am
then the work of evangelism has only begun when a person repents and believes. At that point he still needs by gospel preaching - evangelism - to have the way of God expounded more perfectly (Acts 18:26) and to be rooted and grounded in the truth (Col. 2:6-7). This aspect of evangelism is almost entirely neglected today.
May 9, 2008 at 9:51 pm
Methodism has reach heritage.It can only be rectify in way of implementation.
Vision of John Wesley is alive to day even by Local Lay preacher and Preachers.
May 9, 2008 at 10:22 pm
Greats REVOLUTION IN Christian WORLD WAS brought by John Wesley.
I know he was such a tool that was used in Christian World
for Great re bible.His prayer inspires us to today.
June 18, 2008 at 12:43 am
A great re bible came in Christian world by Rev.John Wesley. Bristol was his first Methodist Station in west England.Man who courageously proclaimed. THE WORLD IS MY PARISH.It survive today also .Methodist sect is alive today and carry the vision of John Wesley in this century.