Thesis (Ph. D. in Religion)--Vanderbilt University, May 2009. / Title from title screen. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (D. Min.)--Perkins School of Theology, Southern Methodist University, 1985. / Abstract and vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves [165-168]).

Thesis (D. Min.)--Perkins School of Theology, Southern Methodist University, 1985. / Abstract and vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves [165-168]).

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. / Philosophy, Practical and Ststematic Theology / D. Th. (Theological Ethics)

John Wesley was a well educated son of a cleric, who chose to be a theologian and a minister in the Church of England. His theological distinctive was his insistence on the possibility of entire sanctification in this lifetime. In response to their position on sanctification, Wesley and the Methodists sought to save souls and cure the ills in society because they believed it was divinely mandated. Their love and work for the less fortunate was a response to their love for God and in obedience to His commandments. This is the great success of their work. They were able to serve God and their generation in a balanced yet inseparable way. The result of Wesley's life, direct and indirect, was that the social and spiritual plight of thousands of individuals and families was improved and dozens of church groups, missionary societies and benevolent organisations have emerged / Christian Spirituality, Church History and Missiology / Th.M. (Church History)

No description available.

Ce mémoire s'intéresse au débat dans l'Église évangélique luthérienne au Canada concernant le mariage des personnes du même genre, à l'aube du 21e siècle. Il démontre comment le présent débat est une façade pour un débat encore plus ancien concernant le rôle de la loi dans la vie du croyant, notamment "après" la justification (le "troisième usage de la loi"). Un bref aperçu historique de la manière dont les communautés luthériennes ont déjà compris le rôle de la loi est fourni pour montrer comment les arguments contemporains sont enracinés dans l'histoire ecclésiale. Une soixantaine de textes récents rédigés par des théologiens, pasteurs et laïcs concernant le mariage des personnes du même genre sont également évalués par l'application du quadrilatère wesleyen.