Thank you. Enjoyed reading this. I don't think of myself as a Methodist or Wesleyan but just a Christian who want everything the Lord has for me. I have studied and walked with Him 50 years. I see a whole lot of people who love Jesus who believe the basic tenets of faith and yet disagree on whether the gifts of the Spirit are still valid. I have friends who totally believe in the election of the saints and predestination. I very much believe the power of God is very much every where doing amazing things. If I understand what you are saying, I agree with you that the hard line on predestination doesn't take into account His grace and mercy. I will not ever be the scholar you are, even if I try until now and going home, but I can say this with absolute certainly. It is a line taken from the TV series "The Chosen". Mary Magdalena was asked could she explain what had happened to her to free her from her bondage from the enemy’s lies. She said something like this. "I only know I used to be one way and now I am another and the difference in between was HIM". That is what I know deep down. After 50 years I have heard thousands of sermons, been involved in many ministries and hopefully learned more than most, but at the end of the day all I can say to anyone who asks is "All I know is I used to be one way and now I am different and what happened in between is Him.:
Your brief explanation of why the reformed are wrong about predestination warned my heart. I probably wouldn’t have been quite so kind. If the final outcome of our eternal destiny has been decided (predestined) from eternity past, why then continue with the facade and drama of telling ourselves we have free will to choose?
You have made the case for Wesleyan theology in precise, scintillating, and masterful prose. We are aroused from our sleepy aggrieved state to vigor and joy in the Lord. "Field test" this preaching. Do it.
Thanks Dr Watson for this optimistic view for the revival of true Christianity here in the West. Compared to the many pessimistic views of these days, it’s encouraging. I would only add that in my opinion, each local assembly of believers as to somehow become a “mini-seminary” in order to facilitate this much needed transformation. There are far too many “church attendees “ here in Western Christianity that do believe that what you believe isn’t all that important, as long as you’re sincere about it.
In reading your words here I'm reminded of Billy’s book entitled "Waking From Doctrinal Amnesia" - we need to once again reclaim the power of the Gospel as it is given to us from the Holy Spirit and the Saints of the Church. Remember who and whose we are.
Excellent as always. This is such an important message for our time! May the Holy Spirit help us to witness, preach, teach and communicate well and faithfully the Word of the living Lord!
Dr. Watson, I’d love it if you could recommend readings that would help folks like me understand (and articulate) Wesleyan/Arminian theology. (Wesley’s sermons, of course, being on the list.)
Kyle, check out works by Billy Abraham and Ken Collins. Kevin Watson’s new book will be helpful too. Additionally, I found Maddox’s Responsible Grace very informative.
Yes , to God’s transformation of individual lives, marriages, life situations, but how to theologically move beyond individual experiences into the broader world is very difficult if even possible. Who having the knowledge and ability wouldn’t have stopped the collision of the American Spirit airline with the military helicopter in Washington or the crash of the medical plane in Philadelphia? Having the wherewithal to just slow things down by a few seconds would have prevented the mid air collision. How to rethink theologically our doctrine of the Divine seems very much needed if we are to move beyond the individual experience of God’s redemption.
Thank you. Enjoyed reading this. I don't think of myself as a Methodist or Wesleyan but just a Christian who want everything the Lord has for me. I have studied and walked with Him 50 years. I see a whole lot of people who love Jesus who believe the basic tenets of faith and yet disagree on whether the gifts of the Spirit are still valid. I have friends who totally believe in the election of the saints and predestination. I very much believe the power of God is very much every where doing amazing things. If I understand what you are saying, I agree with you that the hard line on predestination doesn't take into account His grace and mercy. I will not ever be the scholar you are, even if I try until now and going home, but I can say this with absolute certainly. It is a line taken from the TV series "The Chosen". Mary Magdalena was asked could she explain what had happened to her to free her from her bondage from the enemy’s lies. She said something like this. "I only know I used to be one way and now I am another and the difference in between was HIM". That is what I know deep down. After 50 years I have heard thousands of sermons, been involved in many ministries and hopefully learned more than most, but at the end of the day all I can say to anyone who asks is "All I know is I used to be one way and now I am different and what happened in between is Him.:
Your brief explanation of why the reformed are wrong about predestination warned my heart. I probably wouldn’t have been quite so kind. If the final outcome of our eternal destiny has been decided (predestined) from eternity past, why then continue with the facade and drama of telling ourselves we have free will to choose?
You have made the case for Wesleyan theology in precise, scintillating, and masterful prose. We are aroused from our sleepy aggrieved state to vigor and joy in the Lord. "Field test" this preaching. Do it.
David,
Thank you! I firmly believe Wesleyan theology is the theology to best meet the needs of the 21st Century—especially for young people.
So many feel hopeless and stuck in life. Wesleyan theology tells us that in Christ, we can be set free and live a life of love and meaning.
Bless you for helping so many to understand these great truths.
Thanks for another good article!
This is a nice reflection that complements my own article at CT!
Thanks Dr Watson for this optimistic view for the revival of true Christianity here in the West. Compared to the many pessimistic views of these days, it’s encouraging. I would only add that in my opinion, each local assembly of believers as to somehow become a “mini-seminary” in order to facilitate this much needed transformation. There are far too many “church attendees “ here in Western Christianity that do believe that what you believe isn’t all that important, as long as you’re sincere about it.
Thanks, David, for this good word! 🙏🏻
In reading your words here I'm reminded of Billy’s book entitled "Waking From Doctrinal Amnesia" - we need to once again reclaim the power of the Gospel as it is given to us from the Holy Spirit and the Saints of the Church. Remember who and whose we are.
Excellent as always. This is such an important message for our time! May the Holy Spirit help us to witness, preach, teach and communicate well and faithfully the Word of the living Lord!
Dr. Watson, I’d love it if you could recommend readings that would help folks like me understand (and articulate) Wesleyan/Arminian theology. (Wesley’s sermons, of course, being on the list.)
Kyle, check out works by Billy Abraham and Ken Collins. Kevin Watson’s new book will be helpful too. Additionally, I found Maddox’s Responsible Grace very informative.
And David F. Watson. Check him out.
Yes , to God’s transformation of individual lives, marriages, life situations, but how to theologically move beyond individual experiences into the broader world is very difficult if even possible. Who having the knowledge and ability wouldn’t have stopped the collision of the American Spirit airline with the military helicopter in Washington or the crash of the medical plane in Philadelphia? Having the wherewithal to just slow things down by a few seconds would have prevented the mid air collision. How to rethink theologically our doctrine of the Divine seems very much needed if we are to move beyond the individual experience of God’s redemption.