There’s a wonderful article in Christianity Today about an upsurge in Methodist and Wesleyan beliefs. Specifically, it notes increasing interest among some young clergy and scholars.
Here’s a key quote:
There appears to be a growing number of young people drawn to Wesleyanism and Wesleyan-Arminian theology. Nearly 20 years after the rise of New Calvinism—when “Young, Restless, Reformed” Christians embraced the doctrinal system taught by French theologian John Calvin—there’s a new and renewed interest in another theological tradition, which has a bit of a different flavor.
The article mentions IRD’s John Wesley Institute as one example of renewed Wesleyan theological vitality. It cites JWI’s 2022 statement “The Faith Once Delivered,” an explanation of Wesleyan theology drafted by over 60 Wesleyan scholars. Also, it cites The Next Methodism, an edited volume of Wesleyan theology with 33 contributing scholars and writers (including me!) IRD organized the book, which was edited by IRD board member Ken Collins of Asbury Theological Seminary and our John Wesley Institute director Ryan Danker. The book was published in 2022 by Seedbed, a publisher of Wesleyan resources cited by the article. It’s become one of Seedbed’s bestselling books, as the article notes.
Besides JWI and Seedbed, the CT article also cites More to the Story, the Francis Asbury Society, the Fundamental Wesleyan Society, Firebrand Magazine, and Holy Joys as other examples of groups offering Wesleyan theological formation. And of course, it mentions Wesleyan schools such as Asbury Seminary, United Seminary and Wesley Biblical Seminary, all of which are growing. It also recalls the nationally publicized revival at Asbury University last year, and the formation of the new Global Methodist Church, whose founding General Conference convenes Friday in Costa Rica.
Here one quote from the CT article:
“Things have shifted,” said Brian Shelton, Asbury University’s Wesley Scholar in Residence. “Wesley is fire now.”
And here’s another:
“The Wesleyan understanding of church and Christianity is … what our society is looking for,” Chris Lohrstorfer of Wesley Biblical Seminary said, citing an “epidemic of loneliness.”
Although the article notes renewed Wesleyan activity partly responds to the organization and prominence of Calvinist institutions and resources in American evangelicalism and Protestantism, it’s important to see Wesleyanism as not simply a riposte to Calvinism. The Methodist and Wesleyan movement is one of global Christianity’s major traditions. Its strength and renewal serve the whole Body of Christ. Methodists and Wesleyans should not fear or resent the success of other traditions but learn from them.
For several decades IRD, which is ecumenical, Protestant and Catholic, had a United Methodist program devoted to activism for renewal in that denomination. Since the schism, and the closure of our United Methodist Action program, our John Wesley Institute has focused on theological formation for the wider Wesleyan world, transcending denominations. These resources aim to help all Christians seeking greater holiness and peace. We also are focusing on developing a contemporary Wesleyan political theology to address society.
I’m grateful for this important and comprehensive CT article from Clayton Sidenbender, himself a young Wesleyan layman in Indiana. Read his article here.
Comment by Salvatore Anthony Luiso on September 18, 2024 at 5:48 pm
Although it seems to me the evangelical movement in America has become increasingly ahistorical–that is, increasingly ignorant of and separated from church history–I am aware that there are still some members of it who seek to be connected to at least some of our forebears of the faith.
I’ve wondered why certain forebears are considered to be much more of an example than others, and why certain ones are ignored.
In particular, I’ve wondered why John Wesley has been ignored by almost everyone who doesn’t belong to a church of the Wesleyan tradition.
I’m glad that he and his tradition are finally getting more of the attention they deserve.
Comment by MikeB on September 20, 2024 at 10:50 am
It’s amazing how for years the UM tried to fence in Wesley, they told Methodists that unless they accepted and welcomed sin into the church, that people would stop coming.
But this welcoming of sin and focus on politics caused massive church attendance declines.
Now shockingly after the split, Wesleyan theology and energy is thriving, escaped from the chains of UM.
Very much appreciate the highlight of all of these venues of biblical thought.
Comment by David Gingrich on September 21, 2024 at 7:42 am
Do any of these theological battles affect how Christians should act? No. They have “become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal”.
The reason the Church is divided is because of a lack of theological humility – by the followers of Christ. Wesleyanism being ascendant (if it really is) will not fix anything.
Comment by Andrew on September 24, 2024 at 3:39 pm
I find this a bit counter-intuitive in some respects. Culturally part of the population of the US seems to be rejecting the notion of ‘freedom’ – especially individual freedoms. The 1st and 2nd Amendments – heck the entire Bill of Rights, for some, need to be limited in order to preserve the nation. They are dangerous ‘freedoms’ – violent language – mal- and mis-information abound to lead the population astray. But yet freedom – most importantly the freedom that comes from God via prevenient grace – for the individual to choose or reject the Divine is now trending. Probably because the concept has been ‘freed’ from that part of the institution that moved toward the notion that Government – and the safety it provides as long as we surrender our freedoms – is on par with the divine. Freedom is a scary notion – risk is inherent and elicits fear – when it should inspire and lead to true love and redemption.