Date of Award

2024

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts

College

Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary

Program

Religion, MA

First Advisor

Denis Kaiser

Second Advisor

Cedric Vine

Abstract

Problem

Since the 1970s, there has been an ongoing discussion about the extent to which Ellen White’s soteriology reflected or was influenced by John Wesley’s soteriology. The result has been a general lack of consensus. This study attempted to clearly delineate Wesley’s and White’s soteriological systems and distinguish them from various theological phenomena within American Methodism.

Method

The research for this thesis was predominantly drawn from primary source material which was organized chronologically in order to allow for the natural development of thought and ideas over time. The theological contexts of Wesley and White were explored and connected by an overview of American Methodism.

Conclusions

The comparative study demonstrated that John Wesley’s and Ellen White’s soteriological systems were essentially identical in the following four areas: the conceptualization of justification, the degree to which sanctification was emphasized, the acknowledgment of a progressive aspect to sanctification alongside distinct stages of Christian growth, and the affirmation that sanctification is the highest stage a Christian can reach. While John Wesley and Ellen White were shown to share distinct commonalities, however, Ellen White went beyond John Wesley’s articulation of perfection by emphasizing the role of the Holy Spirit.

Subject Area

Salvation--Comparative studies; White, Ellen G., 1827-1015; Wesley, John, 1703-1791

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