Event Title
John Wesley’s Doctrine of God
Location
Room N235
Start Date
7-2-2020 11:30 AM
End Date
7-2-2020 12:00 PM
Description
This paper examines John Wesley’s writings to propose how his doctrine of God may best be categorized in relation to strict classical theism or modified classical theism. Of relevance are several key areas—namely, (1) eternity, (2) the interrelated concepts of omnipotence, omnipresence, and omniscience, and (3) divine love.
Wesley’s writings on omnipotence, omnipresence, and omnipotence seem to align closely with classical theism. However, Wesley’s writings on eternity, unlike classical theism, seem to indicate some form of God’s temporality. His understanding of divine love and providence contains elements of reciprocity. Thus, when Wesley’s view of God’s attributes is coupled with Wesley’s understanding of divine eternity and divine love, they indicate a departure from strict classical theism toward a more modified classical theism, whether Wesley himself was aware of it or not.
John Wesley’s Doctrine of God
Room N235
This paper examines John Wesley’s writings to propose how his doctrine of God may best be categorized in relation to strict classical theism or modified classical theism. Of relevance are several key areas—namely, (1) eternity, (2) the interrelated concepts of omnipotence, omnipresence, and omniscience, and (3) divine love.
Wesley’s writings on omnipotence, omnipresence, and omnipotence seem to align closely with classical theism. However, Wesley’s writings on eternity, unlike classical theism, seem to indicate some form of God’s temporality. His understanding of divine love and providence contains elements of reciprocity. Thus, when Wesley’s view of God’s attributes is coupled with Wesley’s understanding of divine eternity and divine love, they indicate a departure from strict classical theism toward a more modified classical theism, whether Wesley himself was aware of it or not.