John Wesley: "Christian Perfection"

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses the sermon "Christian Perfection," by John Wesley. The author examines how Wesley defines perfection and Christian perfection in his sermon, and shows how Wesley believed that perfection for a Christian was something to be pursued in this life but only attainable in the life to come.

From the Paper:

"In this world therefore there is no achievable perfection, though one must strive to do so. In the after life one can presume through faith that the summit of perfection will be achieved, but one cannot assume such of this world. This does not negate the need to seek perfection in action and knowledge, it just means that in our state of living and seeking we are perfect in the eyes of the lord, as he has only given us the knowledge he deems us to need and not all the knowledge of heaven and earth."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Irvin, Dale T. ""Holiness Unto the Lord": Toward a Holiness Christian Dialogue with Judaism." Journal of Ecumenical Studies 34, no. 1 (1997): 13.
• Wesley, John. A Plain Account of Christian Perfection. London: Epworth Press, 1952.
• Wesley, John Sermon 17 "Circumcisn of Heart" http://wesley.nnu.edu/john_wesley/sermons/017.htm
• Wesley, John Sermon 40 "Christian Perfection" http://wesley.nnu.edu/john_wesley/sermons/040.htm

More papers on John Wesley: "Christian Perfection":

• Term Paper # 117359 : "John Wesley and the Methodist Movement"
• Term Paper # 125350 : "The Wesleyan Movement"

APA Citation:

MLA Citation: