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Religion Forum Index » Christian Methodist Forum » Methodist: Wesley on the Bible
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[An HTML version of this can be found at:
<http://www.gbgm-umc.org/weidman/Pastors/WESSCRPT.htm>.
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What Did John Wesley Say About the Bible?
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A Clear and Concise Proof of the Divine Inspiration of the Holy
Scriptures.
"THERE are four grand and powerful arguments which strongly induce us to
believe that the Bible must be from God; they are, (a.) miracles, (b.)
prophecies, (c.) the goodness of the doctrine, and (d.) the moral
character of the writers.
"All the miracles flow from divine power; all the prophecies , from
divine understanding; the goodness of the doctrine , from divine
goodness; and the moral character of the writers , from divine holiness.
"Thus Christianity is built upon four grand pillars: the power,
understanding, goodness, and holiness of God. Divine power is the source
of all the miracles; divine understanding, of all the prophecies; divine
goodness, of the goodness of the doctrine; and divine holiness of the
moral character of the writers.
"I now propose short, clear, and strong arguments prove the divine
inspiration of the holy Scriptures.
"The Bible must be the invention either (1.) of good men or angels, (2.)
of bad men or devils, or (3.) of God.
It could not be the invention of good men or angels; they neither would
nor could make a book, and tell lies all the time they were writing it,
saying, "Thus says the Lord," when it was their own invention.
It could not be the invention of bad men or devils; for they would not
make a book which commands all duty, forbids all sin, and condemns their
souls to hell to all eternity.
Therefore, I draw this conclusion, that the Bible must be given by
divine inspiration.
-- (edited by Craig L. Adams from the tract by John Wesley).
-------------------------
Other Passages in Wesley's Writings on the Authority of Scripture:
"To candid, reasonable men, I am not afraid to lay open what have been
the inmost thoughts of my heart. I have thought, I am a creature of a
day, passing through life as an arrow through the air. I am a spirit
come from God, and returning to God: Just hovering over the great gulf;
till, a few moments hence, I am no more seen; I drop into an
unchangeable eternity! I want to know one thing, - the way to heaven;
how to land safe on that happy shore. God himself has condescended to
teach the way: For this very end he came from heaven. He hath written it
down in a book. O give me that book! At any price, give me the book of
God! I have it: Here is knowledge enough for me. Let me be homo unius
libri (" a man of one book").
"Here then I am, far from the busy ways of men. I sit down alone: Only
God is here. In his presence I open, I read his book; for this end, to
find the way to heaven. Is there a doubt concerning the meaning of what
I read? Does anything appear dark or intricate? I lift up my heart to
the Father of Lights: - "Lord, is it not thy word, 'If any man lack
wisdom, let him ask of God?' Thou 'givest liberally, and upbraidest
not.' Thou hast said; 'If any be willing to do thy will, he shall know.'
I am willing to do, let me know, thy will." I then search after and
consider parallel passages of Scripture, "comparing spiritual things
with spiritual." I meditate thereon with all the attention and
earnestness of which my mind is capable. If any doubt still remains, I
consult those who are experienced in the things of God; and then the
writings whereby, being dead, they yet speak. And what I thus learn,
that I teach."
--from the "Preface" to the Sermons .
--
"Concerning the Scriptures in general, it may be observed, the word of
the living God, which directed the first patriarchs also, was, in the
time of Moses, committed to writing. To this were added, in several
succeeding generations, the inspired writings of the other prophets.
Afterward, what the Son of God preached, and the Holy Ghost spake by the
apostles, the apostles and evangelists wrote. - This is what we now
style the Holy Scripture: this is that word of God which remaineth for
ever: of which, though heaven and earth pass away, one jot or tittle
shall not pass away. The Scripture therefore of the Old and New
Testament, is a most solid and precious system of Divine truth. Every
part thereof is worthy of God; and all together are one entire body,
wherein is no defect, no excess. It is the fountain of heavenly wisdom,
which they who are able to taste, prefer to all writings of men, however
wise, or learned, or holy.
"An exact knowledge of the truth was accompanied in the inspired writers
with an exactly regular series of arguments, a precise expression of
their meaning, and a genuine vigor of suitable affections. The chain of
argument in each book is briefly exhibited in the table prefixed to it,
which contains also the sum thereof, and may be of more use than
prefixing the argument to each chapter; the division of the New
Testament into chapters having been made in the dark ages, and very
incorrectly; often separating things that are closely joined, and
joining those that are entirely distinct from each other.
"In the language of the sacred writings, we may observe the utmost
depth, together with the utmost ease. All the elegancies of human
composures sink into nothing before it: God speaks not as man, but as
God. His thoughts are very deep: and thence his words are of
inexhaustible virtue. And the language of his messengers also is exact
in the highest degree: for the words which were given them accurately
answered the impression made upon their minds: and hence Luther says,
"Divinity is nothing but a grammar of the language of the Holy Ghost."
To understand this thoroughly, we should observe the emphasis which lies
on every word; the holy affections expressed thereby, and the tempers
shown by every writer. But how little are these, the latter especially,
regarded? Though they are wonderfully diffused through the whole New
Testament, and are in truth a continued commendation of him who acts, or
speaks, or writes."
-- from the "Preface" to Explanatory Notes on the New Testament.
--
"In matters of religion I regard no writings but the inspired. Tauler,
Behmen, and a whole army of Mystic authors, are with me nothing to St.
Paul. In every point I appeal "to the law and the testimony," and value
no authority but this.
"At a time when I was in great danger of not valuing this authority
enough, you made that important observation: "I see where your mistake
lies. You would have a philosophical religion; but there can be no such
thing. Religion is the most plain, simple thing in the world. It is
only, 'We love him, because he first loved us.' So far as you add
philosophy to religion, just so far you spoil it." This remark I have
never forgotten since; and I trust in God I never shall."
--from An Extract of a Letter to the Reverend Mr. Law Occasioned by Some
of his Late Writings .
--
"My ground is the Bible. Yea, I am a Bible-bigot. I follow it in all
things, both great and small."
--from the Journal: "June 5, 1766"
--
"But the Christian rule of right and wrong is the word of God, the
writings of the Old and New Testament; all that the Prophets and "holy
men of old" wrote "as they were moved by the Holy Ghost;" all that
Scripture which was given by inspiration of God, and which is indeed
profitable for doctrine, or teaching the whole will of God; for reproof
of what is contrary thereto; for correction of error; and for
instruction, or training us up, in righteousness. (2 Timothy 3:16.)
"This is a lantern unto a Christian's feet, and a light in all his
paths. This alone he receives as his rule of right or wrong, of whatever
is really good or evil. He esteems nothing good, but what is here
enjoined, either directly or by plain consequence, he accounts nothing
evil but what is here forbidden, either in terms, or by undeniable
inference. Whatever the Scripture neither forbids nor conjoins, either
directly or by plain consequence, he believes to be of an indifferent
nature; to be in itself neither good nor evil; this being the whole and
sole outward rule whereby his conscience is to be directed in all
things."
--from the Sermons: "The Witness of Our Own Spirit."
--
" All scripture is inspired of God --The Spirit of God not only once
inspired those who wrote it, but continually inspires, supernaturally
assists, those that read it with earnest prayer. Hence it is so
profitable for doctrine , for instruction of the ignorant, for the
reproof or conviction of them that are in error or sin, for the
correction or amendment of whatever is amiss, and for instructing or
training up the children of God in all righteousness ."
--from Explanatory Notes Upon the New Testament: "2 Timothy 3:16."
--
"I read Mr. Jenyns's admired tract, on the "Internal Evidence of the
Christian Religion." He is undoubtedly a fine writer; but whether he is
a Christian, Deist, or Atheist, I cannot tell. If he is a Christian, he
betrays his own cause by averring, that "all Scripture is not given by
inspiration of God; but the writers of it were sometimes left to
themselves, and consequently made some mistakes." Nay, if there be any
mistakes in the Bible, there may as well be a thousand. If there be one
falsehood in that book, it did not come from the God of truth."
--from the Journal: Wednesday July 24, 1776.
--
"This is the way to understand the things of God; Meditate thereon day
and night; So shall you attain the best knowledge; even to know the only
true God and Jesus Christ whom He hath sent. And this knowledge will
lead you, to love Him, because he hath first loved us: yea, to love the
Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all
your mind, and with all your strength. Will there not then be all that
mind in you, which was also in Christ Jesus? And in consequence of this,
while you joyfully experience all the holy tempers described in this
book, you will likewise be outwardly holy as He that hath called you is
holy, in all manner of conversation.
"If you desire to read the scripture in such a manner as may most
effectually answer this end, would it not be advisable,
To set apart a little time, if you can, every morning and evening for
that purpose?
"At each time if you have leisure, to read a chapter out of the Old, and
one out of the New Testament: is you cannot do this, to take a single
chapter, or a part of one?
"To read this with a single eye, to know the whole will of God, and a
fixt resolution to do it? In order to know his will, you should,
Have a constant eye to the analogy of faith; the connection and harmony
there is between those grand, fundamental doctrines, Original Sin,
Justification by Faith, the New Birth, Inward and Outward Holiness.
Serious and earnest prayer should be constantly used, before we consult
the oracles of God, seeing "scripture can only be understood thro' the
same Spirit whereby "it was given." Our reading should likewise be
closed with prayer, that what we read may be written on our hearts.
It might also be of use, if while we read, we were frequently to pause,
and examine ourselves by what we read, both with regard to our hearts,
and lives. This would furnish us with matter of praise, where we found
God had enabled us to conform to his blessed will, and matter of
humiliation and prayer, where we were conscious of having fallen short.
And whatever light you then receive, should be used to the uttermost,
and that immediately. Let there be no delay. Whatever you resolve, begin
to execute the first moment you can. So shall you find this word to be
indeed the power of God unto present and eternal salvation."
- -from the "Preface" to Explanatory Notes Upon the Old Testament.
------
[These quotations were compiled from Wesley's Works by Craig L. Adams
with the help of: Burtner, Robert W. & Chiles, Robert E., John Wesley's
Theology: A Collection from His Works, Abingdon: Nashville 1954, 1982;
and, The Master Christian Library (Version 6), Ages Software; and other
sources.]
-------------------------
Comments by theologian Thomas Oden in the book *John Wesley's Scriptural
Christianity: A Plain Exposition of his teachings on Christian doctrine*
(Zondervan, Grand Rapids 1994):
"The Scriptures are a complete rule of faith and practice; and they are
clear in all necessary points. And yet their clearness does not prove
that they need not be explained; nor their completeness, that they need
not be enforced. The esteeming the writings of the first three
centuries, not equally with, but next to, the Scriptures, never carried
any man yet into dangerous errors, nor probably ever will"
-- page 67.
"The historical experience of the Church though fallible, is the better
judge overall of Scripture's meaning than later interpreters."
-- page 67.
--
Craig L. Adams
adamsfmmac@earthlink.net
Weidman United Methodist Church
<http://www.methodist.net/weidman> or <http://www.gbgm-umc.org/weidman> |
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