A Theology of Love
March 04, 2023
JOHN WESLEY MOMENTS
DAVE HANSON
John Wesley was an evangelist, not a systematic theologian. However, he did stress several basic doctrines: salvation by grace, not by good works; free will, not predestination; sanctification, being made perfect in love in this life; and the power of the Holy Spirit. His passion was to spread scriptural holiness throughout the land. Wesleyan theology stresses personal and social holiness, purity of life.
Some of us tend to come down hard on those who do not live pure lives. John Wesley urged his followers in the Methodist Movement to work for holiness, but his main emphasis was love. He urged us to love God with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength and to love others as Christ loved us.
One of my favorite statements is, “Holiness without love is not holiness.”
The Rev. Dave Hanson is a retired pastor and John Wesley scholar.
