by Bishop Reuben P. Job

“John Wesley proclaimed the centrality of scripture for doctrine and for holy living. It was the basic authority for the Christian life and where its truths appeared clear there was no alternative but obedience if one desired to be a faithful Christian.

“Randy Maddox points out that Wesley approached scripture with his own unique exegetical principles. Wesley believed that the text must be interpreted according to the  analogy of faith. According to Maddox, this referred to a connected chain of scripture truths. Four of these scripture truths were the corruption of sin, justification by faith, the new birth, and present inward and outward holiness [Randy L. Maddox, Responsible Grace: John Wesley¹s Practical Theology Kingswood Books, Nashville 1994 p. 38]. In other words, scripture truth itself became the interpreting principle. In Wesley¹s view the four truths identified above were clearly and substantially identified as major themes in the scripture and in life experience.

“John Wesley was a competent Biblical scholar , reading the Bible in the original languages, and was well trained at Oxford as a priest in the Church of England. However, he never placed himself above the scripture. He was fearless in his scholarship yet utterly obedient to the scripture's message for his ministry and for all of life.

“Wesley knew that the transformed life was not accidental. He was convinced that one does not drift into inward or outward holiness. God’s grace required response and that response included a careful reading, reflection upon, and incorporation of and obedience to scripture in everyday living. God’s grace was always available and scripture was one way for Christians to appropriate that grace into daily life.

“Do you wish to live a life of inward and outward holiness? Do you desire to live with God in the midst of this broken world? Do you want the assurance and comfort of sins forgiven and guilt removed? Do you desire some guiding principles that can bring direction to your personal and corporate decision making? If the answer is yes to any of these questions, you will want to read and reflect upon the scriptures. For scripture remains the primary source of revelation and authority for those who are descendants of Wesley.”

— from: A Wesleyan Spiritual Reader  Abingdon, Nashville 1997. pp. 83, 84.