Journal: Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society
Volume: JETS 05:1 (Winter 1962)
Article: John Wesley’s Concept Of Sin
Author: Leo G. Cox

BETS 5:1 (Winter 1962) p. 18

John Wesley’s Concept Of Sin

Leo G. Cox

A study of John Wesley’s thought is always in order. W. E. Lecky in his history of England; wrote that Wesley “has had a wider constructive influence in the sphere of practical religion than any other man who has appeared since the 16th century.”1 He joined the succession of the Reformers when he became convinced of Luther’s doctrine of justification by faith alone. To Wesley in 1738, at the age of 35, this doctrine of justification was a new doctrine. He remained true to Luther’s doctrine of justification by faith during the entirety of his life.

While Wesley learned of the doctrine of justification from the Reformers, his doctrine of Christian perfection came to him through the tradition of the Anglican church. He realized as much as anyone else the aroused opposition to his teaching of perfection. He wrote in his sermon on “Christian Perfection” the following words; “There is scarce any expression in holy writ which has given more offence than this. The word perfect is what many cannot bear. The very sound of it is an abomination to them.” In his defense of this doctrine of Christian perfection, Wesley did not diminish nor alter his views concerning the doctrine of justification by faith.2

It is very obvious that Wesley’s doctrine of Christian perfection would make it necessary for him to make very clear what was his doctrine of sin. He felt it very necessary to draw clear lines of distinction in his definitions. These distinctions especially show up in his discussion of the subject of sin. It is absolutely impossible to get any true concept of Wesley’s doctrine of holiness without coming to a clear understanding of what he taught concerning sin. In this paper it is my purpose to clarify as much as possible, Wesley’s concept of sin. For the purpose of this discussion, the following topics will be followed:

1. Original Sin or Inherited Depravity
2. The Fallen State of Present Man
3. The Act of Sin in the Unbeliever
4. The State of Sin in the Believer
5. The “Sins” of the Sanctified

1. Original Sin and Inherited Depravity

As far as can be determined, Wesley always painted a dark picture of sin. There is no evidence that he had to alter his view when he came to believe in the doctrine of justification by faith alone. His opinions concerning the sinfulness of man were well established by the time he began his evangelical revival.

For Wesley the Scriptures were always the final authority.3 He believed that man was placed in the garden o...