Themes
Phrases throughout Wesley’s notes are highlighted when they touch one of the recurring concerns of his theology. The 21 themes below are the same set used to index the larger Wesley Corpus.
Prevenient Grace
God's grace that precedes and enables the first stirrings toward faith; universal grace given to all humanity
prevenientpreventing gracegrace that goes beforenatural consciencelight given to every man
Justifying Grace
Pardon of sins and acceptance by God through faith; the moment of conversion
justificationpardonforgivenessfaith aloneimputed righteousnessnew birth
Sanctifying Grace
The ongoing work of grace that transforms believers toward holiness
sanctificationholinessgrowth in gracetransformedrenewedholy living
Christian Perfection
Being made perfect in love in this life; entire sanctification
perfect lovechristian perfectionentire sanctificationpure loveperfectedsin no more dominion
Free Will
Human agency in responding to or rejecting God's grace; rejection of unconditional predestination
free willlibertychoiceresist gracepredestination rejectedsynergism
Means of Grace
Instituted and prudential means through which grace is conveyed
means of graceordinancesprayerscripturelord's supperfastingchristian conferenceclass meeting
Works of Mercy
Acts of compassion and justice toward those in need
works of mercyfeed the hungryclothe the nakedvisit the sickvisit the prisonerrelieve the pooracts of mercydoing good to all
Works of Piety
Personal devotional practices that nurture the soul
works of pietysearching the scripturesprivate prayerpublic prayerfastingdevotionmeans he hath ordained
Assurance
The inner witness of the Spirit confirming one's salvation
assurancewitness of the spiritknow that we are childreninward witnesstestimony
Catholic Spirit
Unity in essentials while allowing diversity in opinions and modes of worship
catholic spiritunityopinionsmodes of worshipessentialslove united
Religious Experience
The felt experience of God's grace; heart religion vs. mere formalism
experience of godheart strangely warmedreligion of the heartexperimental religionfelt his presenceinward religionheart religion
Universal Redemption
Christ died for all people, not just the elect
universal redemptiondied for allfor all mankindwhosoeverunlimited atonementsaviour of allsins of the whole worldtasted death for every man
Reign of God
The kingdom of God present and coming; God's rule over all creation and in human hearts
kingdom of godkingdom of heaventhy kingdom comereign of godgod reignethdominion of godkingdom within
Primitive Christianity
Return to the faith and practice of the early church; apostolic Christianity
primitiveearly churchapostolicfirst christiansancientoriginal christianityacts of the apostles
Communion
The Lord's Supper as a means of grace; eucharistic theology and practice
communionlord's suppereucharistsacramentbread and winebody and bloodtable of the lord
Repentance
Turning from sin toward God; conviction of sin and amendment of life
repentancerepentconvictionturnamendmentsorrow for sincontritionflee from the wrath
Trinity
The triune nature of God as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit
trinitytriunefather son and holy ghostthree personsgodheadthree-one
Christology
The person and work of Jesus Christ; incarnation, atonement, resurrection
son of godsaviour of the worldredeemeratonementincarnationresurrectionlamb of godmediatorblood of christmerits of christdeath of christpropitiation
Pneumatology
The person and work of the Holy Spirit; gifts, fruits, and indwelling of the Spirit
holy ghostholy spiritspirit of godspirit of christfruits of the spiritgifts of the spiritindwellingpentecost