Abstract

The University of ManchesterIsaac HopperDegree of Doctor of Philosophy‘Christ Alone for Salvation’: The Role of Christ and His Work in John Wesley’s Theology2017This thesis is a study of the relationship between John Wesley’s Christology and his broader theology. No specific effort has yet been made to assess whether or not a meaningful change to Wesley’s Christology ever occurred, or to what extent Wesley’s Christology shaped his broader theology. The purpose of this study is to fill this gap by first demonstrating that a change to Wesley’s Christology did occur and describing the implications of this shift for his broader theology and, second, by evaluating to what degree Wesley’s broader theology arose out of, or was shaped by, his Christology. Chapter one describes Wesley’s inherited theology, which he received from his family and faith tradition, in order to provide a foundation from which to examine changes to his Christology. Chapter two then demonstrates that a change to Wesley’s Christology did occur around his 1738 ‘evangelical conversion’, and describes the implications of this shift for Wesley’s evangelical theology.John Wesley identified the core doctrines of the early Methodists as repentance, faith, and holiness. Following Wesley’s lead, this study examines three correlating areas of focus as representative of these core Methodist doctrines, in order to describe the relationship between these doctrines and Wesley’s Christology. Chapter three, ‘Christ and Humanity’ examines Wesley’s doctrine of humanity, including his understanding of the image of God, original sin, and the nature of salvation as restoration of the divine image. This chapter lays out Wesley’s understanding of the need for human repentance. Chapter four, ‘Christ Working for Us’ examines those doctrines most closely tied to justification as an orienting concern. This includes Wesley’s understanding of grace, the stages of faith, repentance itself, works meet for repentance, Christ’s imputed righteousness, and adoption. Finally, chapter five, ‘Christ Working in Us’ examines those doctrines most closely linked to sanctification as an orienting concern. This includes the doctrine of the new birth, freedom from sin, assurance, and Christian perfection.By identifying the changes that occurred to Wesley’s Christology and evaluating the relationship between his Christology and other core doctrines, this thesis will contribute to the growing body of research into the theological foundations of Methodism and the life and thought of the Rev. John Wesley.