The Wesley Brothers and Universalism - Kalen Fristad

About this sermon

Kalen Fristad talks about the beliefs of John and Charles Wesley. Kalen Fristad writes in a short article entitled "John Wesley and Universalism": So, how was Wesley able to affirm the teaching of universalism while at the same time promoting Arminianism? The answer to that question becomes clear in his sermon entitled “The General Spread of the Gospel”, which Wesley preached on April 22, 1783. In that sermon, he reinforces the teaching of universalism in stating, “at that time will be accomplished all those glorious promises made to the Christian Church, which will not then be confined to this or that nation but will include all the inhabitants of the earth”. Beyond that, he also clearly lays out how Arminianism with its emphasis on free will can, indeed, be compatible with the teaching of universal salvation. The key here is that God leads everyone, in an act of their free will, to make the decision to accept God into their lives, to accept salvation. Wesley forcefully makes that point when he states to the listeners that when they were converted, God did not take away their understanding but it was enlightened and strengthened; God did not destroy their affections but they were made more vigorous than before; God did not take away their liberty, their power of choosing between good and evil; God did not force them but because of being assisted by God’s grace they chose the better way. “Now in the same manner as God has converted so many to himself without destroying their liberty, he can undoubtedly convert whole nations, or the whole world. And it is as easy to him to convert a world as one individual soul.” -- Please consider supporting the Love Unrelenting YouTube channel through Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=87483055