Over the past year there’s been much discussion about how we should relate to and view Christians from previous generations, especially those who tend to hold hero status amongst us. This has been provoked by the #BlackLivesMatter movement and the tearing down of statues erected to historical figures often with a reputation for philanthropy but… Continue reading A man of their time?
Category: Church History
Wesley and the slave trade (5) conclusions
In summary, we may conclude that our investigation supports our preliminary thesis. First, that Wesley’s hermeneutic does not fit the template of the so-called Wesleyan Quadrilateral and thus secondly, that his argument does not support a Redemptive Movement Hermeneutic. Before we develop our conclusions further, we need to spell out some limitations which constrain what… Continue reading Wesley and the slave trade (5) conclusions
Wesley and the slave trade (4) What does Wesley actually do with Scripture?
In the previous section, we noted three assertions that might be made about Wesley’s use of Scripture in support of a redemptive-movement position. First, that Wesley would be willing to ignore texts if they didn’t fit his overall scheme. Secondly, that he could change his view of Scripture based on experience. Thirdly, that he was… Continue reading Wesley and the slave trade (4) What does Wesley actually do with Scripture?
Wesley and the slave trade (3) Why does Wesley argue from outside of Scripture?
3.1 The Quadrilateral Position Marquadt’s claim that Wesley bases his arguments outside Scripture seems to come from his statement: “I would now inquire, whether these things can be defended, on the principles of even heathen honesty; whether they can be reconciled (setting the Bible out of the question) with any degree of either justice or… Continue reading Wesley and the slave trade (3) Why does Wesley argue from outside of Scripture?
Wesley and the Slave Trade (2) Wesley’s argument against Slavery
As we have already seen, Wesley’s thoughts on the Slave Trade are essentially a close re-working of a tract by the Quaker, Anthony Benezet. Wesley records in his Journal how he first came to read Benezet’s tract on Wednesday 12th February 1772.
John Wesley and the Slave Trade (1) Introduction
On the 2nd February 1807, the House of Commons voted in favour of the abolition of the slave trade.[1] The celebration of the 200th anniversary of this event generated substantial interest in the subject of slavery, the history of abolition and the particular individuals involved, especially William Wilberforce. Biographies were written, museum displays opened and… Continue reading John Wesley and the Slave Trade (1) Introduction
