Calvin vs. Wesley

Congregations are made up of people with all sorts of theologies. Pastor Mike

Slaughter even says that these can stand in the way of the church’s mission of

social and personal holiness. But most people do not adopt a theology on purpose,

mostly they merely breathe in the prevailing cultural air. The theology "de jour"

seems to be Calvinist, with its emphasis on “the elect” and “other worldly

salvation.”  In fact, there is so much Calvinism saturating the culture, that some

do not even know there is an alternative way of thinking about their faith. They

don’t know where to go to find a viable option; they don’t even know the key words

to search Google. So people are left thinking like Calvinists but living with a

desire to change the world, offering grace and hope to hurting people in mission and

ministry—loving the least, the last, and the lost. In other words, they are living

like Wesleyans. This book shows what Calvinist and Wesleyans actually believe about

human responsibility, salvation, the universality of God’s grace, holy living

through service, and the benefits of small group accountability--and how that

connects to how people can live. Calvinists and Wesleyans are different, and by

knowing the difference, people will not only see the other benefits of Wesleyan

theology but will be inspired to learn more. By knowing who they are as faithful

people of God, they will be motivated to reach out in mission with renewed vigor.

And they won’t be obstacles to grace and holiness, but they can be better disciples

and advocates for Christ through service in this world.