Faith On Fire: Authority and Inspiration in the Wesleyan Tradition

Class Title: “Scripture Alone: Authority and Inspiration in the Wesleyan Tradition”

Class Objective:

To explore and defend the authority, inspiration, and interpretation of Scripture within the Wesleyan tradition, and to help participants articulate a confident, reasoned, and faithful view of the Bible.

I. Introduction

Review:

General Revelation: How God reveals His existence in creation. Romans 1:20

Romans 1:20 NRSV

Ever since the creation of the world his eternal power and divine nature, invisible though they are, have been understood and seen through the things he has made. So they are without excuse;

Special Revelation: How God reveals himself through the Bible for humanity’s salvation. Hebrews 1:1-2

Hebrews 1:1–2 NRSV

Long ago God spoke to our ancestors in many and various ways by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by a Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom he also created the worlds.

Apologetics and Evangelism: Apologetics serves as a bridge to evangelism, providing reasons for faith that lead to sharing the Gospel.

Role of the Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit empowers believers to witness and convicts hearts. Acts 1:8, John 16:8

Acts 1:8 NRSV

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

John 16:8 NRSV

And when he comes, he will prove the world wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment:

Icebreaker: “What role has the Bible played in your life?”

Why this matters in apologetics:

Understanding the authority and inspiration of Scripture equips believers to defend their faith confidently. As Kevin Watson notes, "From the earliest days of the faith, believers have understood that knowing who the true God is and what this God has done for our salvation guides us more fully into the love of God."

Scripture's Challenges: In contemporary culture, Scripture faces skepticism and critique. A clear understanding of its authority is foundational for faith and witness.

Apologetic Agents in the Bible:

Individual Person: Personal testimony and transformation (John 9:25).

The Church: Corporate witness through community and love (Acts 2:42-47).

The Holy Spirit: Conviction and guidance into truth (John 16:13).

Image of God: Humanity, created in God's image, reflects His essence and is called to steward creation (Genesis 1:26-28). This view contrasts with ancient Near Eastern perspectives where humans were mere servants of the gods.

Ecclesiastes 1:2–9 (NRSV): This passage highlights the futility of life without God, emphasizing the need for divine revelation to find true meaning.

Ecclesiastes 1:2–9 NRSV

Vanity of vanities, says the Teacher, vanity of vanities! All is vanity. What do people gain from all the toil at which they toil under the sun? A generation goes, and a generation comes, but the earth remains forever. The sun rises and the sun goes down, and hurries to the place where it rises. The wind blows to the south, and goes around to the north; round and round goes the wind, and on its circuits the wind returns. All streams run to the sea, but the sea is not full; to the place where the streams flow, there they continue to flow. All things are wearisome; more than one can express; the eye is not satisfied with seeing, or the ear filled with hearing. What has been is what will be, and what has been done is what will be done; there is nothing new under the sun.

The author concludes that all life is meaningless in a world without God.

Holy Spirit as Apologist:

The Holy Spirit (as reviewed in last session) is the primary evangelist and persuader.

Spiritual discernment and understanding. (Ephesians 1:15–21 “I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, and for this reason I do not cease to give thanks for you as I remember you in my prayers. I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation as you come to know him, so that, with the eyes of your heart enlightened, you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance among the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power for us who believe, according to the working of his great power. God put this power to work in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the age to come.”

1 Corinthians 10–16 “I do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, that our ancestors were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea, and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, and all ate the same spiritual food, and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank from the spiritual rock that followed them, and the rock was Christ. Nevertheless, God was not pleased with most of them, and they were struck down in the wilderness. Now these things occurred as examples for us, so that we might not desire evil as they did. Do not become idolaters as some of them did; as it is written, “The people sat down to eat and drink, and they rose up to play.” We must not indulge in sexual immorality as some of them did, and twenty-three thousand fell in a single day. We must not put Christ to the test, as some of them did, and were destroyed by serpents. And do not complain as some of them did, and were destroyed by the destroyer. These things happened to them to serve as an…”

The Role of the Holy Spirit is to overcomes humanities innate resistance to gospel truth, which clouds cognition. Humanity’s opposition to the truth clouds cognition and makes us spiritually blind. (See John 9)

Reveals a direct correlation between the read Word and Holy Spirit. It was not because of man’s opinion the people received the Gospel at Thessalonica but because of the power of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit points to Jesus and testifies to the presence of God.

John 3:8 “The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.””

The actual work of the Holy Spirit is unperceived until the manifestation of Divine Transformation become evident through the the working fruit of the believer. As he works in and through the faithful He becomes visible.

Galatians 5:16 NRSV

Live by the Spirit, I say, and do not gratify the desires of the flesh.

Galatians 5:25 NRSV

If we live by the Spirit, let us also be guided by the Spirit.

Galatians 5:22–23 NRSV

By contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against such things.

II. The Wesleyan View of Scripture

A. Authority of Scripture: John Wesley emphasized Scripture as the primary rule of faith and practice. He stated, "I want to know one thing—the way to heaven... God himself has condescended to teach the way... in the Bible."

B. Scripture in the Wesleyan Quadrilateral: The Quadrilateral consists of Scripture, Tradition, Reason, and Experience, with Scripture as the final authority. It's the lens through which the other elements are interpreted.

C. Inspiration and Inerrancy: Wesley affirmed the full divine inspiration of Scripture. While he didn't use the term "inerrancy," he believed in the trustworthiness of Scripture in all matters related to salvation.

III. Defending the Authority of Scripture (30 minutes)

Internal Evidence:

Unity of Scripture: Despite being written over centuries by various authors, the Bible presents a cohesive narrative centered on God's redemptive plan.

Fulfilled Prophecy: Prophecies in the Old Testament, such as Isaiah 53, find fulfillment in the New Testament accounts of Jesus' life and death.

Transformational Power: Wesley's Aldersgate experience, where he felt his heart "strangely warmed," exemplifies Scripture's power to transform lives.

B. External Evidence

Historical Reliability: Manuscript evidence, archaeological findings, and cultural consistency support the Bible's historical credibility.

Eyewitness Accounts: The Gospels and epistles contain firsthand testimonies of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection.

C. Philosophical and Theological Coherence

Christianity provides coherent answers to life's fundamental questions about origin, meaning, morality, and destiny, aligning with human experience and reason.

Three Questions that science and religion must deal with which only religion can answer:

Why is there something rather than nothing?

How did life come from non-life?

Why are we here?

IV. Wesleyan Interpretation of Scripture (15 minutes)

A. Plain Reading and Holiness

Wesley emphasized the plain meaning of the text in its context. Wesley advocated for interpreting Scripture in its plain sense, emphasizing its role in leading believers toward holiness and love.

This is a defense against gnosticism and other heresies.

B. Means of Grace

Scripture is not just information — it is a means of grace (especially in reading, hearing, meditating, preaching). Scripture serves as a means of grace, instrumental in spiritual growth through reading, hearing, meditation, and preaching.

C. The Rule of Love

Wesley: “All Scripture is to be read through the lens of the love of God and neighbor.” Wesley taught that all Scripture should be read through the lens of love for God and neighbor, guiding ethical and theological understanding.

V. Challenges and Responses (15 minutes)

Common Objections:

“The Bible is full of contradictions.”

“It’s culturally outdated or oppressive.”

“It’s been changed over time.”

Wesleyan Responses:

Use of Reason and Tradition: Employing reason and historical context to address apparent contradictions and cultural critiques.

Engagement with Culture: Wesley's approach combined fidelity to Scripture with thoughtful engagement with contemporary issues.

Manuscript Evidence: The meticulous transmission of biblical texts over centuries supports their reliability.

“But it is fitting that we should consider, First, what the general tenor of Scripture is concerning the way to salvation...”

VI. Practical Application and Witness (10 minutes)

Engaging with Skeptics and Seekers:

Share personal testimonies of Scripture's impact.

Highlight the Bible's transformative power in individuals and communities.

Encouraging Immersion in Scripture:

Promote regular reading and study of the Bible.

Facilitate small groups or Bible studies focused on application and discussion.

Approach to Apologetics: Emphasize that the manner of presenting arguments (with humility and love) is as crucial as the content itself.

What to argue is only eclipsed by “how to argue”. Definition: Subversive Methodology

Subversive methodology refers to an approach—often in scholarship, activism, literature, theology, or the arts—that seeks to challenge, undermine, or overturn established systems, norms, or power structures. It typically operates by:

Questioning dominant narratives or ideologies

Elevating marginalized voices or perspectives

Using irony, critique, or alternative frameworks to expose contradictions or injustices

Disrupting conventional methods or modes of thinking

Examples:

Liberation theology as a subversive theological methodology challenges traditional power structures by interpreting Scripture through the lens of the poor and oppressed.

Deconstruction in philosophy and literary theory subverts traditional meanings and binaries in texts.

Counterpart: Affirmative Methodology

The counterpart to subversive methodology could be called an affirmative methodology (also sometimes called traditional, constructive, or normative methodology), depending on the context.

Definition: Affirmative Methodology An affirmative methodology aims to uphold, reinforce, or build upon existing systems, beliefs, or traditions. It often:

Preserves established authority, doctrines, or cultural frameworks

Seeks harmony and continuity within a system

Engages in systematic construction rather than deconstruction

Works within accepted paradigms to explain, defend, or apply them

Examples:

Classical systematic theology affirms core doctrines like the Trinity or atonement in ways consistent with historical church teachings.

Traditional scientific methods affirm known paradigms through empirical research and reproducibility.

Summary:

✅ Affirmative Methodology in the Bible

This is when Scripture upholds, affirms, or reinforces established truths, divine order, or covenantal faithfulness.

Examples:

The Ten Commandments (Exodus 20)

Affirms God’s moral law and order for human flourishing.

Upholds covenantal relationship between God and His people.

Paul’s Letters (e.g., Romans 5–8)

Affirm core theological doctrines like justification by faith, grace, and sanctification.

Builds systematically on existing Old Testament revelation.

Jesus affirms Scripture (Matthew 5:17):

“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.”

Jesus affirms the authority and continuity of God’s Word.

🔄 Subversive Methodology in the Bible

This is when Scripture challenges societal norms, human power structures, or religious distortions.

Examples:

Jesus Cleansing the Temple (Matthew 21:12–13)

Subverts the religious-commercial system operating in the Temple.

“My house shall be called a house of prayer, but you make it a den of robbers.”

The Beatitudes (Matthew 5:1–12)

Subvert worldly values (e.g., power, wealth, dominance) by elevating the poor in spirit, the meek, and those who mourn.

A kingdom ethic that reverses expectations.

Mary’s Magnificat (Luke 1:46–55)

A subversive hymn of praise that speaks of God casting down the mighty and lifting up the humble.

“He has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate.” (v. 52)

The Cross Itself (1 Corinthians 1:18–25)

Paul calls the message of the cross "foolishness" to the world’s wisdom—a radical subversion of power, glory, and victory.

“God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong.” (v. 27)

There are several types of rhetorical arguments used to persuade or inform an audience. These are typically classified by the appeals they use or the structure of their reasoning. Here are the most common types:

I. Classical Rhetorical Appeals (Aristotle’s Modes of Persuasion):

Ethos (Appeal to Credibility):

Convincing the audience of the speaker’s or source’s credibility and moral character.

Example: “As a doctor with 30 years of experience, I assure you this treatment works.”

Pathos (Appeal to Emotion):

Persuading by appealing to the audience’s emotions (fear, hope, love, anger, etc.).

Example: “Think of the children who go to bed hungry every night…”

Logos (Appeal to Logic):

Using logical reasoning, facts, statistics, and evidence.

Example: “Studies show that seat belts reduce fatal injuries by 45%.”

II. Common Types of Logical (Logos-Based) Arguments:

Deductive Argument:

General principle → Specific conclusion.

Example: “All humans are mortal. Socrates is human. Therefore, Socrates is mortal.”

Inductive Argument:

Specific observations → General conclusion.

Example: “Every swan I’ve seen is white. Therefore, all swans are probably white.”

Analogical Argument:

Comparing two similar things to draw a conclusion.

Example: “Just as a car needs fuel, our bodies need water to function properly.”

Causal Argument (Cause and Effect):

Arguing that one thing causes another.

Example: “Smoking increases the risk of lung cancer.”

Argument from Authority:

Using a credible source or expert to support a claim.

Example: “According to the CDC, vaccines are safe and effective.”

III. Other Rhetorical Strategies:

Narrative Argument:

Using storytelling to make a point or persuade

Example: Sharing a personal story of transformation due to faith.

Refutative Argument:

Addressing and refuting opposing viewpoints.

Example: “Some say the Bible contradicts itself, but these so-called contradictions are misunderstandings of context.”

Pragmatic Argument:

Arguing based on practical consequences.

Example: “If we invest in education now, we’ll reduce poverty in the future.”

Moral Argument:

Arguing from a sense of right or wrong.

Example: “It’s our moral duty to care for the poor and the oppressed.”

The Bible answers objections in two ways:

Explanation:

Reframing:

VII. Resources and Further Study

Suggested Readings:

The Scripture Way of Salvation – John Wesley

Canon, Covenant and Christology – William J. Abraham

The Transforming Power of Scripture – Kevin Watson

Apologetics Resources:

Evidence That Demands a Verdict – Josh McDowell

Can We Trust the Gospels? – Peter J. Williams

How We Got the Bible – Timothy Paul Jones

1. Opening Line of the Sermon:

“If any doctrines within the whole compass of Christianity may be properly termed fundamental, they are doubtless these two,—the doctrine of justification, and that of the new birth: the former relating to that great work which God does for us, in forgiving our sins; the latter, to the great work which God does in us, in renewing our fallen nature. In the order of time, neither of these is before the other: in the moment we are justified by the grace of God through the redemption that is in Jesus, we are also ‘born of the Spirit;’ but in order of thinking, as it is termed, justification precedes the new birth.”

Then he says: “But it is fitting that we should consider, First, what the general tenor of Scripture is concerning the way to salvation...”

Here Wesley shows that his whole understanding of salvation is rooted in the “general tenor of Scripture.”

2. On Seeking Truth through Scripture:

“We are to receive nothing as the truth of God which is not found in, or agreeable to, the written word of God.”

This underscores Wesley’s belief in the primacy of Scripture as the authoritative source for doctrine, including the way of salvation.

3. Scripture as the Guide for Experience:

“Bring all your experiences to the law and to the testimony: try every spirit and every doctrine by that standard.”

Here, Wesley points to Isaiah 8:20 (“To the law and to the testimony...”) to reinforce that Scripture is the test of truth, even for spiritual experiences.

While The Scripture Way of Salvation doesn't dwell on Scripture in isolation, Wesley's entire method is Scripture-saturated. His “quadrilateral” (Scripture, tradition, reason, and experience—with Scripture as primary) is reflected in how he constructs his theology in this sermon.

The story of the man running into town with a lantern in broad daylight, proclaiming the search for God, appears in Nietzsche's The Gay Science (German: Die fröhliche Wissenschaft), Section 125, titled "The Madman."

A madman lights a lantern in the morning and runs into the marketplace crying, “I seek God! I seek God!”

The onlookers mock him, saying things like: "Has he got lost? Did he lose his way like a child?"

The madman proclaims:

“God is dead. God remains dead. And we have killed him.”

He accuses modern humanity of murdering God through its abandonment of faith and metaphysical foundations, saying:

“Who gave us the sponge to wipe away the entire horizon?”

This parable is a central expression of Nietzsche's critique of the Enlightenment, secularism, and the loss of ultimate meaning, highlighting the existential crisis that follows when belief in God collapses.