From Faith to Faith: John Wesley’s Covenant Theology and the Way of Salvation

The idea that covenant theology is profoundly influential in John Wesley’s theological thought seems dissonant. What would an evangelical Arminian have to do with a theological framework that historically belongs to a reformed understanding of salvation? How could this possibly square with his ongoing conflicts with the Calvinism of his day? On the basis of compelling evidence from his sermons and correspondence, this investigation dares to explore the idea that covenant theology is part of the infrastructure of Wesley’s thought. The discovery of its role in shaping his narrative of the way of salvation is surprising and intriguing. Wesley is not only informed of and fluent in covenant theology, but also thoroughly committed to it. ‘From Faith to Faith’ demonstrates that, with theological precision and discernment, Wesley appropriates covenant theology in a way consistent with both its primary theological features and his Arminianism. His distinctive view of ‘the gradual process of the work of God in the soul’ supplies valuable grist for further reflection, especially by those charged with the care of souls in the twenty-first century.