The Theology of Sanctification and Resignation in Charles Wesley's Hymns (Routledge Methodist Studies Series)

Sanctification is a central theme in the theology of both John and Charles Wesley. However, while John’s theology of sanctification has received much scholarly attention, significantly less has been paid to Charles’ views on the subject. This book redresses this imbalance by using Charles’ many poetic texts as a window into his rich theological thought on sanctification, particularly uncovering the role of resignation in the development of his views on this key doctrine. In this analysis of Charles’ theology of sanctification, the centrality he accorded to resignation is uncovered to show a positive attribute involving acts of intention, desire and offering to God. The book begins by putting Charles’ position in the context of contemporary theology, and then shows how he differed in attitude from his brother John. It then discusses in depth how his hymns use the concept of resignation, both in relation to Jesus Christ and the believer. It concludes this analysis by identifying the ways in which Charles understood the relationship between resignation and sanctification; namely, that resignation is a lens through which Charles views holiness. The final chapter considers the implications of these conclusions for a twenty-first century theological and spiritual context, and asks whether resignation is still a concept which can be used today. This book breaks new ground in the understanding of Charles Wesley’s personal theology. As such, it will be of significant interest to scholars of Methodism and the Wesleys as well as those working in theology, spirituality, and the history of religion. Cover Half Title Series Title Copyright Dedication Contents Acknowledgements Introductory notes Short titles and abbreviations Poetic works by Charles and John Wesley Prose works by Charles and John Wesley ‘I know thy works.’ – [Rev.] ii. 2 Introduction: Contexts for the study of resignation Hymn texts and authorship Structure of the book Part I Theological, Historical, and Spiritual Contexts 1 Charles Wesley and sanctification Introduction 1 Theological approaches in Charles Wesley’s concept of sanctification i Experiential theology ii Eschatological theology iii Moral theology iv Liberation theology 2 Distinctive emphases in Charles Wesley’s concept of sanctification i Gradual sanctification ii Sanctification before death or at the point of death? iii Sanctification and sin iv Sanctification and suffering v Sanctification and the language of mysticism Conclusion 2 Resignation in Charles Wesley: Historical and Spiritual Context 1 Charles Wesley’s understanding of resignation 2 Eighteenth-century context i The Book of Common Prayer (1662) ii Richard Allestree, The Whole Duty of Man (1658) iii Lewis Bayly, The Practice of Piety (1611) 3 Spiritual literary influences on Charles Wesley i Thomas à Kempis, The Imitation of Christ (ca. 1418–27) ii Henry Scougal, The Life of God in the Soul of Man (ca. 1677) iii Jeremy Taylor, Holy Living and Holy Dying (1650 and 1651) iv William Law, A Serious Call to a Devout and Holy Life (1729) v John Worthington, The Great Duty of Self-Resignation to the Divine Will (1675) 4 Resignation in John and Charles Wesley i Resignation in John Wesley’s writings ii Resignation in Charles Wesley’s writings Conclusion Excursus: ‘The Resignation’ Part II Analysis of resignation texts 3 The resignation of Jesus Introduction 1 Jesus’ resignation: his death on the cross 2 Key theological themes i Ransom ii For all, for me, for us iii Participation of the believer iv The exchange formula v Sanctification vi God’s resignation in Jesus Conclusion 4 The Resignation of the Believer Introduction 1 Resignation of the other: resigning earthly things and people i Resigning earthly things ii Resigning people 2 Resignation of the will and heart; resignation to God’s will i Will and nature ii Resignation of the will to God’s will iii The will and the heart 3 Resignation of the self: resigning the whole being, resigning life, resigning the soul i Resigning all, resigning the whole being to God ii Resigning life, resigning the soul 4 Resignation of the self: in death i Resignation of the flesh ii Resignation of breath, spirit, and soul Excursus: Funeral hymn on the Death of Mrs. Elizabeth Blackwell, 27 March 1772 Introduction Part III Resignation and Sanctification Introduction 5 Resignation: An Attitude of Being and Foundational Temper for Sanctification 1 Resignation: an enduring disposition of the heart i Habituating affections through iteration ii Affections and the response of the heart iii Embodying the affections: the disposition of the whole person 2 Resignation: a primary disposition of the heart i Characteristic tempers and affections of resignation ii Four strands of affections 3 Three distinctive, contributory means to the attainment of resignation i Resignation and grace: the gift of God ii Resignation: suffering and sanctification iii Resignation: freedom and detachment Conclusion 6 Resignation and sanctification: A symbiotic relationship Introduction 1 Establishing the framework: theosis in Eastern Orthodox theology 2 Charles Wesley and the influence of the Eastern Fathers i Image and likeness: Christlikeness ii Incarnation and exchange: symbiosis through content and structure iii Participation and perichoresis iv Union with God Conclusion 7 A Contemporary Wesleyan Theology and Spirituality of Resignation and Sanctification Introduction 1 Establishing a theological and spiritual context of the twenty-first century 2 The performance of the texts 3 Resignation: a lost concept? Conclusion Conclusion Bibliography of Wesley texts Charles Wesley’s poetic works Charles Wesley’s prose works John Wesley’s works Bibliography of other texts Index