Document Type

Presentation

Peer Reviewed

1

Publication Date

2-4-2013

Scholarship Domain(s)

Scholarship of Interdisciplinary Integration, Scholarship of Faith Integration

Abstract

This presentation provides an overview of the intersection between Wesleyan theology and Christian ethics, essentially sketching the contours of Wesleyan moral theology. Of all the available options for framing Christian ethics, Wesleyan theology’s doctrines of: 1) sin, 2) prevenient grace, 3) revelation, and 4) sanctification make it best suited for virtue ethics. In essence, conscience (i.e., practical reasoning) and moral transformation are the primary means to pursuing the goals of moral purity, wholehearted love for God and others, and acting in ways that glorify God and edify others. Nevertheless, like other versions of virtue ethics, Wesleyan virtue ethics still requires another moral theory to provide it with a concept of the good. It is argued that the two best candidates for this are natural law ethics and utilitarianism, both of which are reflected in Wesley’s own thought.

Comments

Presented on February 4, 2013 as a faculty workshop at Olivet Nazarene University.

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