73%
Confidence
Belief overview
Christian perfection or perfect love
The tradition speaks of maturity of love, not of absolute impeccability.
3
Supportive
0
Contrary
0
Neutral
What it is: Christian perfection, in Wesley's language, designates maturity of love to God and to neighbor rather than absolute absence of error or human limitation.
How the tradition understands it: The ideal is a heart fully oriented by holy love, even though the person remains human, finite, and dependent on grace. Christian perfection is not normally understood as metaphysical impeccability.
Basis and context: The theme was one of the most distinctive and most debated marks of early Methodism.
Debates and variations: There are Methodists who speak little of this doctrine and others who treat it as the core of the Wesleyan heritage.
Documentary evidence
Supportive
John Wesley, A Plain Account of Christian Perfection
An extended presentation of Christian perfection in pastoral and doctrinal language.
Reference: John Wesley, A Plain Account of Christian Perfection.
Content: The work compiles and explains more fully the Wesleyan teaching on holiness and perfect love.
Use in debate: It is one of the main Methodist sources on spiritual maturity.
John Wesley, Sermon Christian Perfection
A key sermon on Christian perfection.
Reference: John Wesley, sermon Christian Perfection.
Content: Wesley explains Christian perfection as mature love and not as absolute sinlessness.
Use in debate: It is an indispensable source for this distinctive Methodist doctrine.
Matthew 5:48
A text often related to Christian perfection.
Reference: Matthew 5:48.
Content: Jesus calls for perfection in a context of love and ethical integrity.
Use in debate: It is one of the central texts for the Wesleyan vocabulary of Christian perfection.