TO SPREAD SCRIPTURAL HOLINESS AND TO REFORM THE NATION: THE KINGDOM OF GOD IN THE THOUGHT OF JOHN WESLEY -- Kingdom of God as Orienting Concern
Article by Philip R. Hamner
What one finds in Wesley’s doctrine of the kingdom of God is a broad and cohesive focus on the full work of God in this world. Personal and corporate aspects of redemption make up the soteriological concern, while the entire doctrine is covered with eschatological concern. Given the broad appeal of the kingdom of God in Wesley’s theology is it possible to use the kingdom as a lens through which to view the shape and scope of other theological doctrines? Some have argued that the best thing to do with Wesley is to recapitulate his arguments as an ordo salutis. Others, like Randy Maddox have argued for an orienting concern which holds in tension the soteriological initiative of redemption in the grace of God with the necessary requirement of human response-ability. Perhaps another orientation in Wesley’s theology with a different focal point, namely the kingdom of God, becomes possible. Although this argument remains at an early stage of evaluation, it might be helpful to review questions that help evaluate this possibility, based on the initial evidence. First, does the kingdom maintain a sufficient place in Wesley’s writings to warrant such a claim? Certainly, the lengthy and extensive work by Wesley on the Sermon on the Mount and his growing interest in the New Creation toward the end of his life give scholars plenty of room to consider the kingdom as a central concern for Wesley. Second, does an orientation around the kingdom of God offer a fuller and richer expression of the various nuances of Wesley’s thinking? It appears reasonable to think of the kingdom as providing a more central role for political theology. However, does this orienting concern provide a suitable focus for the soteriological burden which Wesley’s work carries?
