Directly opposite to this is the gospel of Christ. Solitary religion is not to be found there. ‘Holy solitaries’ is a phrase no more consistent with the gospel than holy adulterers. The gospel of Christ knows of no religion, but social; no holiness but social holiness.
From: The Works of John Wesley, Jackson Edition, “Preface to 1739 Hymns and Sacred Poems”, vol. 14:321.
The gospel of Christ knows of no religion, but social; no holiness but social holiness.
Beautiful…
I’m training for the ordained ministry -to word and sacrament in the Methodist Church in England. I have led a very ‘wild life’ and came to Christ through the covennant prayer [long story] I am certainly of the view that the above quote you have used is of prime importance.
It would be easy after a life as wild as mine to renounce all and go away and pray in solitude etc , but the testing of the metal, the refining of the heart is to be in society.
Ineed- The gospel of Christ knows of no religion, but social; no holiness but social holiness.
Have a look at my blogg… Whats your take on perfection…
FYI: this is the first result on a google search for “no holiness but social holiness”
Congrats!
Cool! Thanks for the heads up.
I’m not sure if you were aware, but you’ve been quoted in a discussion on Glenn Beck, the UMC, and social holiness.
http://blog.hackingchristianity.net/2010/03/glenn-beck-declares-war-on-united.html
Pingback: Faith’s response to Glenn Beck « BaptistPlanet
Pingback: Prooftexting Wesley « deeply committed
Pingback: Prooftexting Wesley « Vital Piety