Monday, July 2, 2012

Wesleyan Stages of Grace

 I've created a chart and written descriptions to represent each stage in the Wesleyan Developmental Model of Salvation.  The headings refer to the actions of grace, and the lists contain the characteristics that are typical of those at each stage of grace.  Do the descriptions cover the basics of each category?  Have I overlooked a major characteristic?

4 comments:

Julian A. Davies said...

How about regenerating grace? I think that in the Wesleyan Via Salutis justification and regeneration are logically differentiated as separate acts of grace although occurring simultaneously (if I read Ken Collins work correctly).

Laura Felleman said...

Hi Julian, Thanks for the comment. The Regeneration-Degeneration process is dynamic, and to depict it I need to add animation to the chart. I'm imagining a computer graphic that represents grace causing regeneration-the new birth-the new creation-maturation in faith, and sin causing degeneration-backsliding-the weakening and eventual loss of faith. Do you know a computer designer or an application developer by any chance?

Morgan Guyton said...

I tend to think of all three graces as being perpetually dynamic rather than sequential, though sanctification cannot happen until justification starts. Here is what I wrote about this subject. Interested in how it sounds to you.

http://morganguyton.wordpress.com/2011/08/06/perpetual-conversion-reframing-the-question-of-salvation/

Laura Felleman said...

Hi Morgan, Reading your post reminded me of Wesley's first discourse on the Sermon on the Mount. He reads the Beatitudes as both the stages of conversion and as steps in an on-going process of salvation. It's more accurate to credit these changes in our inward attitudes and outward behaviors to God's grace without labeling grace as a particular type.