R. A. Torrey (1856-1928) was an American evangelist, pastor, educator, and writer. Held evangelistic meetings around the world with song leader Charlie Alexander. Called by D.L. Moody to head the Bible Institute of the Chicago Evangelization Society (now Moody Bible Institute); Dean of Bible Institute of Los Angeles; pastorates included Chicago Avenue Church (now Moody Memorial Church) and Church of the Open Door, Los Angeles. Wrote more than forty books.

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A Plain Account of Christian Perfection

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 – The Doctrine of Christian Perfection

Chapter 2 – In What Sense Are Christians Perfect?

Chapter 3 – Further Explanations

Chapter 4 – Perfection in this Life

Chapter 5 – The Doctrine of Sanctification

Chapter 6 – Thoughts on Christian Perfection

Chapter 7 – The Work of God

Chapter 8 – The Great Challenge of the Soul

Chapter 9 – Further Thoughts on Christian Perfection

Chapter 10 – Further Thoughts on Christian Perfection (Continued)

Chapter 11 – Reflections

Chapter 12 – The Sum of What I Have Observed

Chapter 13 – Brief Thoughts on Christian Perfection

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John Wesley

John Wesley (June, 28 1703 – March 2, 1791) was an Anglican cleric and Christian theologian who was the founder of the (Evangelical) Armenian Methodist movement. “Methodism” was originally an unflattering nickname of the “Holy Club” at Oxford University founded by Charles Wesley but led by brother John. Methodism was well advanced in England through George Whitefield who had taken over the responsibility of the Holy Club while the Wesley brothers were in Savannah, Georgia.

On John Wesley’s return to England in 1737 he publicly criticised Whitefield for his evangelical preaching. After John’s Aldersgate experience in which he felt his heart “strangely warmed”, he adopted what was to become known as “Arminian Evangelical Methodism” (John Fletcher of Madelay’s later description). The Wesley Methodist Movement began when John Wesley was asked to take over the open-air preaching started by George Whitefield at Hanham Mount, Kingswood, Bristol, U.K.

Methodism was effectively divided into Arminian and Calvinistic groupings when George Whitefield departed for a second time in 1739 to Savannah to found the Bethleham Orphanage.

Wesley, along with others (Hywel Haris, John Cennick), continued Whitefield’s work and practices with Wesley forming religious societies for the care of believers.

Methodism in both forms was a very successful evangelical movement in the United Kingdom. Wesley was a brilliant organiser and formed societies throughout England, Scotland, Wales, and Ireland. He divided his religious societies further into classes and bands for intensive accountability and religious instruction. His great contribution was to appoint itinerating (unordained) preachers who travelled widely to evangelise and care for societies.

Methodists, under Wesley’s direction, became leaders in many social justice issues of the day including prison reform and abolitionism movements. Wesley’s contribution as a theologian was to propose a system of opposing theological stances. His greatest theological achievement was his promotion of what he termed “Christian Perfection,” or holiness of heart and life. Wesley insisted that in this life, the Christian could come to a state where the love of God, or perfect love, reigned supreme in one’s heart. His evangelical theology, especially his understanding of Christian perfection, was firmly grounded in his sacramental theology. He continually insisted on the general use of the means of grace (prayer, Scripture, meditation, Holy Communion, etc.) as the means by which God transformed the believer.

Throughout his life, Wesley remained within the Church of England and insisted that his movement was well within the bounds of the Anglican Church. His maverick use of church policy put him at odds with many within the Church of England, though toward the end of his life he was widely respected.