Humility as a Key Component of John Wesley's Understanding of a Christian's Spiritual Development

Degree awarded: Ph.D. Spirituality. The Catholic University of AmericaDue to a series of theological controversies John Wesley was involved in, interpretations of Wesley's sermons have dealt with many important theological topics, but the role of humility as applicable to a Christian's journey of holiness has been largely ignored. The major purpose of this dissertation is to fill this lacuna by exploring the idea of humility as a crucial element in Wesley's understanding of the entire process of spiritual restoration of the imago Dei. This task involves broadening our understanding of humility in its various aspects, self-knowledge in particular. Humility begins in the awareness of one's spiritual status as being created according to the imago Dei. However, this image was lost by original sin and we are now on a journey of restoring it. The dissertation accordingly examines what Wesley's sermons say about humility as one journeys with the aid of different kinds of grace: (a) the prevenient grace that leads persons humbly to admit their need for divine help; (b) the convincing grace of repentance, which Wesley sometimes elucidates through the parable of the Prodigal Son; (c) the justifying grace by which one's now-acknowledged sins are pardoned and one is reconciled with God and so becomes a Christian; and (d) the sanctifying grace that not only leads one toward the goal of entire sanctification but is also accompanied by humility since even the justified are still weighed down by an inbred inclination toward evil. In sum, humility in the journey of restoration of the imago Dei is identified with self-knowledge before God, with repentance in humble confession of one's sinfulness and helplessness, and with dependence on the Spirit's help as one continues the journey toward the fullness of the imago Dei. This journey in company with the Holy Spirit is one of restoring the imago Dei by imitating the love of God, shown in the mind that was in Christ, for he who revealed God's love in humility becomes our model for humbly loving both God and neighbor. With "a single eye" fixed on God, a Christian journeys in the footsteps of Christ toward the goal of entire sanctification.Made available in DSpace on 2011-06-24T17:12:39Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 LeeKoo_cua_0043A_10212display.pdf: 1046798 bytes, checksum: 81f1a26fd846f8373d0dfa806c236b5c (MD5