ANALISIS KRITIS TERHADAP POKOK-POKOK TEOLOGI JOHN WESLEY DARI PERSPEKTIF KRISTEN ORTODOKS TIMUR
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.63276/jurnalrai.v3i2.155Keywords:
John Wesley, Eastern Orthodox Christianity, theosis, salvation, Christian perfectionAbstract
The theological position of John Wesley has long been debated, particularly regarding its affinity with Eastern Orthodox Christianity, which similarly emphasizes human transformation toward holiness. Although international scholarship has explored this relationship, a systematic theological evaluation of Wesley's thought from an Eastern Orthodox perspective remains scarce, especially within the context of Indonesian theological studies. This study aims to critically analyze the principal theological doctrines of John Wesley and evaluate them from the perspective of Eastern Orthodox Christianity. Employing a qualitative library research approach, the study examines John Wesley's writings, Holy Scripture, Wesleyan theological literature, the writings of the Church Fathers, and major Eastern Orthodox theological sources through descriptive and comparative analysis. The novelty of this research lies in its systematic engagement between the Wesleyan-Nazarene theological tradition and Eastern Orthodox theology within Indonesian academic discourse, while applying Holy Tradition, the teachings of the Church Fathers, and the Ecumenical Councils as evaluative theological criteria. The findings reveal significant theological convergences, particularly concerning divine love, human free will, moral transformation, and growth in holiness. Nevertheless, substantial differences remain regarding the authority of Holy Tradition, the doctrine of original sin, the theological function of religious experience, and the understanding of salvation. The study concludes that Wesley's theology demonstrates a closer affinity to Eastern Orthodox Christianity than many other Protestant traditions, yet it cannot be fully identified with Eastern Orthodoxy because fundamental structural differences require continued critical theological evaluation.
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