A comparative study of the concept of judgment in the theology of John Wesley and James White

Abstract

There seems to be not much discussion in Adventist literature comparing James White's concept of the judgment with that of John wesley. This study attempts to compare their views. The main question that this paper addresses is, what are the similarities and differences between their concepts about the judgment? Finding the similarities and differences between their ideas will aid religious thinkers to understand the theological positlon of the Seventh-day Adventist Church about the judgment.

The method used in this research is historical lnvestigation, which is descriptive. From the results of comparing James White's article "The Judgement," wlth John Wesley's sermons, "The Great Assize" and "The Good steward," an analysis was made. Similarities and differences were noted.

The researcher found that John Wesley influenced beliefs concerning the need for an investigative judgment and believed that the final judgement takes place after the resurrection of all the dead. However, his idea of the starting point of the judgment differs from that of James White. John Wesley asserted that the judgment commences at the time of the parousia. James White carefully studied the investigative judgment and arrived at a different conclusion. He believed the judgement beqan in 1844. The connection between John Wesley and James White may be seen through a study of Josiah Litch's teaching about the pre- Advent judgment during the 1840s.

John Wesley and James White's views concerning the judgment were greatly influenced by their individual backgrounds and their immediate evangelistic concerns. Although it cannot be directly established that John Wesley influenced James White, the simirarities between their concept of the judgment is sufficient to suggest a logical connection.