John Wesley's Journal

John Wesley was an influential theologian who led the Methodist movement. He kept a journal that is "not only a fascinating insight into the life of this religious leader, but it is also an eyewitness account of the eighteenth century world. Wesley’s travels over much of Britain provide a brilliant social history of what life was like during this period."

The document "Extracts from John Wesley's Journal" is a record of John Wesley's conversion narrative from January 8th to May 24th, 1738. Wesley wrote the select entries likely somewhere between 1742-1791 in England recounting his experiences. John Wesley was an 18th-century Anglican cleric, theologian, evangelist, and leader of the Methodist movement in the Church of England. The genre of the document is a journal (testimony); it is a detailed account to Wesley's followers and those inquiring of the faith to affirm the Gospel is dependent on salvation by faith rather than salvation by works. He acknowledges the tensions within the Christian faith and profoundly influences the Church and those who engage with his teachings.

The document consists of a greater theme of the search for faith – embracing the tension of Christianity as salvation by faith or salvation by works (p 106). Wesley's journal identifies his original position how he grew up, showing his faith by his works and "staking [his] all upon it" (pg 100). However, acknowledging the downfall in both emphasizing outward works and the danger of faith without any works to show for the transformation in one's life (pg 101). Wesley's assertion of Scripture will be contrasted to his personal experience and search for assurance of salvation (pg 106). Through the providence of God, he meets Peter Bohler, who influences his understanding of inward holiness (107).
 
Wesley's journal extracts describe pivotal moments in his discovery of Christianity and salvation. The contrast in his early spiritual experience identifies with many of his followers searching and journey to salvation. Before Wesley's journal account, German Pietism, High Church Anglican Spirituality, and English Puritanism were prominent in England. Consecutively, Thomas A. Kempis's Catholic Pietism had recently begun. During Wesley's conversion, George Whitfield took part in the Oxford Holy Club, and John and Charles began writing and publishing hymns together to teach doctrine to the working class. At the same time, Jonathan Edwards was in America experiencing his conversion and evangelizing to those in his sphere. Wesley's conversion narrative made way to the Methodist movement and could be recognized as a contributor to Evangelicalism in 1735-1750 in Britain. Simultaneously following Wesley's conversion was the Great Awakening in America.