Meaning of Wesley’s Social Holiness
John Wesley’s doctrine of Social Holiness remains a foundational doctrine in Methodism. Wesley's understanding of social holiness emphasized that personal faith must express itself through active engagement in society and the transformation of communities. It teaches that personal piety must be united with social responsibility thus a genuine Christian life involves not only a deep personal relationship with God but also active engagement with the society. He believed that holiness was not merely an individual, private pursuit but had profound social dimensions that called Christians to work for justice, equality, fellowship and the full participation of all people in God's Church. Wesley did not hesitate to apply his theological convictions to real social, political and economic situations in his time. He believed Christianity is a social religion and not solitary religion, even though we have to make individual commitment to Christ. In one of his sermons, John Wesley said the following concerning Christianity being Social Religion;
“I shall endeavour to show that Christianity is essentially a social religion, and that to turn it into a solitary religion is indeed to destroy it. By Christianity I mean that method of worshipping God which is here revealed to man by Jesus Christ. When I say this is essentially a social religion, I mean not only that it cannot subsist so well, but that it cannot subsist at all without society, without living and conversing with other men.”
John Wesley's declaration that Christianity is "essentially a social religion" means that authentic Christian faith cannot exist in isolation but requires community, relationship, and active engagement with others in the society. Christianity as a social religion binds people together, shapes behavior, provides support, and transmit culture across generations. As a social religion, Christianity becomes a major force in society, impacting social structures, politics, and even economic systems, as seen in movements for social justice.
How Social Holiness has influenced the practices of MCG
The doctrine of Social Holiness has significantly shaped themission and practices of the Methodist Church Ghana. The Methodist Church Ghana, as a religious body, response not only to theological and biblical convictions but also actively engages with social issues, reflecting it commitment to both spiritual transformations and social responsibility. Most Rev Prof. Emmanuel Asante's assertion is worth noting. According to him, "the church will be no Church if it fails to function as the instrument of change in the society. Societal issues must be of great concern to the church. The circumstances of our nation should matter to all Christian. This is because Christ teaches that God is involved in the totality of our human circumstances”. Rooted in Wesleyan values, the Methodist Church has embraced its role not only as a spiritual guide but also as a social force for development and transformation. This is evident in its impactful contributions to education, where it has established schools to promote literacy and moral formation. In the field of health, the church has provided clinics and hospitals, ensuring accessible healthcare. Beyond these the Church has made strides in agriculture by embarking on various agriculture projects. In the area of leadership, the church continues to nurture individuals of integrity who serve in various spheres of national life.
Implication of Social Holiness to the Methodist
However, the responsibility associated with the doctrine of social holiness extends far beyond the institutional contributions of the Methodist Church Ghana as it reaches down to every individual Methodist member. Wesley's conviction that Christianity is essentially a social religion means that each believer bears personal responsibility for social transformation within their own spheres of influence. The doctrine of social holiness is not merely a corporate mandate for the Church as an institution; it is a personal calling for every Methodist to actively contribute toward the growth and development of their communities and society at large. This means that individual members cannot simply celebrate the Church's schools, hospitals, and agricultural projects while remaining passive in their own neighbourhoodsand workplaces.
Each Methodist is called to embody social holiness through their daily lives by living out their faith in practical ways within the society. The doctrine challenges every member to ask: "How am I personally living out my faith in ways that transform society? What am I doing to bring healing, hope, and wholeness to my community? This call to social responsibility can be expressed through various actions including advocating for justice, caring for the environment, promoting peace and reconciliation, using one’s skills and resources to address social needs.
This means standing up against systems and practices that promote inequality, oppression, and discrimination in the society and promoting fairness, equity, dignity for all. For Methodist, this involves speaking out for the marginalized, vulnerable, defending the right of the poor, in all areas of life.This can happen in various was such as fighting against corruption, promoting human right, supporting access to education and healthcare, standing with the voiceless and others
Caring for the environment is an important expression of social holiness, as it reflects our responsibility as stewards of God’s creation. Methodist are called to recognize that the earth is the Lord’s and that caring for it is both spiritual and moral duty. This involves promoting eco-friendly initiatives and sustainable practices, avoiding environmental degradation, and encouraging communities to protect natural resources like water, land, and forest. It also involves advocating for environmental policies and practices that protect God’s creation.
Promoting peace and reconciliation involves actively working towards conflict resolution, healing broken relationships, bridging divides, and fostering unity. As followers of Christ, Methodist are called to be peacemakers. In a world often marked by violence, injustice, and political tensions, promoting peace is very important. This entails encouraging dialogue, forgiveness, and mutual understanding in families, churches, communities, and even in national life. We are called to be ambassadors of peace and reconciliationreflecting God’s love and peace in this world,
This means leveraging personal talents, expertise, and asset to make a positive impact in the society. It is a practical and impactful way Methodist can live out social holiness. Every individual has been gifted by God with unique talents, knowledge, time, and material resources, not just for personal gain but for the benefit of others and the transformation of the society. This can include professionals offering their expertise to serve their community. It also involves using financial resources to support the growth and development of the society.
Conclusion
The Methodist Church Ghana's institutional contributions serve as both an example and a challenge to individual members, calling them to replicate this spirit of social holinessin their own contexts, ensuring that Wesley's vision of Christianity as a social religion is fulfilled not only through denominational programs but through the collective witness of faithful, socially engaged believers transforming their communities one act of love and justice at a time.
Author
Rev Mark Eshun
Cape Coast Diocese
Abura-North Circuit
Bethel Society Efutu