Weggemeinschaft der Gnade

Eine methodistische Spiritualität für herausfordernde Zeiten

Abstract

This article examines the Wesleyan concept of the means of grace and how this concept shows the interrelation of spirituality and ethics within (methodist) theology. This is shown by looking at three key relations regarding the means of grace: the relation between gift and response, the relation between works of piety and works of mercy, and the relation between works and disposition. The article ends with an appeal to use the word »Weggemeinschaft der Gnade« instead of »Gnadenmittel« when translating means of grace into german. The word »Weggemeinschaft der Gnade« emphasizes the relational and dynamic dimension of the Wesleyan theology of grace.