Abstract

The advent of the third millennium calls for a renewed spirituality. New channels for dialogue in all fields have been opened, especially in theology and religion. This phenomenon generates an intellectual quest to discover the relevance of classical spirituality in the postmodern era. Separated by fourteen centuries, we find that Gregory of Nyssa, a fourth century father, and John Wesley, an eighteen century revivalist, share a certain interest in Christian perfection. They teach us that believers seek to participate in the knowledge, grace, love, and goodness of God in Jesus Christ (Philippians 3:12-15). The purpose of this thesis is to explore the notion of Christian perfection and an effect of Christology in the thought of Gregory of Nyssa and John Wesley as a central theme of Christian faith. In discovering essential elements of similarity and difference this thesis will propose "an unity in diversity" in theological dialogue between Gregory and Wesley meaningful for our present ecumenical era, and thus find a real place of Wesley in Christian tradition: He synthesizes a dynamic relationship between the eastern and the western theologies, and creates an ecumenical theology in relation to Christian perfection in the Christian tradition.