Arthur Wesley in London, United Kingdom

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John Wesley (28 June 1703 – 2 March 1791) was a leading Anglican divine and theologian who played a pivotal role in the development of Methodism with his brother Charles Wesley and fellow cleric George Whitefield. His extensive writings also contributed significantly to the growth of the Holiness movement and Pentecostalism. Educated at Charterhouse School and Oxford University, Wesley was elected a fellow of Lincoln College, Oxford in 1726 and ordained as a priest two years later. Upon returning to Oxford in 1729 after serving as curate at his father's parish, he led the Holy Club, which had been founded by Charles Wesley and included George Whitefield among its members. After an unsuccessful ministry of two years at Savannah in the Georgia Colony, Wesley returned to London and joined a religious society led by Moravian Christians. On 24 May 1738, he experienced what would be known as his evangelical conversion when he felt his heart strangely warmed. A crucial step in Wesley's ministry was traveling and preaching outdoors like Whitefield. However, unlike Whitefield, who adhered to Calvinism, Wesley embraced the Arminian doctrines that dominated the Church of England at the time. Moving across Great Britain, North America, and Ireland, he helped form and organize small Christian groups that emphasized personal accountability, discipleship, and religious instruction. Most importantly, he appointed itinerant, unordained evangelists to travel and preach as he did, caring for these groups of people. Under Wesley's guidance, Methodists became prominent leaders in many social issues of the day, including prison reform and the abolition of slavery. Although not a systematic theologian, Wesley argued for the concept of Christian perfection and against Calvinism, specifically its doctrine of predestination. He believed that Christians could achieve a state where God's love reigned supreme in their hearts, resulting in outward holiness. His evangelicalism, rooted in sacramental theology, maintained that means of grace were the manner by which God sanctifies and transforms believers, encouraging people to experience Jesus Christ personally. Throughout his life, Wesley remained within the established Anglican church, insisting that the Methodist movement was well within its tradition. Although sometimes unconventional in his interpretation and use of church policy, he gained widespread respect and, by the end of his life, was described as "the best loved man in England". This object is part of "Scan The World". Scan the World is a non-profit initiative introduced by MyMiniFactory, which aims to create a digital archive of fully 3D printable sculptures, artworks, and landmarks from across the globe for public access.