In 1741 at Gray’s Inn Walks in London controversy erupted.
A dispute was debated by John Wesley representing the Methodists and Count Zinzendorf of the Moravian point-of-view. The argument was carried out in Latin.
John Wesley claimed that the Moravians overly emphasized Luther’s justification by faith and neglected real holiness, not teaching correctly the goal of the Christian life which was “Christian perfection.”
Zinzendorf disagreed: “I know of no such thing as inherent perfection in this life. This is the error of errors. I pursue it everywhere with fire and sword! I stamp it under foot! I give it over to destruction! Christ is our only perfection. Whoever affirms inherent perfection denies Christ.”
In reply to Wesley’s argument that it was “Christ’s own Spirit that works in true Christians to achieve their perfection,” the Count replied: “By no means! All Christian perfection is simply faith in Christ’s blood. Christian perfection is entirely imputed, not inherent. We are perfect in Christ; never in ourselves.”
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