METHODIST THEOLOGY AND MISSION

                                       Foundational Beliefs and Practices of the Methodist Tradition

                                                                        By Donald E. Williams

     Several streams of theological thought contribute to the vast river of Methodist doctrine. These tributaries include the 25 Articles of Religion John Wesley inherited from his Anglican roots, Wesley's published sermons and notes on the New Testament. The theological positions contained in these documents establish the basic tenants of Methodist doctrine and inform our theological task and missional engagement in the world.

                                 Summaries and Highlights From the 25 Articles of Religion

     The 25 Articles of Religionin the Book of Discipline contain the core doctrines of the Methodist tradition. Based on the 39 Articles of Religionin the Anglican Church, the articles express core orthodox doctrines of Protestantism dating back to the Reformation. Highlights of the articles are as follows:

                                                                             Article I and II

     As Methodist, we embrace the doctrine of the Holy Trinity. We believe the scriptures teach that the God of creation, who created all things "ex-nihilo" (out of nothing) is triune in nature. That is, He is comprised of three distinct persons, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit-yet He is One. Moreover, we believe that Jesus, the Son is co-eternal, co-equal with the Father. He is not subordinate or inferior to the Father. As the Father has always existed, so have the Son and the Holy Spirit. Theologians sometimes describe the Trinity in economic terms. The Triune God, is a relational God who has always reached out in relationship with His creation. The ultimate expression of this was in the Incarnation, when God became flesh to redeem His creation from death and darkness.

                                                                                   Article III

     As Methodist, we believe that Jesus, the lamb of God was crucified for our sins, as an atoning sacrifice. Unlike some Gnostics in the early church, we believe that Jesus rose from the dead and is ascended into heaven where he is seated at the right hand of the Father.

                                                                                    Article IV

     We believe that the Holy Spirit, the third person of the holy Trinity is one substance (homo ousios) with the Father and the Son. We understand the Holy Spirit to be the Comforter, promised by Jesus, who guides us into all truth and convicts the world concerning sin, righteousness and the judgement to come (John 16:8).

                                                                                     Article V

     The holy scriptures contain all knowledge that is necessary for salvation. Thus, the Apostle Paul asserted that "all scripture is inspired by God and good for reproof, correction and instruction, that the man of God might be thoroughly furnished unto all good works (I Timothy 3:16).

                                                                                    Article VI

     We acknowledge the importance of the Old Testament in providing critical moral laws important to all humankind. Although we recognize that Christians are not bound by Jewish ceremonial law, we recognize the rich treasure trove of wisdom and revelation in the Old Testament writings.

                                                                                    Article VII

     As Methodist we believe in the Augustinian doctrine of original sin, which purports that as children of Adam, we inherit the spiritual corruption of our father Adam. Thus, we are inclined perpetually towards evil. We also recognize that Jesus is the is the solution to this spiritual problem.

                                                                                    Article VIII

      We embrace the Augustinian view that after the Fall, the condition of humankind is such that we cannot turn to God in our own natural strength. It is only by grace, the good will of God working in us, that we can turn to God. However, contrary to Augustine's full soteriology, we believe this grace is freely available to all who would believe.

                                                                                     Article X

     Good works are the natural result of faith but do not justify us before God. We are saved by faith, not works, lest any should boast.

                                                                                   Article XII

     We do not believe in works of supererogation, works far beyond what duty requires. This is inconsistent with Methodist piety.

                                                                                   Article XVI

     We believe in the two sacraments of baptism and the Eucharist. The sacraments are signs of grace, and the good will of God towards his children. As Methodist, we do not consider confirmation, penance, orders, matrimony and extreme unction to be sacraments, as they don't have visible signs and ceremonies ordained by God.

                                                                                  Article XVII

     The quintessential purpose of baptism is a sign of regeneration or the new birth. The baptism of children is to be part of Christian practice.

                                                                                 Article XVIII

     We believe that the Eucharist is a sign of the love of Christ and the love Christians are to have for one another. We do not embrace the doctrine of transubstantiation which asserts that the host (the bread and wine) are obliterated in the Eucharistic ceremony and become the actual blood and body of Christ. We believe the Catholic and Orthodox understandings of transubstantiation are inconsistent with the teachings of the scriptures.

                                                                                     Article XIX

      We believe that the cup of the Lord should be offered to clergy and laity. As Methodist, we embrace an open table policy where the Eucharist is available to all Christians.

                                                                                     Article XXIV

     Although the scriptures teach that the earliest Christians held all things in common, we do not promote the corporate ownership of all property[8]. Rather, we believe in the right to private property and the Christian imperative to give alms to the poor as one is able.

                                                                         Additional DoctrinalIssues

     John Wesley's published sermons establish and explore additional doctrines not covered by the twenty- five Articles of Religion. Among these is the provocative doctrine of predestination,  controversial during Wesley's time. As Methodist, we do not embrace a strict Augustinian of Calvinist soteriology, theory of salvation, which promotes the doctrine of predestination. We do not believe as Calvinist do that before the foundations of the earth, God foreordained those who would be saved and those who would be damned. On the contrary, we are Armenian in our beliefs. Specifically, we believe that the grace of God is freely available to all who would believe. Human agency works in concert with Divine agency in the process of salvation. God calls, woos us by His Holy Spirit and we are free to respond to God's love and truth. This view is heavily supported by scriptures like John 3:16 that strongly infer the importance of human agency in accepting and responding to the gospel message.

     As Methodist, we believe the quintessential purpose of Christ is to destroy and defeat the works of the devil. This is evident in the John 1:3-8, the scripture passage for Wesley's sermon The End ofChrist Coming. Wesley's understanding of Christ should be understood within the dichotomy of virtue and vice. For Wesley, happiness attends virtue, making possible a happy and fulfilling life. Conversely, misery naturally accompanies vice. Human virtue was the natural state of humankind, fashioned in the imago Dei, who is the very essence of perfection. The purpose of the Incarnation of Christ was to deliver fallen humankind from slavery to the passions of greed, lust, avarice, pride, anger, self-esteem. This comports well with an Aristotelian vison of humankind where the telos of humanity is to achieve happiness.

                                                        Our Theological Task and Mission

     John Wesley identified the mission of Methodism as "spreading holiness throughout the land." Wesley's vision was a Post-Millennial vision, a grass roots vison of Methodism proliferating throughout society one heart at a time, culminating in a crescendo of holiness that would usher in the reign of God. As Methodist, we embrace a proliferating model of missions whose objective is to transform lives for Christ. Yes, it is an optimistic message of hope for society and indeed the world. It is hope for a world destined to be delivered from the influence of the Prince of the Air and empowered to live into the freedom, peace and righteousness of the Kingdom of God. Indeed, the kingdom of God is a present and future reality. It is here before our very eyes.

      Numerous theological elements contribute to the foundation of formal Methodist doctrine. As a strong theological foundation for Methodism, John Wesley drew upon the 39 Articles of Religionin the Anglican tradition of which he was an ecclesial leader. Wesley's sermons and notes on the New Testament establish the basic tenants of Methodist tradition, informing our theological task and missional engagement in the world.



THINKING THEOLOGICALLY, STAFFORD, VA  (571) 334-4925
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