11.13.2008

Where whould you find this?


In doing some preparation for a class I am teaching my research led me to a number of statements. Read them, and while you are reading try to guess where I found them. The answer is at the bottom, but do not cheat. Also I typed this from the sourse so if there is spelling mistakes they are mine.

Hint #1
Original sin standeth not in the following of Adam (as the Pelagians do vainly talk), but it is the corruption of the nature of every man, that naturally is engendered of the offspring of Adam, whereby man is very far gone from original righteousness, and of his own nature inclined to evil, and that continually.

Note: I did not add the part in parenthesis, it is original to the document.

Hint #2
We are accounted righteous before God only for the merit of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, by faith, and not for our own works or deservings. Wherefore, that we are justified by faith, only, is a most wholesome doctrine, and very full of comfort.

Hint #3
Although good works, which are the fruits of faith, and follow after justification, cannot put away our sins, and endure the severity of God’s judgment; yet are they pleasing and acceptable to God in Christ, and spring out of a true and lively faith, insomuch that by them a lively faith may be as evidently known as a tree is discerned by its fruit.

Hint #4
The Romish doctrine concerning purgatory, pardon, worshipping, and adoration, as well of images as of relics, and also invocation of saints, is a fond thing, vainly invented, and grounded upon no warrant of Scripture, but repugnant to the Word of God.

Hint #5
It is a thing plainly repugnant to the Word of God, and the custom of the primitive church, to have public prayer in the church, or to minister the Sacraments, in a tongue not understood by the people.

Final Hint #6
The Holy Scripture containeth all things necessary to salvation; so that whatsoever is not read therein, nor may be proved thereby, is not to be required of any man that it should be believed as an article of faith, or be thought requisite or necessary to salvation. In the name of the Holy Scripture we do understand those canonical books of the Old and New Testament of whose authority was never any doubt in the church. The names of the canonical books are…
[note: all 66 canonical books listed].

Any guesses

These statements were found in ‘The Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church year 2000 edition” on pages 59-63.

Why would I bring this up? Well firstly because I work in the United Methodist church. Second, because it seems when someone says they are Arminian, or Methodist, or Wesleyan, that all Calvinists write us off as believing works based salvation, or being Pelagian. Moreover, it is clear that United Methodism has been involved in unbiblical ecumenism, specifically with the Roman Catholics, but that ecumenism is deviant to the stated theology of Methodism. Now it should be noted that the hints quoted have been basically etched in stone and are set in the Discipline in such a way that they cannot be changed. Later in the discipline these things are interpreted sometimes to water them down, or change their meaning, but nonetheless at the outset the firm foundation is laid, and Methodists can be appalled at the direction their church is heading, but can stand firmly on the churches stated doctrine.

Finally, there are many fundamental UMC pastors and laity, don’t let the crackpots you see in the news dissuade you into thinking the entire denomination is out in left field.

If it goes against your conscience to read a blog written by a Methodist, well pretend you never read this post and keep reading as I post more.

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