Methodical thinking returns. (June 24)
One of the challenges of communicating theologically is that words used are often understood and interpreted very differently. Many words are relationally connected. Justification, Regeneration, Sanctification and Salvation. They are key to Christian faith.
It is good that Jesus also taught with accessible words, stories and enacted parables. Faith lived out demonstrably and methodically.
J.C. Ryle, a Church of England (C of E) Bishop with some verve, wrote a lot about those four words in “Holiness” p46-83.
Here I go back to my roots to consider some theology aligned to Methodism. Wesley, another C of E leader, went where God led, irrespective of role. Methodism born.
Christian unity is critical and there is a need to focus on sameness that unites. A focus on differences can distract and disunite. I do not avoid respectful disagreement and discussion, from which I might learn.
I have worked with a range of Christian organisations including the C of E. People with different strengths make the best teams. Team members do need the same vision and purpose.
My personal position aligns with my current understanding of Methodist identity. I believe this is from a position of integrity, beyond my Methodist upbringing.
Christians are commissioned to engage in co-mission with him.
The Church’s calling, tweaked in my own way to exemplify my understanding and passion, is to…
mindfully raise awareness of the awesome presence of God, within and beyond church on a Sunday. (Worship)
support one another, with discipleship and caring, to become ever more Christlike. (Learning and Caring)
be good neighbours because the greatest commandments awaken compassion for all. (Service)
make more followers of Jesus Christ and become ever more Christlike and spirit led together. (Evangelism)
methodist.org.uk/about/our-calling
Post-accident my heart has been warmed by the significant reality of God’s love for all. Christ is the only foundation that can be trusted. Not worldly systems, or even medics. Invaluable they may be, when used purposefully with love.
My encounters are not dissimilar to the spiritual experience described by Wesley in 1738.
I am increasingly suspicious of labels, including disabilities, that put people in boxes to justify judgmental sub-par differential treatment. I fully embrace and promote the four all’s of Methodism.
The four alls
1. All need to be saved – the doctrine of original sin
(Anyone claiming to be perfect is Christ, or wrong. Noone is perfect. Beyond the unforgivable sin (Mark 3:28) I can’t see a hierarchy of sin, even if it’s easy to condemn the sins of others that we are less tempted by personally. Use of money, desire for status/privilege, and lack of humility, are often too accepted by the world. They feature regularly in the teaching of Jesus.)
2. All can be saved – Universal Salvation
(The bible describes repeated forgiveness and restoration of relationship to God for those in trouble. Even the deepest of troubles. This includes heroes of faith such as Moses, David, Simon/Peter, Saul/Paul)
3. All can know they are saved – Assurance
(We all have ongoing valleys and mountain top experiences, but those moments of awareness of the presence of God in that ‘thin place’ are too great to adequately describe.)
4. All can be saved completely – Christian perfection
(We are back to universal grace, justification by faith, regeneration and new birth, leading to full salvation and sanctification. I do like the acronyms, God’s Rescue At Christs Expense AND Forsaking All I Trust Him)
God gave us choice. He wants relationship not puppets on a string. We have free will. God may know all, including the choices we may make, but theological determinism of absolute predestination does not align with my understanding and experience of God in relationship with his creation.
Christian faith is an ongoing journey. I believe it is possible to walk away from the path. That is our choice. To be fruitful we must remain connected to the vine. (John 15:5) Our attention, priorities and purpose, should remain focused on God. The key is relational connection. Our strength is in God. Not us.
This may be costly. A Christian life should not be ‘sold’ as being forever easy. The prayer in The Methodist Covenant Service, is an exceptionally challenging and valuable annual recommitment. If said with understanding and purpose.
Noone can save themselves. I believe Wesley considered salvation a gift of God. Yet as a gift, an individual must respond by accepting it, for God will not force that gift upon anyone. We introduce people to Christ for His invitational gift of eternal relationship with God’s tri-unity.
Christians often present as if the invitation is coming from us. To suggest others should become like us. Church often feels alien to our increasingly unchurched community. The gift is His, that we may all become more Christlike together.
We can become overwhelmed by doctrine. I have become increasingly committed to the simplicity of the greatest commandments. They are expressed repeatedly in the Old Testament and New Testament to make sure we get the message. They are my checksum of understanding theology.
Take the TEXT out of CONTEXT and you are left with a CON. People can assemble biblical text to suit their own purposes. Consciously or subconsciously.
It is important to hold onto the big picture of God’s love for us as evidenced by Christ, and his Spirit with us today.
Perosnal Experience
My personal experience of equality issues and church has reenforced my alignment with the theology of the priesthood of all believers.
Jesus exists with all people and suffered for all people. Religious leaders and high ranking “priests” can be so focused on self importance they become blind guides. Too separated from the people they serve. Would you get on a bus where the driver does not look out of the window?
There is a risk in placing too much authority in “priestly” hierachy beyond leadership. Jesus is our high priest and we now have access to God via Jesus directly. “The curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.” (Mark 15:38 NIV) The barrier to the holiness of God, that could only be passed by the old testament high priest, is there no more.
“For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus,” (1 Timothy 2:5 NIV) Jesus, THE high priest, is the only way and truth.
“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.” (1Peter 2:9-10 NIV)
A priesthood of all believers, privileged with purpose to proclaim his good news and live a life of transformation. “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” (Romans 12:2 NIV)
“It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.” (Titus 2:12-14 NIV)
An appropriate conclusion:
May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all, now and evermore. Amen