The Global Methodist Church (GMC) is doing excellent work at recovering doctrinal integrity. The efforts of the authors of the Transitional Book of Doctrine and Discipline (TDD) are commendable. They direct us onto the path of that primitive religion which we are taught through Holy Scripture, was guarded by the early church, and is restored in the Methodist movement.
Every pastor and lay member should read and study the basic doctrinal paragraphs in the D&D. They are fifteen pages written in plain speech (par. 101-109). The GMC finds its unity in doctrinal integrity more than polity, structure, or institutions. Her delegates will be asked to amend and ratify the core doctrines of our unity at the convening General Conference. This will likely take place in mid to late 2024.
It should be expected that the GMC will lose some constituent churches following the convening conference. That is the experience of the ACNA and AMiA churches formed out of the Episcopal Church. Most of the U.S. churches entering the GMC are coming from a denomination that considered itself non-creedal and non-doctrinal—where the leadership did not care what anyone taught about Christ, salvation, or the authority of Scripture. This created a problem with progressive or syncretic elements working into the church, but it also created a problem among self-identified traditionalist/conservative elements. While we share many things in common, when we begin to clearly identify our doctrines we will discover that we include Wesleyan, Reformed, Arminian, Anglican, as well as Baptists and Congregationalists among others. Doctrinal integrity cannot make that much accommodation. Some of us will discover we need a different home. It is not a matter of infighting. It is natural. It is to be expected.
If the Way of Salvation is a local option matter to be determined by each congregation, then we have jumped out of one fire and into another. Therefore, our churches should carefully consider the teaching of Holy Scripture as to the foundational and irrevocable word of God in five areas:
- The Nature of the Triune God
- The Rule of Faith (Biblical authority)
- The Way of Salvation
- The Nature and Mission of the Church
- The Relationship of the Church with the World.
This essay in the series is concerned with The Way of Salvation. Almost anything to do with personal salvation was marginalized or even ridiculed by leadership in my previous denomination. Things like the Roman Road to Salvation, the Sinner’s Prayer, of even talk of being born again were good for a laugh at clergy gatherings. (For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.) The Global Methodist Church is dedicated “…to introduce all people, without exception, to Jesus Christ, recognizing that the mission in which we are engaged has eternal consequences.” (par. 103)
For those who recoil from the use of the terms doctrine and theology and ask, “Why can’t we just use the Bible,” I think you will like the first paragraphs of the D&D. After an introduction to the formation of the Global Methodist Church showing where it fits among the Christian churches, the first item addressed by our Doctrine and Discipline is, The Way of Salvation (par. 102). It comes straight from Scripture: “That if you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”
However, we must also address what Scripture says about how God accomplishes this work and about what the Scriptures say about. Repentance, faith, justification, sanctification, and the Witness of the Spirit. We do that by allowing Scripture to interpret Scripture. When we let Scripture interpret Scripture to definitively answer a question—we make a doctrinal statement. Every Biblical principle is a doctrinal statement. When we use Biblical principles to speak of how God relates with his creation and works in the lives of people, we make theological statements. Every sermon or devotional writing—every personal testimony–is an exercise in theology. The terms may have been perverted by your previous denomination, but this is a fair synopsis of the terms, doctrine and theology.
We continue by following the original Thirty-Nine Articles.
Numbering follows the order of the original Thirty-Nine then indicates its place in the Abridged Version.
Italics indicate words that are present in the original but omitted in the abridged texts.
Underlines indicate an addition to the original.
TAKEAWAYS
- Four articles (10, 11, 12, 14) are received in their original form and are without current controversy. They are listed in their proper sequence but passed over without commentary.
- Article IX is helped and not harmed by its revision in the Abridged Version.
- Two new Articles are recommended on Prevenient Grace and Convicting Grace.
- The unnumbered Article, On Sanctification, should be placed in its logical position among the Articles.
- Article XV, On Christ Alone Without Sin, and Article XVIII, On Obtaining Eternal Salvation Only through Christ, should be restored to the Articles.
- Article XVII, Of Predestination and Election, needs to be restored to the Articles and re-written to Wesley’s clarification of the Article.
IX. Of Original or Birth-Sin Article 7 Abridged Version
<Original Sin standeth not in the following of Adam, (as the Pelagians do vainly talk;) but it is the fault and 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 is of his own nature inclined to evil, so that the flesh lusteth always contrary to the Spirit; and therefore in every person born into this world, it deserveth God’s wrath and damnation. And this infection of nature doth remain, yea in them that are regenerated; whereby the lust of the flesh, called in the Greek, φρόνημα σαρκός, which some do expound the wisdom, some sensuality, some the affection, some the desire, of the flesh, is not subject to the Law of God. And although there is no condemnation for them that believe and are baptized, yet the Apostle doth confess, that concupiscence and lust hath of itself the nature of sin.>
No, people are not basically good, and that is not the Garden of Eden outside your window, but there is the potential for good in all of us and God is redeeming his creation. We need to be redeemed. Our natural desires and common reasoning have been corrupted. Our natural desires need to surrender to Divine Love that will direct us toward objects more worthy of our love. Our ordinary reason needs to be directed by Divine Wisdom. We must be born again.
The abridged version omits the lengthy italicized phrase and summarizes it with three words: and that continually. This amended Article concludes with, “and is of his own nature inclined to evil, and that continually.”
I am inclined to go with the abridged version on this one. Not because the content is in error—every word is true—but because it leads to unnecessary confusion. The point is made at exactly the place where the abridged Article leaves off. The verboseness lends itself to misinterpretation—intentional or unintentional. There is too much room to play with words in a subject where the precise meaning of each word is critical. Frequently, Wesley had to defend the doctrine of Christian Perfection against phrases in this Article. He was always able to do so. There is nothing in Christian Perfection that refutes this Article and nothing in this Article that refutes Christian Perfection.
Part of me wants to recover the omitted phrase. The more prudent part of me says when you have made your point, insert a period and stop.
X. Of Free Will Article 8 Abridged Version
<The condition of Man after the fall of Adam is such, that he cannot turn and prepare himself, by his own natural strength and good works, to faith, and calling upon God: Wherefore we have no power to do good works pleasant and acceptable to God, without the grace of God by Christ preventing us, that we may have a good will, and working with us, when we have that good will.>
This Article is retained in its original form.
Proposed New Articles
There is a rising sentiment among methodists forming the Global Methodist Church in favor of including statements on Prevenient Grace and Convicting (convincing) Grace in the doctrinal standards. If adopted, the two Articles would belong immediately before Article IX. The last essay in this series will examine proposed new Articles.
XI. Of the Justification of Man Article 9 Abridged Version
<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, as more largely is expressed in the Homily of Justification.>
The Abridged Version rightly omits a reference to the Book of Homilies much of which is unique to a time in the Church of England.
Unnumbered Article – Of Sanctification
<Sanctification is that renewal of our fallen nature by the Holy Ghost, received through faith in Jesus Christ, whose blood of atonement cleanseth from all sin; whereby we are not only delivered from the guilt of sin, but are washed from its pollution, saved from its power, and are enabled, through grace, to love God with all our hearts and to walk in his holy commandments blameless.>
This late addition to the Articles of Religion has been tacked on to the end of the Methodist Articles without number. It has been around long enough that it ought to be moved to its proper place following Article XI and the remaining Articles renumbered accordingly.
XII. Of Good Works Article 10 Abridged Version
<Albeit that Good Works, which are the fruits of Faith, and follow after Justification, cannot put away our sins, and endure the severity of God’s Judgement; yet are they pleasing and acceptable to God in Christ, and do spring out necessarily of a true and lively Faith; insomuch that by them a lively Faith may be as evidently known as a tree discerned by the fruit.>
This Article is retained in its original form.
XIII. Of Works Before Justification Omitted from Abridged Version
<Works done before the grace of Christ, and the Inspiration of his Spirit, are not pleasant to God, forasmuch as they spring not of faith in Jesus Christ, neither do they make men meet to receive grace, or (as the School-authors say) deserve grace of congruity: yea rather, for that they are not done as God hath willed and commanded them to be done, we doubt not but they have the nature of sin.>
This Article ought to be retained in its original form. It may benefit from some rewording to better represent some Wesleyan nuances, but it is true and adequate as it stands. It corrects the false belief that God works on some kind of point system separate from Salvation by Faith. God may work through an unbeliever to accomplish his good work, and through the performance of works of mercy a non-believer may be drawn to the cross of Christ, yet the works themselves are of no benefit to the soul of the non-believer and have the nature of sin.
XIV. Of Works of Supererogation Article 11 Abridged Version
<Voluntary Works besides, over, and above, God’s Commandments, which they call Works of Supererogation, cannot be taught without arrogancy and impiety: for by them men do declare, that they do not only render unto God as much as they are bound to do, but that they do more for his sake, than of bounden duty is required: whereas Christ saith plainly, When ye have done all that are commanded to you, say, We are unprofitable servants.>
This Article is retained in its original form.
XV. Of Christ Alone Without Sin Omitted from Abridged Version
<Christ in the truth of our nature was made like unto us in all things, sin only except, from which he was clearly void, both in his flesh, and in his spirit. He came to be the Lamb without spot, who, by sacrifice of himself once made, should take away the sins of the world, and sin, as Saint John saith, was not in him. But all we the rest, although baptized, and born again in Christ, yet offend in many things; and if we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.>
This missing Article protects against the popular sermons and articles asserting that Jesus was bigoted and prejudiced. His repentance of these sins was brought about through his contact with marginalized persons. This resulted in a conversion experience that brought him closer to God.
Christ, being truly human and truly Divine, is unique. He is conceived without sin and he remains without sin, he is the perfect Lamb of God. No other person could perform the reconciling work of the cross.
The last line of the Article ought to be humbling for believers. From John Wesley’s Sermon XIV, Repentance of Believers:
“…there is also a repentance and a faith (taking the words in another sense, a sense not quite the same, nor yet entirely different) which are requisite after we have “believed the gospel;” yea, and in every subsequent stage of our Christian course, or we cannot “run the race which is set before us.” And this repentance and faith are full as necessary, in order to our continuance and growth in grace, as the former faith and repentance were, in order to our entering into the kingdom of God.”
The truth in this Article, which is firmly established by the plain sense of Scripture, has been lacking in popular preaching and writings. It needs to be restored everywhere it has been neglected—including the Articles of Religion.
XVI. Of Sin After Baptism Article 12 Abridged Version
<Not every deadly sin willingly committed after Baptism is sin against the Holy Ghost, and unpardonable. Wherefore the grant of repentance is not to be denied to such as fall into sin after Baptism. After we have received the Holy Ghost, we may depart from grace given, and fall into sin, and by the grace of God we may arise again and amend our lives. And therefore, they are to be condemned which say they can no more sin as long as they live here or deny the place of forgiveness to such as truly repent.>
The Abridged Version substitutes Justification for Baptism. This is not a theological revision but a clarification. Wesley is only shifting the emphasis to the work of Justification rather than the instrument of Baptism. It is an advisable revision which ought to be retained.
XVII. Of Predestination and Election Omitted from Abridged Version
<Predestination to Life is the everlasting purpose of God, whereby (before the foundations of the world were laid) he hath constantly decreed by his counsel secret to us, to deliver from curse and damnation those whom he hath chosen in Christ out of mankind, and to bring them by Christ to everlasting salvation, as vessels made to honour. Wherefore, they which be endued with so excellent a benefit of God be called according to God’s purpose by his Spirit working in due season: they through Grace obey the calling: they be justified freely: they be made sons of God by adoption: they be made like the image of his only-begotten Son Jesus Christ: they walk religiously in good works, and at length, by God’s mercy, they attain to everlasting felicity. As the godly consideration of Predestination, and our Election in Christ, is full of sweet, pleasant, and unspeakable comfort to godly persons, and such as feel in themselves the working of the Spirit of Christ, mortifying the works of the flesh, and their earthly members, and drawing up their mind to high and heavenly things, as well because it doth greatly establish and confirm their faith of eternal Salvation to be enjoyed through Christ, as because it doth fervently kindle their love towards God: So, for curious and carnal persons, lacking the Spirit of Christ, to have continually before their eyes the sentence of God’s Predestination, is a most dangerous downfall, whereby the devil doth thrust them either into desperation, or into wretchlessness of most unclean living, no less perilous than desperation. Furthermore, we must receive God’s promises in such wise, as they be generally set forth to us in Holy Scripture: and, in our doings, that Will of God is to be followed, which we have expressly declared unto us in the Word of God.>
The church needs to an article on predestination and election, but this isn’t it. The article is confusing. It appears to imply things it does not say, and it allows for contrary readings. This is no way to write an article of faith.
This Article was prepared by Cranmer when he was subject to a lot of outside pressure. This was a time when a new edition of the Book of Common Prayer could cause riots around the country and send public officials into hiding. The Article appears to allow for comfortable reading by Calvinist elements in the North while also allowing for a reading that refutes the Calvinist reading. Since we are not in danger of a breakdown in civil order by publishing a new hymnal, we can afford to settle this.
Perhaps a re-working of the Article can be guided by the words from Wesley’s Sermon, On predestination: “What is it, then, that we learn from this whole account? It is this, and no more: — (1.) God knows all believers; (2) wills that they should be saved from sin; (3) to that end, justifies them, (4) sanctifies and (5) takes them to glory. O that men would praise the Lord for this his goodness; and that they would be content with this plain account of it, and not endeavor to wade into those mysteries which are too deep for angels to fathom!”
We cannot pretend that the Scripture is silent on the matter nor ignore the impact of discussions in popular theology. The church must say something. That is a discussion that our bishops and academics should lead us in prior to the convening conference. It is a discussion we can engage in the comments in this post or on the social media page where you found this article. I contend the Article needs to be rewritten and restored.
XVIII. Of Obtaining Eternal Salvation Only by The Name Of Christ Omitted from Abridged Version
<They also are to be had accursed that presume to say, that every man shall be saved by the Law or Sect which he professeth, so that he be diligent to frame his life according to that Law, and the light of Nature. For Holy Scripture doth set out unto us only the Name of Jesus Christ, whereby men must be saved.>
Even atheists who seek justice, who are good stewards of the environment, and are generous with the things God placed in their hands, are reconciled to God through their actions. Even pagans, who rejects the cross of Christ but hold faithfully to the moral tenets of their religion, are reconciled to God. Such teachings are as wrong as they are popular.
Whatever mercy God may show to those who choose to roll the dice and take their chances with their soul, God has revealed only the Name of Jesus Christ, whereby men must be saved. Those who presume to say otherwise only make people comfortable on the road to hell. This Article is foundational to what the Doctrine and Discipline declares in paragraph 102, “The gift of grace is available to all persons. Our Father in Heaven is not willing that any should be lost (Matthew 18:14), but that all may come to “the knowledge of truth” (1 Timothy 2:4). With St. Paul, we affirm the proclamation found in Romans 10:9, “That if you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”
The Article was firmly held and consistently taught by Wesley and the early Methodists. The Article should be restored.
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