Methodism encourages us to think and debate beliefs, learn from others and pass on what we have learned, to study and explore the Bible, to pray and to be inspired by God. We are all in the process of learning and we would love to have you join us!
John Wesley, who is the founding father of the Methodist Movement, could happily say to his neighbour, “If your heart is as my heart, then brother give me your hand!” This was not usual in the early 1700s!
Today all who love the Lord are always invited to share communion with us, regardless of denomination or differing beliefs!
When exploring what we believe as Methodists, we are encouraged to follow the example of John Wesley, to study the Bible earnestly and often. However, we are advised to view it through the windows of tradition, reason and experience.
Scripture, tradition, reason and experience are sometimes called the “Methodist Quadrilateral.”
I think of our belief system as a four-legged stool –
John Wesley studied the Bible for hours daily. Even when travelling he could be seen reading his Bible as the horse walked along! All his sermons were based on solid Bible study and we believe God speaks to us through this book. People find that the more they become familiar with the Bible the more amazed they are that one book can speak to people across all time; from stone-age to digital; across all cultures and levels of education, both communally and personally. When we habitually study the Bible, it keeps revealing truths we have not spotted before, just when we need them!
We’ve all met sports commentators who can pontificate about sport all night long, but only those who have worn the boots and played the game can really understand it. Similarly, we can know all about Christianity, but all the theory in the world is not enough. We must experience God in us, filling us with love, peace and joy, and directing our focus to what really matters. Then we can understand what Christianity means. Our prayers are a way of communicating with God. When we truly allow God to fill every hollow and yearning of our souls, our lives become constant prayer.
The Bible has wonderful teachings but interpreting it remains a challenge! What parts should we take literally? What parts are symbolic or parable? What is historical documentation of stone age people’s perceptions and dawning realisation of who God is, who Jesus and Holy Spirit are? How can we know that the Bible is God’s word while acknowledging things that seem to contradict each other! John Wesley encouraged his followers to study the Bible in detail and at length, combining study with prayer to help figure out its meaning. He himself got up early every morning to study and pray. If he had a particularly busy day ahead, he got up an hour earlier to set himself up for the work. This study and thinking about beliefs energised him.
Similarly, we can learn a lot from the tradition of the Church, but we need to discern what is gold and what is clay. The Holy Spirit is our guide but if we seem to be led away from Jesus’ teaching, we need to check that we’re hearing right!
God gave us brains to be used. We don’t leave them at the door when we go to church! Christians do not always come up with the same conclusions but John Wesley believed that “There are many doctrines of a less essential nature….in these, we may think and let think…..agree to disagree……but meantime, let us hold fast the essentials!”
Wesley had many theological disputes with others, particularly his friend George Whitefield, but these did not break the connection he had with them. He deemed it reasonable to stick to your convictions and “agree to disagree” with your fellow man!
We believe the kind of mistakes we make due to lack of understanding or knowledge will not upset the God who gave us both our ability to understand and our opportunities to know the gospel.
The church past and present can be a great source of wisdom as we explore our own belief systems. Today we are dipping into the wisdom of the revivalist John Wesley, but there are many with much to teach us! New generations don’t have to reinvent the wheel either!
© 2023 Bandon Methodist Church. Delivered by digitEleven