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Methodist Church Roughly 60-80 million members worldwide Key leader was itinerant preacher John Wesley Anglican priest who taught at Oxford University Stems off of Jacobus Arminius’ teachings (who had broke from Calvin) Formed in the 18th century as part of the Awakenings. Main US denomination is the United Methodist Church With thanks to Pastor Ryan Schreckenghaust, Summit Church, Lee’s Summit Around 60 Methodist churches across Kansas City Stewartville United Methodist Church – with thanks to Pastor Wane Souhrada Justification by grace Justification by grace through faith in Jesus through faith in Jesus Christ Christ Personal religious experience (conversion) climaxing in perfection Perfected in Love A beckoning spark Scripture (OT and NT) Sufficiency of Scripture Wesleyan Quadrilateral: Scripture (primary, though some say not inerrant) Tradition Reason Religious Experience Some see the others as authoritative Biblical Trinity Biblical Trinity Incarnation Incarnation Both God and man Both God and man Redemption Redemption Reconciliation Reconciliation Vicarious Vicarious Satisfaction/Atonement Satisfaction/Atonement Savior Savior Some hold Governmental Theory of Atonement – not at UMC Fallen sinners in need of Fallen sinners in need of redemption, of salvation redemption, of salvation Original sin Partial depravity – retain Bondage of the Will free will in spiritual matters Total depravity Wesley – free will lost in fall, restored supernaturally by Christ Concupiscence as inclination to sin Ephesians 2:8-9 SCURF – Grace Alone Synergism (Decision/Perfection) Faith Alone Conditional Predestination Unlimited Atonement Resistable Grace Fall from Grace Imparted Righteousness Full Salvation Three Kingdoms Anonymous Christianity A means of grace Some say convey grace Commanded by Christ (like UMC), others only symbols With a visible element Baptism Baptism Lord’s Supper Lord’s Supper Absolution Three functions of grace: Prevenient Justifying Sanctifying Points you to the means of Pr. Souhrada – grace: God’s external promises Baptism Pr. Schreckenghaust – Lord’s Supper Talk about their Absolution relationship with God Not based on you or your An eye on conversion and works, but on God and sanctification what He has done for you. Church as the Body of Christ Church as the Body of Christ Visible and invisible church Connectional Polity – Marks of the Church – pastors and congregation Preaching and the connected under a sacraments supervising body of bishops One divinely instituted Although bishops are seen office – the Preaching Office as humanly instituted, they or the Office of the Keys have authority. Auxiliary offices are rooted Bishops may ordain in the Office Life after Death Life after Death Bodily Resurrection Bodily Resurrection Amillennial Varying beliefs on millennialism UMC – realized millennialism Final Justification (some) Role of Women in the Role of Women in the Church Church Age of the earth Age of the earth Abortion Abortion In Vitro Fertilization In Vitro Fertilization Cohabitation Cohabitation Same-sex Marriage Same-sex Marriage Legalistic Piety – ex: Teetotalism (not the UMC) Sanctification is a progression Welch’s grape juice Special General Conference in Spring 2019 to discuss human sexuality. Related to Western Conference’s appointment of a bishop in a same-sex relationship. Often make the news for something crazy/ridiculous done by one of their clergy. Spawned perfectionist/holiness bodies like the Salvation Army and the Church of the Nazarene Rectoral Theory of Atonement Perfectionism – either by eradication or victorious life Sacraments – symbols only; believer’s immersion baptism, memorial meal, immediate grace Salvation Army has a military polity and say the sacraments are not necessary or permanent institutions .
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