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Feltonmethodismsot17.Pdf Abstract “METHODISM 101: THEOLOGY THROUGH CHARLES WESLEY’S HYMNS” JOSHUA STUART FELTON Project under the direction of Professor Joe Burnett Why should United Methodist members care about their Christian foundational beliefs? United Methodist members know less and less about the theology of the church. Charles Wesley’s hymns, specifically those in The United Methodist Hymnal, grounded in Methodist theology. This study utilized Wesley’s hymns, found in The United Methodist Hymnal to instruct the learner about foundational United Methodist beliefs. The aim of the study was to use the hymns to increase knowledge in a believer’s faith, which leads to a deeper relationship with God. This, in turn, motivates the believer to witness and use their gifts to serve others within the church and their communities. A program model of a church group study was used to encourage the education in the United Methodist doctrine. The studies were held on Wednesday evenings at a rural Appalachian church, Central United Methodist, in Bean Station, Tennessee. Central United Methodist Church averages sixty-four attendees per Sunday morning service. This program was ten sessions in length, lasting 1-1.5 hours each. The study was a lecture-style approach with Power Point visuals, along with audio and video of Charles Wesley’s hymns from The United Methodist Hymnal. Furthermore, a written pre-test was administered prior to the study starting time and then a written post-test was administered at the end of the lecture to assess if learning had increased. Average attendance was twenty-two individuals. The average pre-test grade was 40.9%, and the average post-test grade was 88.7%. The ten session titles, along with their respective hymns from The United Methodist Hymnal, are as follows: Introduction to Charles Wesley/Trinity/God the Father (Maker), (“Maker in Whom We Live”); Jesus Christ, (“Hark the Herald Angels Sing”); Holy Spirit, (“Spirit of Faith, Come Down”); Prevenient Grace, (“Come, Sinners, to the Gospel Feast”); Justifying Grace, (“And Can It Be that I Should Gain”); Sanctifying Grace and Perfection, (“Love Divine, All Loves Excelling”); The Means of Grace, (several hymns, see session 7); The Sacraments, (communion –“O the Depth of Love Divine,” baptism – “Come, Let Us Use the Grace Divine”); The Church, (“Christ, from Whom All Blessings Flow”); Resurrection of Saints/Concluding Statements on Charles Wesley’s Life, (“Come, Let Us Join Our Friends Above”). Developing a deeper knowledge of the key concepts of United Methodist doctrine is vital for a Christian’s foundational understanding of their faith. Targeting individual concepts in the Christian faith through dissecting Charles Wesley’s hymns gives the learner insight to why they believe what they believe. Increasing their knowledge could have a profound impact on their faith development. The Trinity/God the Father (Maker) teaches about who the Trinity is: God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit, and the Maker, meaning God is the creator of humanity. Next, the learner understands that Jesus is the reconciler between humanity and God, as well as our redeemer through his crucifixion and resurrection. Furthermore, the Holy Spirit makes God known to the unbeliever and inspires the Christian’s faith. Through prevenient grace, the learner can understand that God loved all humanity before humanity understood they needed it, God welcomes all into a relationship through salvation. Justifying grace shows the learner that by accepting God’s love through faith in Jesus Christ, one is saved from sin. Sanctifying grace and perfection is striving to live out the love of God in one’s life. The learner is taught the means of grace are channels to experience God’s grace through prayer, worship, fasting and scripture. Through the sacraments of communion and baptism, the learner understands the importance of remembering Christ’s crucifixion and their own commitment to God and the church. Session nine on the nature of the church instructs learners in the significance of keeping Jesus Christ the head of the church, and the importance of unity among the church members. In the resurrection of the saints session, the learner understands more about eternal life and Christ’s second coming. In conclusion, Methodism 101: Theology through Charles Wesley’s Hymns was a study to promote increased learning about the United Methodist doctrine utilizing Charles Wesley’s hymns in The United Methodist Hymnal. Approved Date Adviser Date Second Reader Methodism 101: Theology through Charles Wesley’s Hymns by Joshua Stuart Felton Submitted to the Faculty of the School of Theology of the University of the South in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Ministry May, 2017 Sewanee, Tennessee Approved Date Adviser Date Second Adviser Contents Introduction 1 Session 1: Introduction to Charles Wesley/Trinity/God the Father (Maker) 3 Session 2: Jesus Christ 19 Session 3: Holy Spirit 30 Session 4: Prevenient Grace 40 Session 5: Justifying Grace 49 Session 6: Sanctifying Grace and Perfection 58 Session 7: The Means of Grace 70 Session 8: The Sacraments 82 Session 9: The Church 103 Session 10: Resurrection of Saints/Concluding Statements on Charles Wesley’s Life 116 Conclusion 132 Appendix A 134 Appendix B 137 Bibliography 138 Introduction Ernest S. Lyght, retired bishop in the Greater New Jersey Annual Conference, states the following about the current reality in regards to United Methodist believers, Over the years there has been a constant dumbing down of our worship experiences; thus, the common forum for learning our theology has been diluted by the frequent absence of United Methodist hymnody, Wesleyan doctrine, affirmations of faith, prayers of confession, and the Social Principles. This is exacerbated by an ever-diminishing denominational loyalty. A lack of theological formation among clergy and laity further weakens the people called United Methodists. A fervent UM theology that nurtures our heads and hearts will guide our hands and feet in our witness.1 Oftentimes, individuals join The United Methodist Church from another denomination without understanding Methodism. Even those United Methodist members who have gone through confirmation may have forgotten or not fully understood the foundational Methodist beliefs. Also, other denominational beliefs may trickle down from another prominent denomination in the area, promoting their beliefs into the local Methodist church. Utilizing Charles Wesley’s hymns, the following study brings to light the dilemma of the decreasing knowledge of what it means to be a United Methodist. Often, individuals may underestimate the power of hymns, thinking they are just poetic words routinely sung during worship; however, Charles Wesley’s hymns address key United Methodist doctrine. The following study dissects Charles Wesley’s lyrics, identifying crucial components of Methodism. The ten session titles, along with their respective hymns from The United Methodist Hymnal, are as follows: Introduction to Charles Wesley/Trinity/God the Father (Maker), (“Maker in Whom We Live”); Jesus Christ, (“Hark the Herald Angels Sing”); Holy Spirit, (“Spirit of Faith, Come Down”); Prevenient Grace, (“Come, Sinners, to the Gospel Feast”); Justifying Grace, (“And Can It Be that I Should Gain”); Sanctifying Grace and Perfection, (“Love Divine, All Loves Excelling”); The Means of Grace, (several hymns, see session 7); The Sacraments, (communion 1 Ernest S. Light, 2012, “Holy Conversation,” in Ministry Matters, April 1, 2016, www.ministrymatters.com/all/entry/5803/holy-conversation. 1 - “O the Depth of Love Divine,” baptism – “Come, Let Us Use the Grace Divine”); The Church, (“Christ, from Whom All Blessings Flow”); Resurrection of Saints/Concluding Statements on Charles Wesley’s Life, (“Come, Let Us Join Our Friends Above”). This study is a ten session program presented in a lecture style along with Power Point presentations and approximately one hour in length. Participants are given a pre-test and a post- test to observe if learning has occurred. Questions for each session are listed in the appendix. Developing a deeper knowledge in the key concepts of the United Methodist belief is vital for a Christian’s foundational understanding of their faith. Targeting individual concepts in the Christian faith through dissecting Charles Wesley’s hymns gives the learner insight to why they believe what they believe. Increasing their knowledge will have a profound impact on their faith development. 2 Session 1 Introduction to Charles Wesley/Trinity/God the Father (Maker) Introduction to Charles Wesley John 1: 35-42 states, The next day John again was standing with two of his disciples, and as he watched Jesus walk by, he exclaimed, ‘Look, here is the Lamb of God!’ The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus. When Jesus turned and saw them following, he said to them, ‘What are you looking for?’ They said to him, ‘Rabbi’ (which translated means Teacher),‘where are you staying?’ He said to them, ‘Come and see.’ They came and saw where he was staying, and they remained with him that day. It was about four o’clock in the afternoon. One of the two who heard John speak and followed him was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. He first found his brother Simon and said to him, ‘We have found the Messiah’(which is translated Anointed). He brought Simon* to Jesus, who looked at him and said, ‘You are Simon son of John. You are to be called Cephas’ (which is translated Peter).2 This Biblical passage can be used to compare the brothers Andrew and Simon Peter to the brothers Charles and John Wesley. Andrew led Peter to Christ, whereas Charles led John into the Holy Club (beginning of Methodism) he founded.3 Both Andrew and Charles Wesley wanted their brothers to be a part of what they were experiencing. Furthermore, Peter is better known and mentioned more in the Bible than his brother Andrew.
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