(Some More Wesleyan "Conjunctive" Theology) Local and World-wide Church Church is not an abstract concept. Though it is true that Christianity has always affirmed that it includes both the living and the dead (Hebrews' "great cloud of witnesses"), any understanding of church that is not also grounded in a specific, local context, is not a … Continue reading Why I am United Methodist Part V
Conjunction-junction ... whats your Function? (continued) Head and Heart It is often said the farthest distance on any human body is the distance between one's head and one's heart. Wesleyan theology emphasizes a Christian spirituality that holds the two together. Ours is not an anti-intellectual faith that requires one to "check your mind at the … Continue reading Why I am United Methodist Part IV
Conjunction-Junction ... What's your Function? In my first two posts in this series, I have been doing some denominational apologetics for those who wrongly assume that "institutions" and "denominations" are passe and irrelevant. To paraphrase Neuhaus in his book Freedom for Ministry: I have never understood those who want to be rid of the institutional … Continue reading Why I am United Methodist – Part III
The Non-Denominational Denomination In the first installment in this series, I addressed “what is in a label,” ending with the unavoidable conclusion that, like it or not, we all have particular histories behind our labels, names, and communal stories that cannot be shed, despite the impulse to succumb to the generic individualism of our times. … Continue reading Why I am United Methodist – Part II
What's in a label? There is a trend in the church planting circles these days. “Shed the labels.” In order to reach a market that prefers generic Christianity over “name brand” versions, most denominations have jumped on the label dropping band wagon with little thought or reflection. And why not? The sentiment is certainly understandable. … Continue reading Why I am United Methodist – Part I
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