Posts Tagged John Wesley
In the Mail: The Sound of (Methodist) Music….
Posted by Joel in Book Review on November 17, 2010
Thanks to Michael at the University of Illinois press,
Click to Order
From the product description:
Providing new insight into the Wesley family, the fundamental importance of music in the development of Methodism, and the history of art music in Britain, Music and the Wesleys examines more than 150 years of a rich music-making tradition in England. John Wesley and his brother Charles, founders of the Methodist movement, considered music to be a vital part of religion, while Charles’s sons Charles and Samuel and grandson Samuel Sebastian were among the most important English composers of their time. Exploring British concert life, sacred music forms, and hymnology, the contributors analyze the political, cultural, and social history of the Wesleys’ enormous influence on English culture and religious practices. Contributors are Stephen Banfield, Jonathan Barry, Martin V. Clarke, Sally Drage, Peter S. Forsaith, Peter Holman, Peter Horton, Robin A. Leaver, Alyson McLamore, Geoffrey C. Moore, John Nightingale, Philip Olleson, Nicholas Temperley, J. R. Watson, Anne Bagnall Yardley, and Carlton R. Young. Nicholas Temperley is professor emeritus of musicology at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and the author of The Music of the English Parish Church and other works. Stephen Banfield is Stanley Hugh Badock Professor of Music at the University of Bristol. His books include Sensibility and English Song: Critical Studies of the Early Twentieth Century.
My Response to ‘Save the UMC’: Saving the UMC – From Glenn Beck…
Posted by Joel in Religion and Politics on October 24, 2010
I saw this blip my newsfeed… and frankly it made me sick and angry and sick…
First, the story.
A group of lay members of the United Methodist Church have had enough. “It’s about time that the church got back to its main mission – saving souls and creating disciples for Christ” says Penny Monk, a life-long UMC member. Instead, they have taken a political path of so-called “social justice” which could eventually lead to the demise of the UMC according to Monk.
“Save the UMC” has been launched as a vehicle meant to change the suicidal path of the UMC, says Steve Wright of the savetheumc.org website. “We believe that most UMC members would be shocked to hear what a small but influential group of political partisans are up to in the church.”
According to the savetheumc.org website, the church’s reputation is being soiled by a weak stance on abortion, anti-Israel/pro-Palestinian statements, economic justice and social justice political talking points and support of Obamacare and other partisan issues. “The church has to get out of partisan politics and return to its Christian roots” according to another Save the UMC organizer, Nancy Erwin. (read the disservice to journalism here)
And then, I started to explore their website. And did some more looking around elsewhere…
It seems, however, that the Confessing Movement within the United Methodist Church has been connected to right wing think tanks before,
For the past two years, Media Transparency and the Boston Wesleyan Association have published research on a steady stream of attacks against the United Methodist Church (UMC) and other mainline American denominations carried out by conservative philanthropy sponsored institutions and people (Weaver, and Seibert, 2004 a, b; Weaver, Seibert and Kandeler 2005).
The primary actor in this unethical and mendacious attack is the Institute on Religion and Democracy (IRD), a political “think tank” that operates more like a shark in a fish tank as it attempts to undermine mainline Protestant ministries to form an unholy alliance with far-right politics (Swecker, 2005). (read the story here)
I know that I haven’t been a UMC member for long, and I don’t feel like I can speak from the UMC stand point, but I can from the stand point of a Christian first and then an American and what I see worries me in both areas. Further, I can from the point of a theologian. Yes, I am claiming that right.
I am really trying to be nicer on the blog, and attempt a better dialog… so I am trying not to pop off… but I am worried as I see this slip in more and more… it is the new Dominionism.
Anyway, so this new group wants to the save the UMC. They are asking people to sign a petition, which is harmless enough –
We, the undersigned lay members of this local UMC, do hereby state and affirm the following:
- The UMC should cease all public endorsements and financial support for lobbying, legislation and political rallies.
- No Bishop or spokesperson for any UMC Board or Agency should publicly support or oppose political candidates, parties, agendas or legislation in the name of the UMC.
- The leadership of the UMC should restore our Church’s proud heritage and reputation so that it may fulfill its singular mission of saving souls and making passionate disciples for Christ.
Okay.. so nothing wrong with that. Shoot, I might even agree to that. I mean, get the Church completely out of the political sphere… you know, where it cannot speak about abortion or gay marriage or anything else which may be ‘agendas’ or legislation.
But… then comes the real issues that they are combating found on another page which is not included on the petition…
1. Health Care Reform Bill – Support for this highly partisan bill was provided by the General Board for Church and Society of the UMC. “GBCS advocates for health care for all in the United States by focusing on a single-payer national health plan on the state and federal level.”
This was voted on, I am sure, in some way. Further, many Americans support this actually.
2. Reproductive rights – The UMC General Board for Church and Society is clear that they support the “legal option of abortion” in certain situations and “reproductive rights”. “We cannot affirm abortion as an acceptable means of birth control, and we unconditionally reject it as a means of gender selection”. Why don’t we “unconditionally reject” abortion for birth control?
Uh-huh. Someone is inventing boogy monsters here. Further, again, votes…
3. Israel – ”The United Methodist Church opposes continued military occupation of the West Bank, Gaza, and East Jerusalem, the confiscation of Palestinian land and water resources, the destruction of Palestinian homes, the continued building of illegal Jewish settlements….” Our friend and ally, Israel, appears to be the bad guy here.
Actually, in many ways, Israel is the ‘bad guy’ here. (Although admittedly, when you have missiles being thrown into your living room, it is difficult to turn the other cheek…) But tell me, do you support the continued military occupation of the West Bank, Gaza, and East Jerusalem, the confiscation of Palestinian land and water resources, the destruction of Palestinian homes, the continued building of illegal Jewish settlement by Israel and the forced ghettoization of the Palestinian people?
4. Iraq – “As people of faith we (UMC) raise our voices in protest against the tragedy of the unjust war in Iraq. We urge the United States government to develop and implement a plan for the withdrawal of its troops.”
This floors me. What is wrong with the Church asking for peace? You know, ‘blessed are the peace makers?’ Can you really support the death of hundreds of thousands of civilians in a war built on lies? Do they actually mean to say that they support the Iraq war?
5. Economic Justice – We are asked to “Prioritize the needs of the poor in budget and tax policies.” The Christian priority is to give to the poor but that is different from what the UMC appears to support by demanding citizens to give to the poor through government’s forced taxation.
I love the word ‘appears’, don’t you? That way, you can say anything. For example, Mike Hart, the ‘investigator’ for this group appears to take bribes from child molesters. Or, Mike Hart appears to beat his wife. Where is the proof that he doesn’t? This issue hasn’t been resolved yet, as it?
This irritates me! I mean, have they read John Wesley? I know that they haven’t read the bible, but at least they should read Wesley! They have no real clue as to what economic or social justice is, and I suspect that they have forgotten John’s appeal to coal miners, child labor, and slavery.
Oh, and they have their own dictionary….
WORDS MEAN THINGS
As you read, research, and listen you will become aware of certain words and phrases which are used by the Progressives in our church and the political realm—become familiar with some of the euphemisms they employ:
- Social/economic/environmental justice = redistribution of wealth/resources (uh… no.)
- Collective salvation = none saved unless all are saved (see Jn 14:6)
- Process theology = God is constantly evolving into something else (really?)
- Undocumented worker/immigrant/sojourner/visitor = illegal alien (actually, some of those are biblical terms)
- Liberation theology = Marxism (think Jeremiah Wright) (for a better view, see Rodney’s post, here and here)
- Women’s reproductive rights/family planning = Abortion (not always, but often)
Regarding Social Justice, I like what Roger Olsen has to say. Note especially what the comments contain…
Christian churches of all kinds should vocally condemn such implicit social Darwinism (which I believe lies behind the current condemnations of “social justice”). One church may prefer “soup, soap and salvation.” Another one may prefer “community development.” Yet another may prefer “liberation theology.” But all are into social justice in some way.
It is interesting that one commentator brought up the Confessing Movement within the UMC while another noted that MLK was considered a socialist/communist in the 60′s and now? A hero. Why? Because vitrolic speech is usually forgotten when the works of the person comes through. But, I digress.
Oh… and they quote the IRD… and I have to laugh when the site chastises a UMC bishop for talking about the unity of the Three Abrahamic faiths…
With Jewish, Muslim, and Christian attendees listening, UM Bishop Kenneth Carder spoke: “At the heart of our three great religions that are represented here this evening…is a God who knows the suffering of children.” He later continued, “The state of the least of these threatens the very vision portrayed by the God of Abraham, Jesus and Mohammed.” (Is anyone a little theologically confused?)
Say… I wonder if these guys have read Richard Land or Glenn Beck…. I doubt it. Because if they had, they would turn against them too (or at least in theory)… which is the way with fundamentalist revolutionaries, i.e., the French Revolution. Step back and examine it for a minute – they want to get away from partisanship, and yet they repeat the same talking points as Glenn Beck.. Their ‘issues’ are so far to the right that I’m unsure they could gain traction if they were on the edge of a cliff… oh wait. Bad image, because they are. From reading the history of the Confessing Movement, it is a hearkening back to the ancient rites, the patristic authors, to a paleo-orthodoxy, but it has been murdered and replaced with a political movement, foreign to the early Church Fathers, to John Wesley, and to the Gospel. Oh… and everyone still seems to think that the Manhattan Declaration is part of the Gospel…because this group, like the Confessing Group, urges people to sign it.
Personally, I think that the Church should focus on the Gospel and making disciples for the Kingdom of God which will recreate this world…If that actually happened, we wouldn’t need socialism, or liberation theology, or capitalism, or conservatism. The Kingdom of God is not any of these things. Maybe I don’t disagree that sometimes the focus has been lost on that singular important mission, but the hypocrisy and self-serving specter of this is disgusting.
The Eastern Orthodox Influence on Wesleyan Theology
Posted by Joel in Church Fathers, Reformation on October 20, 2010
- Image via Wikipedia
As a part of the assignment this week, we were asked to analyze briefly the similarities between John Wesley, his theology, and that of the East. In researching that, I found this article which may interest some of you –
It is generally recognized that the first four centuries of Christian tradition played a significant role in Wesley’s theology. What is not as often noted is that he tended to value the Greek representatives over the Latin. It was a preference he inherited from his father. It deepened during his Oxford years as he studied newly available editions of patristic writings with his fellow “Methodist” John Clayton.
As such, it is not surprising that Greek theologians predominate when Wesley gives lists of those he admires or recommends for study. Frequently cited were Basil, Chrysostom, Clement of Alexandria, Clement of Rome, Ephraem Syrus, Ignatius, Irenaeus, Justin Martyr, Origen, Polycarp and (Pseudo-)Macarius. By contrast, references to Augustine, Cyprian and Tertullian were relatively rare. Obviously, one important means for assessing Wesley’s indebtedness to and/or congeniality with the Eastern Orthodox tradition would be detailed studies of his use of and agreement with these early Greek fathers. A few such studies have appeared.
For example, K. Steve McCormick has studied Wesley’s use of John Chrysostom and argued that it was primarily through Chrysostom that Wesley came to his distinctive assessment of the Christian life as “faith filled with the energy of love.” Likewise, Francis Young has drawn attention to the way Chrysostom’s and Wesley’s preaching both balance grace and demand; thereby, suggesting parallels in their soteriology. Again, several scholars have suggested that Wesley modeled his tract The Character of a Methodist on Clement of Alexandria’s description of the perfect Christian in the seventh book of his Stromteis, though a detailed comparison has not yet been made….
You can find the rest of the article here.
Related articles
- A Good Enough Theology — Claing our Divine Image (Bruce Epperly) (pastorbobcornwall.blogspot.com)
- Report Finds Strong Growth In U.S. Orthodox Churches (huffingtonpost.com)
John Wesley to William Wilberforce – Do Something!
Posted by Joel in Religion and Politics on October 6, 2010
Our Pastor mentioned this on Sunday morning, so I had to find it. And finding it, I had to share it. And in sharing, I hope you enjoy it:
Balam, February 24, 1791
Dear Sir:
Unless the divine power has raised you us to be as Athanasius contra mundum, [2] I see not how you can go through your glorious enterprise in opposing that execrable villainy which is the scandal of religion, of England, and of human nature. Unless God has raised you up for this very thing, you will be worn out by the opposition of men and devils. But if God be fore you, who can be against you? Are all of them together stronger than God? O be not weary of well doing! Go on, in the name of God and in the power of his might, till even American slavery (the vilest that ever saw the sun) shall vanish away before it.
Reading this morning a tract wrote by a poor African, I was particularly struck by that circumstance that a man who has a black skin, being wronged or outraged by a white man, can have no redress; it being a “law” in our colonies that the oath of a black against a white goes for nothing. What villainy is this?
That he who has guided you from youth up may continue to strengthen you in this and all things, is the prayer of, dear sir,
Your affectionate servant,
John Wesley
Wesley was urging the prophetic mantle upon Wilberforce – and for today, the injustices we see today in society, there is still a mantle, but who will take it?
The Serious Man to John Wesley – Solitary Religion
Posted by Joel in Devotional on October 4, 2010
In today’s age, we are being hit with an onslaught of words and diatribes against ‘corporate religion’ – that belief that we are not saved alone, but saved together. If we are the Church of Jesus Christ, we are a corporate body, placed together, built together in a building, neatly framed, drawn together by the Spirit of the Living God. There is no corporation so effective as the Church – and no corporation which upholds individuality (such as the spiritual gifts) by joining people together as the Church. Yet, many, especially in the Wesleyan Tradition (that covers a lot, by the way) forget the conversation by the Serious Man with John Wesley.
Wesley’s motive never eludes us. In his early manhood, after being greatly affected by Jeremy Taylor’s “Holy Living and Dying” and the “Imitatio Christi,” and by Law’s “Serious Call” and “Christian Perfection,” he met “a serious man,” who said to him, ” Sir, you wish to serve God and go to heaven. Remember you cannot serve Him alone. You must therefore find companions or make them. The Bible knows nothing of solitary religion.” He was very confident, this serious man, and Wesley never forgot his message. ” You must find companions or make them. The Bible knows nothing of solitary religion.” These words forever sounded in Wesley’s ears, determining his theology, which rejected the stern individualism of Calvin, and fashioning his whole polity, his famous class meetings and generally gregarious methods. (Scribner’s Magazine – Vol 26)
While I might not characterize Calvinism as ‘stern individualism’ (sometimes, just the opposite), what Wesley was experiencing in the Anglican Church of his day was individualism – capitalist individualism – which disturbed him greatly. (For Mr. Wesley, I would suggest that it would be wrong to judge Calvin by his followers just as it is wrong to judge Mr. Wesley by his.) He saw that the Christians were concerned only with themselves, and not with the poor, downtrodden or the sinners.
I like Wesley’s polity and his focus on the small groups. These small groups are not mean to replace the larger corporate experience, but I know that those who make a point of meeting together weekly for prayer, fellowship, etc… are stronger and this strength must carry over to the congregation.
I was struck with this quote which was on the back of a card which I received from a fellow seminarian and a pastor from the Eastern Shore of Maryland. I hope it sticks with you as well.
John Wesley on the ‘catholic spirit’
It is very possible, that many good men now also may entertain peculiar opinions; and some of them may be as singular herein as even Jehonadab was. And it is certain, so long as we know but in part, that all men will not see all things alike. It is an unavoidable consequence of the present weakness and shortness of human understanding, that several men will be of several minds in religion as well as in common life. So it has been from the beginning of the world, and so it will be “till the restitution of all things.”
….
Every wise man, therefore, will allow others the same liberty of thinking which he desires they should allow him; and will no more insist on their embracing his opinions, than he would have them to insist on his embracing theirs. He bears with those who differ from him, and only asks him with whom he desires to unite in love that single question, “Is thy heart right, as my heart is with thy heart?”
Sermon 39 – Catholic Spirit.
I wonder if we could find such fellow believers where we would agree on the essentials – God, God in Christ, Salvation as unmerited gift – and allow for those things which have so previously divided us to actually give their place to those same essentials?
Great sermon by John Wesley. Hope you read it.
John Wesley on so close, but yet, so far away
Posted by Joel in Quotes, Reformation on September 11, 2010
But still a man may judge as accurately as the devil, and yet be as wicked as he.
