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DougHorton -> RE: Relation of Biblical world view to sanctification (6/3/2008 5:19:13 PM)
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A few passages quoted from Methodism by Dr. Richard P. Bucher
quote:
It must be pointed out, however, that Methodists are not required to subscribe to these doctrinal standards, and that throughout their history deeds have been more important than creeds, and a holy life more than doctrine. This is the opposite of Lutheranism.
For Methodists tradition, experience, and reason “informs” their reading of the Biblical message. Though Lutherans also value and use Church Tradition, and view reason as a gift of God in interpreting the Biblical text, we would never say that tradition, experience, or reason are a “source” of doctrine that “informs” our understanding of the Bible. For us Scripture must interpret Scripture first, then tradition, reason, and experience can be brought as additional confirmation. The emphasis on experience as a source of doctrine, has made Methodism vulnerable to a crass subjectivism that often leads to serious departures from Biblical doctrine (e.g., the Holiness, Charismatic, and Pentecostal bodies, which originated from Methodism).
The Bible
The United Methodist Church teaches that the Bible is the inspired Word of God, the primary source and criterion for Christian doctrine, and that it contains all that is necessary for salvation. They do not believe the Bible to be inerrant or infallible, as do Missouri Synod Lutherans (See F. Belton Joyner Jr., Being Methodist in the Bible Belt (Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press, 2004), 27.) As Lutherans do, Methodists emphasize a scholarly approach to the Scriptures.
Original Sin
Wesley taught that all human beings inherit Adam’s original sin and the corruption, and, as a result, they are “very far gone from original righteousness” (Articles of Religion, VII). This corruption or depravity is not total, according to Wesley. Wesley taught that, because of God’s prevenient grace, all people have freedom of the will to either choose Christ or reject him. Lutherans and Calvinists on the other hand, teach that as a result of original sin, all people have “lost” original righteousness, and that they are totally unable to contribute anything to their salvation. They do not have freedom of the will.
Salvation
Whereas in Lutheran theology the central doctrine and focus of all our worship and life is justification by grace through faith, for Methodists the central focus has always been holy living and the striving for perfection.
Note that Lutherans teach that neither prayer nor fasting nor abstinence is a means of grace. For us, a means of grace is an objective means through which God gives forgiveness and the strengthening of faith.
We might consider these points minor, but in the past, people have killed over them. I would say that would indicate a significantly different world view.
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