Questions

[Diane_Windsor]

While reading through this thread (http://www.christianforums.com/t1563301-methodist-church-reinstates-lesbian.html) some questions came up in my mind.

Can anyone explain what the Book of Discipline is? Is it like the UMC's version of the Code of Canon Law for RCs? Or, is it more like the Book of Common Prayer? Or somewhere in-between the two?

"Our beliefs are based on Scripture, Tradition, Reason, and Experience. Relying on any one alone will most times lead us astray." (sinner/saved's post (http://www.christianforums.com/showthread.php?p=15488085&postcount=57))

This brings up a question. Do Methodists believe in sola Scriptura (that the Bible is the sole infallible rule of faith)?

Diane
:wave:

[Qyöt27]

While reading through this thread (http://www.christianforums.com/t1563301-methodist-church-reinstates-lesbian.html) some questions came up in my mind.

Can anyone explain what the Book of Discipline is? Is it like the UMC's version of the Code of Canon Law for RCs? Or, is it more like the Book of Common Prayer? Or somewhere in-between the two?

"Our beliefs are based on Scripture, Tradition, Reason, and Experience. Relying on any one alone will most times lead us astray." (sinner/saved's post (http://www.christianforums.com/showthread.php?p=15488085&postcount=57))

This brings up a question. Do Methodists believe in sola Scriptura (that the Bible is the sole infallible rule of faith)?

Diane
:wave:
If I remember correctly, most of the codes describing the basic Methodist views on things came from the Book of Common Prayer. Methodism came out of Anglicanism, and the connection does crop up quite prominently in a few areas.

I guess it depends on what you mean by infallible. I know that some UMs would hold to only the original Hebrew and Greek manuscripts as being infallible translations (on matters of faith, it would take deep research into whatever translational errors/inconsistencies could have changed connotation in the verse; context and original intent play a huge role). Scripture takes priority; if it doesn't speak on an issue, Tradition comes into play, Reason and Experience help to determine interpretation. Tradition also sets a filter through which Reason and Experience are viewed as well.

I personally wouldn't say Methodists adhere to sola Scriptura, but Scripture is given the highest priority.

Disclaimer: those are my own personal views on the topic. It may differ if you ask someone else. Methodists are kind of known for that.

[Diane_Windsor]

I guess it depends on what you mean by infallible. I know that some UMs would hold to only the original Hebrew and Greek manuscripts as being infallible translations (on matters of faith, it would take deep research into whatever translational errors/inconsistencies could have changed connotation in the verse; context and original intent play a huge role). Scripture takes priority; if it doesn't speak on an issue, Tradition comes into play, Reason and Experience help to determine interpretation. Tradition also sets a filter through which Reason and Experience are viewed as well.

I personally wouldn't say Methodists adhere to sola Scriptura, but Scripture is given the highest priority.

Perhaps I can make my question more clear. Is Scripture the standard by which all things are judged by? If Reason, Tradition, and Exprience contradict Scripture then does Scripture trump them?

Thanks,
DW
:wave:

[Qyöt27]

Perhaps I can make my question more clear. Is Scripture the standard by which all things are judged by? If Reason, Tradition, and Exprience contradict Scripture then does Scripture trump them?
I think in a case like that the person would look into why the other three are contradicting Scripture. Considering that Tradition is generally Scripturally-founded, it may just be rethinking how the verse in question is supposed to be interpreted. If there was a contradiction, it would most likely be seen as the Scripture was misread and more study is needed. The other three would also be reexamined for any possible errors or misapplication.

[sinner/SAVED]

Wesleyan Quadrilateral, the The phrase which has relatively recently come into use to describe the principal factors that John Wesley believed illuminate the core of the Christian faith for the believer. Wesley did not formulate the succinct statement now commonly referred to as the Wesley Quadrilateral. Building on the Anglican theological tradition, Wesley added a fourth emphasis, experience. The resulting four components or "sides" of the quadrilateral are (1) Scripture, (2) tradition, (3) reason, and (4) experience. For United Methodists, Scripture is considered the primary source and standard for Christian doctrine. Tradition is experience and the witness of development and growth of the faith through the past centuries and in many nations and cultures. Experience is the individual's understanding and appropriating of the faith in the light of his or her own life. Through reason the individual Christian brings to bear on the Christian faith discerning and cogent thought. These four elements taken together bring the individual Christian to a mature and fulfilling understanding of the Christian faith and the required response of worship and service.

Source: A Dictionary for United Methodists, Alan K. Waltz, Copyright 1991, Abingdon Press. Used by Permission.

Copied from UMC.org

[sinner/SAVED]

Book of Discipline, The A fundamental book outlining the law, doctrine, administration, organizational work and procedures of The United Methodist Church. Each General Conference amends The Book of Discipline, and the actions of the General Conference are reflected in the quadrennial revision. Often referred to as The Discipline.

Source: Sharing God's Gifts Glossary of United Methodist Terms
http://umcgiving.org/content/glossary.asp (http://umcgiving.org/content/glossary.asp)

Copied from umc.org

[Diane_Windsor]

I am still confused onto whether or not Methodists would agree that if anything contradicts Scripture then Scripture would trump it.

Oh well, we go to plan B:

Does anyone know of any Methodist authors who can explain if Methodists (in general) adhere to sola Scriptura as taught by the Reformers (Luther, Calvin, etc.)?

Thanks

diane
:wave:

[sinner/SAVED]

The Articles of Religion of the Methodist Church V-VIII

Article V—Of the Sufficiency of the Holy Scriptures for Salvation

http://www.umc.org/uploads/images//about_believe_standardspgtwo_lg(1).jpgThe Holy Scripture containeth all things necessary to salvation; so that whatsoever is not read therein, nor may be proved thereby, is not to be required of any man that it should be believed as an article of faith, or be thought requisite or necessary to salvation. In the name of the Holy Scripture we do understand those canonical books of the Old and New Testament of whose authority was never any doubt in the church. The names of the canonical books are:

Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, Ruth, The First Book of Samuel, The Second Book of Samuel, The First Book of Kings, The Second Book of Kings, The First Book of Chronicles, The Second Book of Chronicles, The Book of Ezra, The Book of Nehemiah, The Book of Esther, The Book of Job, The Psalms, The Proverbs, Ecclesiastes or the Preacher, Cantica or Songs of Solomon, Four Prophets the Greater, Twelve Prophets the Less.

All the books of the New Testament, as they are commonly received, we do receive and account canonical.

Copied from umc.org