A Thinking Reed

Methodism – the true via media?

Written by

Lee M.

in

But then, Bishop Will Willimon is probably a little biased:

In his fine new book, Methodism: Empire of the Spirit, historian David Hempton shows that part of the genius of early Methodism was its ability to hold together seemingly contradictory ideas in its mind at one time. Against Calvinistic reductionism, we held together the universal salvation wrought by Christ and the need for a personal, life-changing commitment by each person. Against Lutheran reductionism, we held together justification and sanctification. Against Puritan anti-sacramentalism, we held together preaching and sacraments, the local congregation and the holy catholic church, free church and catholic forms of worship.

The Bishop also has some worthwhile things to say about not being “single-issue” Christians.

Comments

One response to “Methodism – the true via media?”

  1. Joshie

    After Grenz & Olson’s Who Needs Theology? I plan on teaching Paul Chilcote’s Recovering the Wesleys’ Vision. His thesis is basically the same as Willimon’s post, that Methodism is about balance.

    Actually I think a lot of that can be traced back to Methodism’s Anglican heritage as I’ve said here before, but whereas Anglicanism’s balance is represented by internal diversity, with Anglo-Catholics, TULIP Calvinists and even Charismatics within the Anglican tent, Methodism is doctrinally balanced and is held together by that balance rather than by history like the Anglican church is.

    This puts “confessional” Wesleyans in a bit of a pickle. Confessional Lutherans have sola scriptura and sola fides to rally around and Reformed-ers have the Westminster Confession and the doctrine of election to get wound up about, but all Wesleyans can do is charge forward crying, “Both/And!!!!”

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