I've heard a lot about the UMC's "Book of Discipline." Which is the focus of the UMC: the Bible, the Book of Discipline, or neither?
-
Starting today August 7th, 2024, in order to post in the Married Couples, Courting Couples, or Singles forums, you will not be allowed to post if you have your Marital status designated as private. Announcements will be made in the respective forums as well but please note that if yours is currently listed as Private, you will need to submit a ticket in the Support Area to have yours changed.
-
CF has always been a site that welcomes people from different backgrounds and beliefs to participate in discussion and even debate. That is the nature of its ministry. In view of recent events emotions are running very high. We need to remind people of some basic principles in debating on this site. We need to be civil when we express differences in opinion. No personal attacks. Avoid you, your statements. Don't characterize an entire political party with comparisons to Fascism or Communism or other extreme movements that committed atrocities. CF is not the place for broad brush or blanket statements about groups and political parties. Put the broad brushes and blankets away when you come to CF, better yet, put them in the incinerator. Debate had no place for them. We need to remember that people that commit acts of violence represent themselves or a small extreme faction.
Bible?
- Thread starter struggling89
- Start date
- Status
- Jan 29, 2006
- 7,721
- 228
- Country
- United States
- Gender
- Female
- Faith
- Christian
- Marital Status
- Married
- Politics
- US-Republican
The Bible comes first - typically Methodists use the Wesleyan Quadrilateral, which is: Scripture (the Holy Bible), Tradition (the two millennia history of the church), Reason (rational thinking) and Experience (our personal walk with Christ). The Book of Discipline is a guide for us (on various subjects that we deal with) and is based on all of the above - but always Scripture comes first.
Upvote
0
AngloWesleyan
Active Member
Based on my experience in the UMC, it was neither. Wesley, however, placed the Bible first and foremost.
Upvote
0
Definitely the BIBLE. Thanks to John Wesley, the Bible is the guide for the Methodist/Wesleyan movment. Tradition, expereince and reason help us understand and interpret it.
The Book of Discipline is just a rule book for church government. It is kind of boring, but it does helps us know about church committees, ordination standards, elections, etc. without having to recreate the wheel every time. Kind of like a Robert's Rules for Methodists! It's not perfect, but it gives us an agreed upon format for church structure and governance. That helps us be organized so we can focus on our primary mission of making disciples of Jesus Christ.
The Book of Discipline is just a rule book for church government. It is kind of boring, but it does helps us know about church committees, ordination standards, elections, etc. without having to recreate the wheel every time. Kind of like a Robert's Rules for Methodists! It's not perfect, but it gives us an agreed upon format for church structure and governance. That helps us be organized so we can focus on our primary mission of making disciples of Jesus Christ.
Upvote
0
herev
CL--you are missed!
a good understanding of our view on scripture as a source of our doctrine and theology was coined by a methodist theologian some time ago:
The Bible alone, but never alone
the Bible is first (the Quadralateral gives the notion that all four sides are equal, so Outler's naming it such comes under much scrutiny of late). the Bible is the source, however, it is viewed through the lenses of Tradition, Experience and Reason.
And the Discipline is NEVER elevated to the level of Scipture in any church I've ever attended, pastored, been associated with or even heard of.
The Bible alone, but never alone
the Bible is first (the Quadralateral gives the notion that all four sides are equal, so Outler's naming it such comes under much scrutiny of late). the Bible is the source, however, it is viewed through the lenses of Tradition, Experience and Reason.
And the Discipline is NEVER elevated to the level of Scipture in any church I've ever attended, pastored, been associated with or even heard of.
Upvote
0
Davis
Veteran
- Jul 23, 2005
- 1,695
- 64
- 46
- Faith
- Methodist
- Marital Status
- Married
- Politics
- US-Republican
The Bible.
The Book of Discipline like others have said is kind of just a book of how the church is run? I'm a Free Methodist and personally I have never even opened the book and our church doesn't put a lot of emphasis on doing so. I have been a member for almost five years now and never has it been used in worship or talked about in worship.
The Bible is very important and is up there at #1 in writtings.
The Book of Discipline like others have said is kind of just a book of how the church is run? I'm a Free Methodist and personally I have never even opened the book and our church doesn't put a lot of emphasis on doing so. I have been a member for almost five years now and never has it been used in worship or talked about in worship.
The Bible is very important and is up there at #1 in writtings.
Upvote
0
we5frogs
Child of God held in Jesus' hand
- Apr 26, 2005
- 858
- 68
- 67
- Faith
- Nazarene
- Marital Status
- Married
- Politics
- US-Republican
Sounds very much like the Nazarene Manual -
I have referred to it many times to be sure that we are following Nazarene protocol at meetings, or in helping someone understand a particular Nazarene doctrine, explaining church positions to those nominated - times like these. But as Davis said, it is never used or mentioned in worship - there are no claims that it is supernaturally inspired, and I have never once sought it out when seeking scripture to stand on in any situation.
I have referred to it many times to be sure that we are following Nazarene protocol at meetings, or in helping someone understand a particular Nazarene doctrine, explaining church positions to those nominated - times like these. But as Davis said, it is never used or mentioned in worship - there are no claims that it is supernaturally inspired, and I have never once sought it out when seeking scripture to stand on in any situation.
Upvote
0
- Status
Similar threads
