Question about UMC's 25 Articles...

[VolRaider]

My girl is set to be confirmed next year. My question - do candidates have to accept the 25 Articles?
Although I grew up Episcopalian, I find the wording concerning transubstantiation and the invocation of the saints to be very un-Christian and cancerous to the spirit of ecumenism with our Catholic and Orthodox brethren.
If my child has to accept these articles, I'm gone.

 

[Historicus]

As of the 2012 BoD there is a footnote in the Articles of Religion that says: "4. For the contemporary interpretation of this and similar articles (i.e., Articles XIV, XV, XVI, XVIII, XIX, XX, and XXI) in consonance with our best ecumenical insights and judgments, see "Resolution of Intent: With a View to Unity" Book of Resolutions, 2008, p. 292 (Book of Discipline of the United Methodist Church, 2012, pg. 66)."

I don't have access to a BoR at the moment, but from memory I think it now regards these sections as being within a historical context of the reformation and not necessarily contemporary. Maybe someone with a BoR can clarify this. The UMC website used to have this resolution and note within the webpage but its gone with the redesign.

I've never heard of anyone being questioned as to whether they agree with the doctrinal standards for membership. In fact, the only doctrine that one has to subscribe to as part of the Profession of Faith is the Apostles Creed. The membership vows just ask about supporting the church with your "prayers, presence, gifts, service, [and witness.]" So I would say no, your daughter doesn't have to accept them in order to be confirmed.

 

[hedrick]

For the current understanding of communion, see This Holy Mystery: A United Methodist Understanding of Holy Communion - GBOD | Equipping World-Changing Disciples

The Methodist Church is an offshoot of the Anglicans. The articles of religion are based on the Anglican articles. In particular, the section on communion looks identical to me. Anglican history is complex, with both Protestant and Catholic influences being influential at varying times. That particular section is clearly Protestant, reflecting controversies from the Reformation. The current Anglican understanding is not so aggressively Protestant, but tends to see communion as a mystery, which can be understood in different ways. The Methodist document I just referred to takes a similar view. Both are more receptive to traditional Catholic ideas, though they certainly aren't specifically Catholic.

 

[GraceSeeker]

I would confirm Historicus's interpretation of role of the 25 Articles in the UMC today. And actually one does not even have to confess the Apostles' Creed. Though it will likely be used as a part of the liturgy, we are not a confessional church. The vows are not to any set creed, but simply questions which, when answered in the affirmative, allow the one being confirmed to affirm his/her own faith.