Wesleyan Theology

[njspolk]

I had a request from Robert Pate to post some of my theological views. I'm not really sure how to tag people in posts yet, so if someone knows how to do that please chime in! I'm not gonna hit every topic because that would be obnoxious, but I'm going to hit the Church of the Nazarene's Preamble and the Trinity. I am a member of the Church of the Nazarene and I come from a Wesleyan-Holiness tradition. Most of us approach Christianity through Scripture, Reason (or Philosophy), Tradition, and Experience.
I will be mimicking most of the Church of the Nazarene's Articles of Faith, but I'll put my own opinions here and there. I'm more progressive in my theology than most Nazarenes, but I'm sure there are some Methodists that can back me up

Here is the Nazarene Manual's Preamble, which I am full agreement with: "In order that we may preserve our God-given heritage, the faith once delivered to the saints, especially the doctrine and experience of entire sanctification as a second work of grace, and also that we may cooperate effectually with other branches of the Church of Jesus Christ in advancing God’s kingdom..."

Triune God: I believe in one eternally existent, infinite God, Sovereign Creator and Sustainer of the universe; that He only is God, holy in nature, attributes, and purpose. The God who is holy love and light is Triune in essential being, revealed as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Revealed is the key word for me here. I am also a mystic, so the mysterious and untouchable God which is revealed in the Trinity, I believe also to have revealed God's Self through various religious traditions.

Evelyn Underhill, a damn good mystic scholar, claims that Christianity has the most sophisticated theology and doctrine in pointing back to who God has revealed God's Self to be. I assent to that, but I am not one who thinks that we have got everything right. Wesleyans believe that God is always revealing himself to humanity through the Holy Spirit and that the Spirit has been revealing itself to every human of every age. So even if as Christians we have gotten a better grasp of God's revelation, others have grasped things we haven't or things better than we have. (This is where the reason comes in)

For example: I believe that Mahayana Buddhists have grasped the concept of compassion more so than the Christian Church.

So, here go...

 

[Swifty357]

My grandparents were Nazarenes. I went there some as.a kid. I respect their take on holiness and being sanctified and sin free. But its undoable as a human. Any gospel mixed with works will drain the congregation of energy and the joy of their salvation. Also trying to be perfect creates backbiting and squabblea in church trying to get everyone to look elsewhere because everyone falls short.

 

[Ask Mr. Religion]

Actually, yours is the New Wesleyanism, having "reformed" Wesley's perfectionsim, versus Old Wesleyanism,..unless your Pastor leans towards Old Wesleyanism.

AMR

 

[Swifty357]

The first church of the Nazarene is the denomination my family go to. They used to be real strict on the women having their hair in buns, wearing dresses not pants, and no make up of any kind. In the late 70's early 80's they got a new reverend and loosened up on the dress code on the women they now can have make up and different hairstyles. Can wear drezss pants. Now the guys can get away with wearing jeans and a t shirt, which is used to be more formal wear like suits and dress shirts, ties, ect. They believe you can lose your salvation. A second blessing of sanctification where the believer becomes sinless like Christ. They are pre millenial, pre trib rapture futurists according to their eschatology. And a huge emphasis on free will as opposed to hard line predestination. They can be a lively sect with amens and praise the Lord's being shouted out during sermons. But no dancing in the spirit, slain in the spirit theatrics of pentacostal charismatic church's. They had an issue in our town of a couple people speaking in tongues during the service. It was not tolerated at all the deacons would forceable escort them out of the church. There is definitely a little bit of kjv only thought regarding the bible, but some of the younger members use the Niv, or Nkjv bible. Eternal torment in hell is taught and believed, with some real fire and brimstone sermons. My wife goes to the same chuch denomination as my family now, but in a different city. And we were married by a Nazarene minister. So my with my family roots in the church, and my wife and daughter being faithful church goers im still around their theology some. But as a mid acts dispensationalst i cant in good conscience go to the church anymore since in my opinion they are teaching error. There are lots of good people there though, who honestly try to attain perfection, which is impossible. But i guess is a noble goal. My wife is constantly harping on me to go to church with her. But like said i believe some of their doctrines like free will. But have to reject a works type gospel as being unbiblical. But i honor and respect and love the people who go there.

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