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Religion Forum Index » Christian Methodist Forum » Case: On Methodist Ethos
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 Posted: Sat Apr 03, 2004 7:59 am |
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On Methodist Ethos
By Dr. Riley Case
What is ³Methodist ethos?² Is there a way of thinking, believing, and
acting that makes United Methodists distinctive? Evidently, because The
Book of Discipline in para. 109 mentions that in ³connectionalism² a
common ethos characterizes our distinctive way of doing things. But what
is it?
There is no doubt what it once was. John Wesley wrote ³The Character of
a Methodist² with the understanding that Methodists were marked from
those around them by the very quality and character of their lives.
Later, in America, Methodists were those who dressed plainly, who
testified to being ³born again,² and who joined the cause against
liquor, and, in many places, against slavery.
Methodists shouted ³Amen² and spoke about ³free grace,² ³backsliders,²
³praying through,² ³the blood of Jesus,² ³prevenient grace,² ³full
surrender,² ³witness of the Spirit,² and ³the second blessing.²
Methodists gave the world the altar call, the mourner¹s bench, the class
meeting, and the protracted meeting. ³Methodist music² was identified
not only as the hymns of Wesley but the spiritual--black and white--and
the gospel hymn identified with Fanny Crosby, E.S. Lorenz, Ira Sankey,
and Homer Rodeheaver. Circuit Riders and ³itinerant preachers² were a
Methodist invention. Methodist places were named Wesley, Asbury,
Aldersgate, Epworth, Albright, and Otterbein.
Methodist preaching helped define the word ³evangelical² (see
definitions in older dictionaries). Methodism launched the Holiness
Movement in America and gave the churches the Social Creed. Methodism
transcended race and class. At one point in its history 20% of all
Methodists were of African-American descent.
All this together helped to make up ³Methodist ethos.²
However, as our tradition has unfolded our ethos has changed. The dress
and language and habits of the past no longer are the dress and language
and habits of the present.
So we have some new claims to ³United Methodist ethos.² Some would
identify our ³ethos² as a kind of liberal broad-mindedness and
inclusiveness in which there is no center and, in the end, no unique
ethos at all. All we can agree on is that we have nothing in common. To
be United Methodist means to believe in anything at all, or nothing at
all. Academic freedom takes precedence over any form of doctrinal
accountability in the teaching ministry. Doctrine is considered suspect
because it divides. Morality floats according to one¹s ³preferences.²
³Ethos at best is reduced to a kind of institutional loyalty. In the end
this is no ethos at all and it has led to our sense of disunity. We are
not a connectional people on a journey but an unconnected people
wandering in the wilderness.
Others would identify our ethos as a kind of ideological radicalism.
Weird things go on in the seminaries and in our boards and agencies and
we identify this weirdness as our ³ethos.² Our words are the jargon of
the social scientist. Our Book of Resolutions has enough bulk it can
serve as a doorstop. Political activism replaces theology. Our worship
language is neutered and butchered in service to political correctness.
We are Balkanized into caucus groups and divide the spoils by the quota
system. This image of United Methodists has alienated not only
outsiders, but also our own people.
It would be better to see ³ethos² not as an idealized conception of what
we want it to be, or worse, what a few would decree it to be and would
impose upon others, but simply--for good or ill--what is. What is is
fairly accessed by studies and surveys, or, in many instances, by
personal observation. With this in mind we note that United Methodists
are much more likely to vote Republican than Democrat. A large
percentage (over 60%) believe the Bible is the Word of God without
error. Our favorite hymns are ³Amazing Grace,² and ³O For a Thousand
Tongues to Sing² with ³Victory in Jesus² and ³Blessed Assurance² not far
behind.
Many of us believe in total abstinence from alcohol. In sexual
relationships we believe in celibacy in singleness and faithfulness in
marriage. We are hopeful because of Disciple Bible Study and Walk to
Emmaus. Along with other evangelical Christians we shop in Christian
bookstores and listen to Christian radio. We display the cross and flame
and are comfortable in other churches that display the cross and flame.
United Methodists as a people are not yet what we are supposed to be, or
what God would intend for us to be. But we do have a rich heritage,
which is a part of the evangelical tradition of American Protestantism.
That is our ³ethos.² |
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| Eric Fisher |
| Posted: Sat Apr 03, 2004 7:59 am |
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Guest
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well done.....
this is a very informative post. it resonates with what i've
experienced. |
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