Below are summary statements on key points of Christian thought and practice from a Wesleyan perspective.
This list is not exhaustive.
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GOD
Triune: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Omnipotent, omnipresent and omniscient.
Holy, righteous, just and loving.
Immanent, transcendent, eternal, immutable and self-existing.
Sovereign.
Note: I reject the notion of impassibility. God has emotions. God is not, however, controlled by them.
Note: I reject “Eternal Subordination of the Son.” This is a sub-Arian heresy used to justify and build up a form of complementarianism not found in Scripture, i.e. that the Son’s subordination to the Father is “proof” that women will be subordinate to all men for eternity and this was God’s design and intent from the beginning. The Son was subordinate to the Father for a time – during the Incarnation. This was an utterly unique moment in history and should not be taken as evidence for hierarchy within the Trinity.
Note: As I have grown in my faith, I have made a turn away from using male pronouns for God, unless specifically talking about Jesus or quoting Scripture. God is sexless and genderless. Using God/Christ/Lord/etc. instead of “He” or “Him” also helps me to remember that God is Other, and above me.
SCRIPTURE
The Old and New Testament Scriptures are an authentic, Divinely-inspired and reliable record of events, people, places, etc.. Collectively known as the Bible, these Scriptures contain nothing but truth. They teach all that is necessary to faith and Christian living.
CREATION
God made everything and everyone ex nihilo. That is the point of the creation account, not the mechanisms God used in making everything and everyone. The “days” of Genesis 1 & 2 do not have to be interpreted in a strictly literal sense in order to maintain Christian faith (i.e. they may not have been seven 24-hour periods), which means that so-called “Old Earth” or “Progressive” creationists are not heterodox in their beliefs, nor are they promoting or accepting materialistic evolutionary theory. Additionally, Genesis 1-12 should not be read with the assumption that events follow one another in an immediate fashion; it is reasonable to believe that there were stretches of time that we know nothing about.
SIN
To sin is to violate God’s law. It is to say, in essence, that God is not in charge.
SINFUL NATURE
Humanity is sinful. All are born with a fallen nature and possess a drive to rebel against God. While the image of God within humanity was not fully erased upon the introduction of sin into the world, we must think of ourselves as being fundamentally warped. Without the redemptive action of God in our lives, we will lead lives that are marked by selfish, rebellious and evil patterns.
ATONEMENT
Sin separates man from God. Humans cannot bridge this gap. Therefore, God the Father sent God the Son, Jesus Christ, fully God and fully man, to live perfectly (or “fulfill the Law”) and offer Himself as a sacrifice. Jesus was crucified, buried for three days and rose again.
OFFER
The sacrifice of Jesus Christ is offered to the whole of humanity, regardless of race, sex, gender, class, ethnicity or past. Anyone may come to God through Jesus.
EXTENT
Though salvation is offered to all, the atoning work of Christ is sufficient only for those who repent and submit to Christ. Salvation is not universal.
ENABLED
Due to the sinful nature of man, it is impossible to choose God without God granting us the ability to do so. The loving action of the Holy Spirit known as prevenient grace, or the grace that goes before, prepares and enables the sinner to choose God.
FAITH
Complete trust or confidence in God.
REPENTANCE
Repentance is required for a restored relationship with God. To repent is turn away from something. In doing so, we acknowledge the depth of our depravity and ask Jesus to apply the work of the Cross and Resurrection to our lives. We submit to Christ’s rule over every aspect of our lives. We commit to rejecting sin and obeying God.
JUSTIFICATION
When we submit to Jesus in faith, believing that Jesus died and rose again, we are made right before God.
REGENERATION
Upon justification, one is regenerated, or made new in Christ.
SEALED
The Holy Spirit dwells within believers and speaks to them to convict, guide and comfort; as such, there is room for nothing and nobody else. Believers cannot be demon-possessed.
SANCTIFICATION
Believers are enabled by God to have victory over sin. We do not have to live defeated lives and should not continue in willful sin if we are in relationship with Christ. We are to be submitted to Christ, recognizing that God has the authority to create the boundaries and define the way. This, of course, does not mean that we will never sin again. It does, however, mean that the overall pattern and habit of our lives is to be one one of obedience to the Lord.
WORKS
Our faith in shown in our works, or how we live. Thus the Christian life should be marked by growth in grace and love toward all, a firm commitment to sharing the truth of the Good News and the eschewing of sin.
SOCIAL JUSTICE
Christians are called to speak for the voiceless, defend the oppressed and care for the widow and the orphaned. We engage in the difficult conversations related to racial and economic reconciliation.
PACIFISM
Christian faith should lead the individual to commit to peace. Violence and the taking of human life is contradictory to the Gospel.
Note: While this is my firm conviction and I do not understand how others draw a different conclusion, I fully respect and do not question the faith of men and women who choose to serve in the military or on the police force.
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Music, dance, drawing, painting, sculpture, architecture, writing, acting, comedy, etc. are to be celebrated, enjoyed (always with Philippians 4:8 in mind) and used in worship.
FOOD & DRINK
All things in moderation. Alcoholic beverages are not inherently evil.
MAN & WOMAN
In the making of everything and everyone, God made man and woman, both of whom reflect God’s image. Man and woman are entirely equal.
Man and woman are also complementary to each other. Each has strengths and weaknesses and needs the other in all areas: physical, mental, emotional. These strengths and weakness are varied; men are not always “this way” and women are not always “that way.” Men are not to dominate. Women are not to dominate.
EGALITARIAN
Men and women of all ages and backgrounds are called and gifted by God to serve God as God wills and pleases. It is not wrong for women to pursue higher education, work outside the home or serve in pastoral roles.
MARRIAGE & SEXUALITY
Sex, within the bounds of marriage, is a good gift. Sexual development as part of the maturing process is a good gift. Christians must get over squeamishness about sex and discuss it in an open, healthy way.
Scripture condemns sexual relations outside the bounds of one man and one woman in marriage. This does not mean that those with other attractions cannot be saved. The attraction itself is not sinful. It is important for all of God’s people to submit themselves to God’s sexual ethic, trusting that God is right in determining boundaries.
LGB people are no more in need of grace than anyone else. Their sins are not worse than those of others. Members of the Body who believe that celibacy is the God-honoring choice for LGB people should faithfully surround these brothers and sisters in order to encourage and support them both in their walk with Christ and in practical aspects, such as providing care for them when ill.
FAMILY SIZE
Children are a blessing, not a requirement. Though the normative marital relationship will result in the procreation of children, the infertile and those couples who choose to not have children are not condemned by God. There is no commandment regarding family size or the use of birth control in Scripture. Such decisions are between the couple and God.
ABORTION
My stance on abortion flows naturally out of pacifism. I can find no justification for one human being ending the life of another human being. Men and women who freely consent to sexual intercourse should accept responsibility for the creation of life. This said, Christians can disagree on when exactly life begins and remain faithful to God.
There are real complications in pregnancy that endanger the life of the mother. The decisions involved in such scenarios are between the mother, her doctor, and God. Abortion is not the unforgivable sin.
Women who have suffered the gross violation of rape or the abuse of incest should have immediate access to emergency contraception, i.e. the “morning after” pill, when such violations have occurred. Their violators should be immediately prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
Finally, the overturn of Roe v. Wade or picketing outside Planned Parenthood clinics accomplishes nothing. The issue is much large than that. A pro-life culture cannot be concerned only with the nine months within the womb. Christians must surround and uplift parents and their children. We must provide a culture of support. Instead of condemning and judging, we must show people the love and grace of God. We must open our homes and our hearts to those who clearly need us. We must provide alternatives to abortion and be willing to help. We must work toward equal pay for women, access to birth control, genuine healthcare reform, raising the minimum wage in correlation to the rising cost of living, etc.
ADOPTION
Christians should prayerfully and thoughtfully consider adoption – and not just adoption of “perfect” children. There are many who suffer in this world.
Everyone won’t be able to pursue this; just as there should be no judgment on the infertile or those who limit the size if their families by choice, so there should be no judgment on those who do not adopt.
SINGLENESS
Marriage is not required for salvation. Single Christians have a vital and unique role to play within the community of faith.
HEALING
God can and does heal miraculously. God also heals through medical treatment, nutrition and exercise. If healing does not come, if that is not part of God’s plan, then God will be faithful to pour out peace, patience and strength upon the suffering. It is wrong to believe that the sick are being punished for sin. It is equally wrong to assert that medical treatment and vaccinations are contrary to Christian faith.
STUDY
Christians need to study Scripture in order to avoid being deceived. This should not take place apart from the community of faith. It is important to receive the input of other believers, both within our own congregations and the long history of Christianity itself, to aid in a proper understanding and application of the text.
BIBLE TRANSLATION
All translations, in any language, published and supported by orthodox Christians will guide the reader to salvation and life, despite differences in translation philosophy (i.e. “word for word” or “thought for thought”).
ISRAEL
The church does not replace Israel. There is one plan of salvation, but that does not mean God has abandoned God’s covenant with God’s chosen people. God has shown and will continue to show Godself faithful on behalf of Israel, defined as the people of the ancient covenant, not necessarily the political state.
HEAVEN
Those who have repented of their sin and come under the authority of God will live eternally with God in Heaven, which is a real place.
HELL
Those who do not repent and acknowledge Jesus as Lord and Savior will be eternally separated from God in Hell, which is a real place. God does not “send people” to Hell. Those who spend eternity there do so because they freely chose to reject God’s saving hand.
ENDINGS
The Lord will one day return, the dead will be raised and the final judgment will take place.
For additional information, please consult the Church of the Nazarene Manual.