Another Reason Why I will Stay United Methodist

 

Another reason why I am staying with the United Methodist Church is that they respect my conscience as to my hermeneutical approach to Scripture.

I know for sure that the Bible was not written seventy years ago by Billy Graham in America in English.

It was written roughly 2000 (plus) years ago, in different languages, in very different cultures.

I seek the original “on the scroll” context and meaning at the time it was written rather than a prima facia “it means what it says and it says what it means” understanding.

Contemporary translations and cultural conditions can cause us to misread original context and intent.

For example, Jeremiah 8:8 (and this is a truly intriguing verse)…

“‘How can you say, “We are wise,
    for we have the law of the Lord,”
when actually the lying pen of the scribes
    has handled it falsely?

If I were to take a literal and prima facia understanding of those words, I would have to conclude that we cannot at all trust the Law as written in Exodus and Leviticus. The words in verse 8, without seeking a proper context, pretty explicitly tell us that the scribes have handled it falsely.

But, if we take into consideration the fuller context of Jeremiah and the idolatry described in that book, we may get to a workable view-point that the King or leadership at the time was pressuring the scribes to write the Law such that it would accommodate the King’s policies.

Another really fun one for the literal and prima facia reader…

Deuteronomy 23 ¹² Designate a place outside the camp where you can go to relieve yourself. ¹³ As part of your equipment have something to dig with, and when you relieve yourself, dig a hole and cover up your excrement. ¹⁴ For the Lord your God moves about in your camp to protect you and to deliver your enemies to you. Your camp must be holy, so that he will not see among you anything indecent and turn away from you.

If your restroom is in your home, aren’t you incompliant with the Law?

Well, as I said, I take into consideration the context, the times, and the purpose of the Scripture, and so I have a restroom at home. Two as a matter of fact.

So, my approach to preaching and teaching Scripture is to first, as best I can without having coffee and discussion with Moses or Apostle Paul, determine the likely original meaning and context. Then, with faithful intent, apply the lesson to contemporary situations.

When I was very young, I was in a denomination that dictated how the Bible was to be read, with no personal room for interpretation or Holy Spirit inspiration.

When I was a teenager and young adult I was in a denomination that insisted that the pastor was the ultimate authority of Scripture.

None of us have Moses or the Apostle Paul to ask clarifying or confirming questions.

But you know, the United Methodist Church also respects the hermeneutical approach of preachers who reach more toward a prima facia understanding of the Scripture. Those folk also may preach from their conscience.

Therefore, I appreciate the humble approach that the United Methodist Church takes toward faithful interpretation of Scripture.

Whenever I compose a sermon, I review it with the Articles of Religion in mind as a measure of quality control and doctrinal integrity.

And for the record, when I read or speak the Apostle’s Creed, I intend the words in their most literal meaning.

I have never met a United Methodist clergy person who believes those words in the figurative sense.

I will stay with the United Methodist Church where we have open hearts that change hearts, open minds that can reason with each other, and open doors that do not close on disputable matters (Romans 14:1).

Why I Will Stay United Methodist

 

    One reason, among many, why I will be staying with the United Methodist Church is that, just as Jesus got out of the synagogue to do the practical work of divinity, the United Methodist Church stands up from the pew and gets out of the sanctuary to heal, feed, and clothe.

   This is in stark contrast to any church, local, or denominational, that would stay in the sanctuary seeking an inward focus such that it could proclaim “Look how holy we are!”

    The United Methodist Church, seeking to be faithful to the teachings and modeling of Christ, operates well connected agencies such as United Methodist Committee on Relief and Church and Society, to achieve on a community, national, and international level what local congregations cannot do by themselves.

Local congregations can do only so much. Most congregations are on incomes as fixed as those of retired folk. And yet most are very faithful with their tithe to Conference and District.

That is why it is helpful to be in a well-connected system such as the Indiana Conference of the United Methodist Church. The Conference “Diversity, Missions, and Justice” ministry can leverage whatever giving we submit so as to fulfill the teachings of Jesus to help the needy.

The local church cannot, on its own, fulfil the mission of “feeding five thousand.” But, through faithful tithing and contributions, the Conference can achieve the miracle.

For people who seek to do the will of Jesus beyond the pew, the United Methodist Church is the place to be.

If Jesus had stayed in the synagogue reading and speaking the Law regarding stoning adulterous people, he would never have been available to show compassion to the woman caught in adultery (John 8:1-11).

If Jesus had fortressed himself within the synagogue seeking to comply with synagogue official’s views on the Sabbath, he would not have broken with tradition to heal a man with a shriveled hand (Matt. 12:10).

If Jesus had sequestered his spirituality to the gentile-exclusive synagogue, he would never have healed a demoniac gentile in the region of the Gerasenes (Luke 8: 26-39).

Like Jesus, the United Methodist Church gets out of the sanctuary and meets people where they are!

The United Methodist Church…transforming the world.

And so yes, I will continue to participate!