Methodism: Christian Perfection

American Christians today are prone to say, "I'm not perfect, just forgiven." A Methodist who took John Wesley's theology seriously would never say this. Yes, we have forgiveness in Christ, but that isn't the whole truth. Through the Holy Spirit we have the resources to love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and to love our neighbor as we do ourselves. That's the positive side. On the negative side, we also have the power to say NO to sin and YES to God.

Methodism: Assurance

A key teaching of John Wesley and the Methodist tradition is that we can have assurance of our salvation. Assurance is possible because it is rooted in who God is and what God has done, not in what we do.

Feasting With Jesus

In Luke 14, Jesus illustrates the way of the Kingdom of God works by telling the story of the Great Banquet. Many who are invited turn down that invitation, causing the Master to send his servants out to bring in others - especially those on the margins of society.

And Life Goes On...

What are the consequences of Jesus' resurrection? Just some new religious beliefs to add to our knowledge? Our names on a roll somewhere? Peter & the other disciples go back to their old ways, only to be permanently redirected by Jesus into carrying on his ministry of reconciliation. Life can't just go on as normal.