Product Description

John Wesley distinguished between essential doctrines on which agreement or consensus is critical and opinions about theology or church practices on which disagreement must be allowed. Though today few people join churches based on doctrinal commitments, once a person has joined a church it becomes important to know the historic teachings of that church's tradition.


In Methodist Doctrine: The Essentials, Ted Campbell outlines historical doctrinal consensus in American Episcopal Methodist Churches in a comparative and ecumenical dialogue with the doctrinal inheritance of other major families of Christian tradition. In this way, the book shows both what Methodist churches historically teach in common with ecumenical Christianity and what is distinctive about the Methodist tradition in its various contemporary forms. Documents examined include The Twenty-Five Articles of Religion, The General Rules, Wesley's Standard Sermons and Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament, The Methodist Social Creed, and the Apostles' Creed.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #119175 in Books
• Published on: 1999-04-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 139 pages

Features

• ISBN13: 9780687034758
• Condition: NEW
• Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
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About the Author
Ted A. Campbell is Associate Professor of Church History at Perkins School of Theology, Southern Methodist University, and has authored the several books for Abingdon Press.

Customer Reviews

Very Informative, Easy Read
I am taking a very important step in my adult life, that is becoming a member of a methodist church. I approached my pastor regarding my interest and this was the book she refered me to. I was to develop questions for her after reading this, but I have found that most of my questions have been answered by the book. Those questions were about communion, baptism,and what would be expected of me partaking of this faith. The book also reveals those parts of the methodist churches (historic traditions),as seen through the eyes of John Wesley the founder of the methodist movement. The margins of the book are set up so that refering back to a specific article is quick and easy. The glossary and index were also very convienient and helpful for understanding some unfamilar terms.

Good tool for understanding Methodist doctrine
This is a well organized and factually based book on the Methodist doctrine. Being a Methodist for more than 35 years, I have never had a clear idea as to what Methodists really believe. This book has cleared up many misconceptions that I have had over the years and is strengthening my faith in the UMC. A good resource for both students and laypersons!

Discipline with Less Discourse
It would do this fine little volume an injustice to call it "The Book of Discipline Lite" but it does do a fine job of summarizing the big volume without forcing the uninterested party to plow through material about the United Methodist Church's administrative structure and procedures.

Don't expect a profound philisophical discourse on the similarities between Wesley's concept of "sanctification" and the Eastern Orthodox concept of "Theosis" in this book. But DO expect a nice, clean, concise history of the Methodist denomination, a good explanation of its eccumenicalism, a summary of Wesley's values, and all the promised essentials about what role communion, baptism, and clerical orders play in the modern UMC. The end of the book has a tidy summation of Wesley's "rules" and the general principles of the UMC.

For anyone thinking of joining a Methodist church, seeking information about Methodism, and for those Methodists who want a good, concise reference and explanation, this is THE book. Go hit that "add to my shopping cart" button if you fall into one of these categories!