The Methodist movement is a group of historically related denominations of Protestant
Christianity which derive their inspiration
from the life and teachings of John
Wesley. George Whitefield and John's brother Charles Wesley were also significant leaders in the
movement. It originated as a revival within the 18th-century Church of England and became a separate Church following Wesley's death. Due to vigorous missionary
activity, the movement spread throughout the British Empire, the United
States, and beyond, today claiming approximately 80 million
adherents worldwide.[1]
Methodism is characterised by its emphasis on helping the poor and the average person, its very systematic approach to building the person, and the "church" and its missionary spirit.[2] These ideals are put into practice by the establishment of hospitals, universities, orphanages, soup kitchens, and schools to follow Jesus' command to spread the Good News and serve all people.[3] The Methodist movement is also known for its rich musical tradition. Charles Wesley was instrumental in writing much of the hymnody of the Methodist Church,[4] and many other eminent hymn writers come from the Methodist tradition.
Methodists are convinced that building loving relationships with others through social service is a means of working towards the inclusiveness of God's love. They teach that Christ died for all of humanity, not just for a specific group, and thus everyone is entitled to God's grace. Theologically, this view is known as Arminianism, which denies that God has pre-ordained an elect number of people to eternal bliss whilst others perished eternally. Methodism has a wide variety of forms of worship, ranging from high church to low church in liturgical usage. John Wesley himself greatly valued the Anglican liturgy and tradition, and the American Methodist worship in The Book of Offices was based on the 1662 Book of Common Prayer.[5]
Early Methodists were drawn from all levels of society, including the aristocracy,[a] but the Methodist preachers took the message to labourers and criminals who tended to be left outside organized religion at that time. In Britain the Methodist Church had a major impact in the early decades of the making of the working class (1760–1820). In the United States it became the religion of many slaves who later formed "black churches" in the Methodist tradition.
Methodism is characterised by its emphasis on helping the poor and the average person, its very systematic approach to building the person, and the "church" and its missionary spirit.[2] These ideals are put into practice by the establishment of hospitals, universities, orphanages, soup kitchens, and schools to follow Jesus' command to spread the Good News and serve all people.[3] The Methodist movement is also known for its rich musical tradition. Charles Wesley was instrumental in writing much of the hymnody of the Methodist Church,[4] and many other eminent hymn writers come from the Methodist tradition.
Methodists are convinced that building loving relationships with others through social service is a means of working towards the inclusiveness of God's love. They teach that Christ died for all of humanity, not just for a specific group, and thus everyone is entitled to God's grace. Theologically, this view is known as Arminianism, which denies that God has pre-ordained an elect number of people to eternal bliss whilst others perished eternally. Methodism has a wide variety of forms of worship, ranging from high church to low church in liturgical usage. John Wesley himself greatly valued the Anglican liturgy and tradition, and the American Methodist worship in The Book of Offices was based on the 1662 Book of Common Prayer.[5]
Early Methodists were drawn from all levels of society, including the aristocracy,[a] but the Methodist preachers took the message to labourers and criminals who tended to be left outside organized religion at that time. In Britain the Methodist Church had a major impact in the early decades of the making of the working class (1760–1820). In the United States it became the religion of many slaves who later formed "black churches" in the Methodist tradition.
No comments:
Post a Comment