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Carregando... Methodism: A Very Short Introductionde William J. Abraham
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Methodism began as a renewal movement within Anglicanism in the 18th century, dominated the Protestant landscape of the USA in the 19th, and continues to be one ofthe most vibrant forms of Christianity worldwide today. This Very Short Introduction traces Methodism from its origins in the work of John Wesley right up to the present day. Considering the identity, nature, and history of Methodism, William J. Abraham provides a fresh account of its place in the life and thought of the Christian Church. Não foram encontradas descrições de bibliotecas. |
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Google Books — Carregando... GênerosClassificação decimal de Dewey (CDD)287Religions Christian denominations MethodistClassificação da Biblioteca do Congresso dos E.U.A. (LCC)AvaliaçãoMédia:
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This is an extraordinary book. It has 120 pages of text, and I learned more than I have from books two or three times as long. In addition, it has a bibliography and index. I will definitely keep this series in mind when I want to learn about a topic. Abraham is (in my experience), a much more traditional and devout person than many other Methodists, or indeed members of mainline churches. I will leave aside the issue of whether or not Methodism is a mainline church, but Abraham addresses this.
Abraham's hope is for a new outpouring of the Holy Spirit to energize Methodists and their church, rather than stricter biblical interpretations or focus on service. Service, a very important part of the faith, and would be based upon the pouring out of grace, rather a mission statement like a secular service organization. He has confidence that the church will continue.
I was raised in the Methodist church, and at eighteen, having learned very little about Christianity in general, and virtually nothing about Methodism, I left. In my exit interview, I asked the minister what it meant to be a Methodist. There was an embarassed silence until I took pity on him and changed the subject. I am now an atheist. In my opinion, the purpose of a religion is a relationship with its deity; if one wants to do good works, there are plenty of secular organizations, and one avoids the expense of a church building.
Abraham discusses Albert Outler (1908-89), who was one of the most important thinkers in modern Methodism. (I never of heard of him, of course.) Outler believed theological diversity, which he saw as a strength. This may be fine for adults, but children are the rocks through many intellectual glass houses. People seem to have difficulty understanding that children start out near zero; it means nothing to tell them that a subject has been discussed for 150 years. They weren't there for it. If a church is going to have theological diversity, what is it going to teach it's children? -- nothing, in my experience. I read in one book that the adult Methodists never worried too much about the kids. They often left the church in early adulthood, but then they got married, had children, and returned. That's no longer happening with most -- like me, many stay away. I suspect that many churches shy away from discussing what the adults believe: too much potential for conflict. A Methodist friend of mine loves the traditional liturgy, but is also proud of how much of it he doesn't believe. He may enjoy tripping down memory lane, but it means nothing to anyone who hasn't had similar experiences.
The main point I want to make in this review however, is not the failings of the Methodist Church as I see it, but the excellence of the book! ( )