Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Doctrinal Methodist Church'

This thesis examines the controversy surrounding the doctrine of atonement among transatlantic Methodist during the Victorian and Progressive Eras. Beginning in the eighteenth century, it establishes the dominant theories of the atonement present among English and American Methodists and the cultural-philosophical worldview Methodists used to support these theories. It then explores the extent to which ordinary and influential Methodists throughout the nineteenth century carried forward traditional opinions on the doctrine before examining in closer detail the controversies surrounding the doctrine at the opening of the twentieth century. It finds that from the 1750s to the 1830s transatlantic Methodists supported a range of substitutionary views of the atonement, from the satisfaction and Christus Victor theories to a vicarious atonement with penal emphases. Beginning in the 1830s and continuing through the 1870s, transatlantic Methodists embraced features of the moral government theory, with varying degrees, while retaining an emphasis on traditional substitutionary theories. Methodists during this period were indebted to an Enlightenment worldview. Between 1880 and 1914 transatlantic Methodists gradually accepted a Romantic philosophical outlook with the result that they began altering their conceptions of the atonement. Methodists during this period tended to move in three directions. Progressive Methodists jettisoned prevailing views of the atonement preferring to embrace the moral influence theory. Mediating Methodists challenged traditionally constructed theories for similar reasons but tended to support a theory in which God was viewed as a friendlier deity while retaining substitutionary conceptions of the atonement. Conservatives took a custodial approach whereby traditional conceptions of the atonement were vehemently defended. Furthermore, that transatlantic Methodists were involved in significant discussions surrounding the revision of their theology of atonement in light of modernism in the years surrounding 1900 contributed to their remaining on the periphery of the Fundamentalist-Modernist in subsequent decades.

A presente dissertação de mestrado profissional trata da seguinte temática: a doutrina social na Igreja Metodista brasileira a partir da Segunda Região Eclesiástica. O tema de pesquisa foi circunscrito dentro de um recorte bibliográfico e histórico sobre os relatórios episcopais aos Concílios da Segunda Região Eclesiástica, no período de 1990 a 2011. Procurou-se analisar estes documentos à luz da teologia metodista de John Wesley, que acentua que o Evangelho não se comunica somente através de palavras - escritos, sermões e estudos. A palavra (escrita ou falada) deve ser acompanhada por ações (agir). Aliar palavra com ação é o desafio que está diante do povo metodista. Tendo em vista os pressupostos teóricos da doutrina social no metodismo, procurou-se intentar algumas conclusões, dentre as quais destacamos: o surgimento de manifestações de inconformidade com a acomodação da Igreja e com a incoerência de lideranças em relação aos ensinamentos de Wesley no período da ditadura militar (1964-1985). Este movimento conduziu à formulação de documentos de orientação à Igreja como o Credo Social, os Planos Quadrienais e o Plano para a Vida e a Missão da Igreja. A partir dos anos 1990 é visível um gradativo descuido por este aspecto essencial do metodismo que é o compromisso com o social. A posição dos bispos se manifesta tanto na parte teórica de seus relatórios quanto nas ênfases de ações missionárias que não revelam incluir o compromisso com as questões sociais. Por fim, e não menos importante, apontamos para o desafio de recuperar a teologia metodista que alia ação evangelística com ação social, além da vivência prática e comunitária do lema que orienta o metodismo brasileiro: Igreja comunidade missionária a serviço do povo.
This professional Masters dissertation deals with the following theme: the social doctrine in the Brazilian Methodist Church based in the Second Ecclesiastical Region. The research theme was confined within a bibliographic and historical cropping of the episcopal reports to the Councils of the Second Ecclesiastical Region, in the period of 1990 to 2011. An attempt was made to analyze these documents in the light of the Methodist theology of John Wesley, which focuses on the fact that the Gospel does not communicate itself only through words writings, sermons and studies. The word (written and spoken) must be accompanied by actions (to act). To ally word with action is the challenge before the Methodist people. Keeping the theoretical presuppositions of the social doctrine in Methodism in mind, one tried to offer some conclusions, within which we highlight: the emerging of manifestations of inconformity with the churchs accommodation and with the incoherence of the leaders with regard to the teachings of Wesley during the period of the military dictatorship (1964-1985). This movement led to the formulation of orientation documents for the church such as the Social Creed, the Quadrennial Plans and the Plan for the Life and the Mission of the Church. As of the 1990s one is able to see the gradual neglect of this essential aspect of Methodism which is the commitment to the social. The bishops position is manifested in the theoretical part of their reports as well as in the emphases on missionary actions which do not reveal the inclusion of the commitment to the social issues. In the end, but not the least, we point out the challenge of recovering the Methodist theology which allies evangelistic action with social action, besides the practical and congregational experience of the theme which orients Brazilian Methodism: Church missionary congregation at the service of the people.

Boston personalism has generally been recognized as a philosophic system based upon a metaphysical idealism. What is less known, however, is that the founder of this school of thought and some of the major contributors to the early development of this tradition were committed members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The purpose of this study is to examine the contributions made by the early Boston personalists to the cause of theological liberalism in the Methodist Church. It will be shown that personalist philosophers and theologians at Boston University ushered in and consolidated the liberal era in Methodist theology. Further, it will be argued that the religious demands of the philosophy of personalism eventually led some members of the tradition from theological liberalism to modernism and the beginnings of a religious pluralism. In other words, the thesis of this study is that the early Boston personalists were theological innovators in the Methodist Church, leading the denomination from its nineteenth-century evangelical pietism to the modernism and pluralism that was part of mid-twentieth century American Protestantism. The focus of this study will therefore be on the first two generations of personalists at Boston University: the founder of the personalist tradition, Borden Parker Bowne, and two of his most prominent students, Albert Cornelius Knudson and Edgar Sheffield Brightman. One chapter is devoted to each of figure, focused upon the impact of their personalist philosophy and methodology on their theology and philosophy of religion, and their influence on American Methodist theology. The period this study, which commences from the time of Bowne's appointment to the Department of Philosophy at Boston University in 1876 to the death of both Knudson and Brightman in 1953, reveals how Methodism grappled with the theological implications raised by the complexities of modernity and the emerging sciences. Attention will be focused on how the philosophical method of the personalists dictated their movement from pietism toward liberalism and onto modernism and pluralism. As such, this study demonstrates the integral role played by the Boston personalist tradition in theological development during the liberal era of American Methodism.

Thesis
There is potential for a schism, within the Methodist Church of Southern Africa (MCSA) today, between Fundamentalist and Liberationist Methodists, who struggle to find common identity and vision. A question that needs examination is whether it is possible to develop an authentically, uniting Southern African Methodist Theology within the current Institutional structure of the MCSA. For this to become possible, some key areas of discussion are highlighted in this paper, such as the training of ministers and the MCSA as Institution. This paper attempts to enter into conversation between Fundamental and Liberation Methodism using the Doctrine of Christian Perfection, 'the Grand Depositum' of Methodism, as a point of reference and develop an epistemological framework based on Wesley’s 'quadrilateral' of Scripture, reason, experience and tradition. This paper takes as a standpoint the need for an authentically Southern African Methodist theology, which is both uniting and transformatory, in order for the MCSA to fulfil its vision of “A Christ Healed Africa for the Healing of Nations.”
Systematic theology and Theological Ethics
D. Th. (Systematic Testament)

There is without doubt as much criticism of Liberation Theology as there is understanding regarding the need for a theology which seeks answers to the effectiveness of the Christian witness, against a background of mounting poverty, the oppression of woman and continued discrimination by one race against another, worldwide. Many scholars struggle with the revolutionary and often hostile nature and methodology of Liberation Theology. This paper attempts to enter into a conversation between the theology of John Wesley and Liberation Theology. The theology of John Wesley had a tremendous impact on social, political and economic areas of the Eighteenth century England. It was in many ways a revolutionary theology. This paper takes as a standpoint, the need for praxis with regard to Christian witness and therefore seeks to argue that there may be common ground between Wesleyan Theology and Liberation Theology.
Systematic Theology and Theological Ethics
M.Th. (Systematic Teology)

John Wesley was a well educated son of a cleric, who chose to be a theologian and a minister in the Church of England. His theological distinctive was his insistence on the possibility of entire sanctification in this lifetime. In response to their position on sanctification, Wesley and the Methodists sought to save souls and cure the ills in society because they believed it was divinely mandated. Their love and work for the less fortunate was a response to their love for God and in obedience to His commandments. This is the great success of their work. They were able to serve God and their generation in a balanced yet inseparable way. The result of Wesley's life, direct and indirect, was that the social and spiritual plight of thousands of individuals and families was improved and dozens of church groups, missionary societies and benevolent organisations have emerged
Christian Spirituality, Church History and Missiology
Th.M. (Church History)

The devastating consequences of the HIV and AIDS epidemic are endangering many lives and shaking weak economies of the Sub-Sahara Africa. The Church of Christ in Africa has decided to join hands with other players who are seeking appropriate responses to the epidemic. The Church has an important role of providing theological understanding upon which the response should be grounded. This study explores how the Free Methodist Church in the Democratic Republic of Congo could participate in the alleviation of suffering and loss due to the HIV epidemic in the region of Kivu. The eastern part of DRC, especially the Kivu region, has experienced a severe outbreak of HIV-related diseases as the aftermath of the six-year war (1996-2002) that has destroyed economic and medical infrastructures in the territory. The recent crisis is the result of rape, which was used as a cheap weapon of war and the impoverishment of the community due to political and economic instability in the area. This study therefore draws the attention of the Free Methodist Church to the urgent need of providing care to many poor people suffering from HIV-related diseases who are unable to access treatment or purchase medicines. It suggests that the doctrine of social holiness that has been the driving force behind the involvement of the Free Methodist Church in providing social services to poor community could be used as a theological framework for its intervention. The doctrine of social holiness is expressed in extending God's love and mercy to people who live in misery and marginalized, My argument is that, in the case of the Kivu region, the doctrine of social holiness could motivate the Free Methodist Church to meet the needs of those living with HIV and AIDS. As a matter of emergency the focus could be put on providing physical and spiritual care, and also care with justice. The doctrine of social holiness could be used to mobilize the community to provide care for the needy by sharing the theological insights about human sexuality, God's love, stewardship, acceptance of the other and restoring dignity to every person created in God's image. These theological themes could be integrated in formulating a theology of HIV that could become a tool in the hands of the Free Methodist church as it ministers to people living with HIV and AIDS in Kivu. This study advocates that, even though the response of the Free Methodist Church in responding to the HIV epidemic is still timid, there are enough potentialities in the doctrine of social holiness that could be re-examined and restated in order to meet the actual needs. The doctrine of social holiness requires that every believer who had received in his/her heart the love of God by faith may share this love with others, especially with the poor and marginalized. The misery and suffering of people living with HIV and AIDS in the Kivu region presents an opportunity to the Free Methodist Church in DRC to mobilize the community towards caring for the sick. The magnitude of the epidemic requires that the Free Methodist Church uses its theological foundation as a motivating factor in networking and lobbying other stakeholders in the region and externally so that those who are abandoned without care can find care and support.
Thesis (M.Th.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2007.

This qualitatively oriented Practical Theology research project was based on a narrative inquiry into the spiritualities of six gay women who are related to Northfield Methodist Church, which is situated in Benoni, Gauteng. These conversations occurred within a small group context, and were aimed at co-authoring preferred ways of being both gay and Christian. Toward the end of the research journey, I asked each participant to prepare a written text that would summarise their experience of being simultaneously gay and Christian, so that by hearing their own stories of their journey, they would be able to find a voice. As these women are usually marginalised in the Methodist Church, I invited various groups to audience their stories. This research report records the beginning of my journey into working towards the complete acceptance of gay and lesbian Christians into the Methodist Church of Southern Africa.
Practical Theology
M. Th. (Pastoral Therapy)

The covenant relationship describes the unique relationship entered into between the church and ministers within the Methodist tradition. The study examines the polity, ecclesiology and doctrine of ministry, influences within the Methodist movement and the factors within the Methodist Church of Southern Africa (MCSA) which influenced the adoption of the covenantal relationship, as it is termed, in the MCSA. The experiences of ministers are researched to understand the impact of the covenantal relationship on their ministry and their wellbeing. Ezekiel, chapter 34, is analysed to discern a model of the expected roles of a shepherd to lead, feed and protect his covenant flock, roles which would be expected of the MCSA in the shepherding of their covenant ministers. By applying the Wesleyan Quadrilateral to the covenantal relationship using Scripture, tradition, reason and experience, the study concludes that the MCSA should move from a covenantal to a covenant relationship.
Philosophy, Practical and Systematic Theology
M. Th. (Systematic Theology)

This thesis asks “What would a decolonized partnership look like between North Katangan and American United Methodists?” Guided by the 7-point mission praxis matrix developed in the missiology department at the University of South Africa, it explores a series of subquestions. First, the terms “mission,” “partnership,” and “decolonize” are defined, and literature applicable to these concepts is discussed. In Chapter 3, the historical relational power structures and culture of the Luba and Lunda Kingdoms are summarized. Chapter 4 provides a historical overview of American and North Katangan United Methodist (UM) collaborations and describes the dominant relational dynamics and mission models of each time period. This chapter draws heavily from memoirs, reports, and articles published by United Methodist agencies. Chapter 5 explores the psycho-affective dimension of these interactions, focusing on identifying issues of guilt, shame, grief, trauma, and racial biases at play. Chapter 6 documents the responses to in-depth interviews with North Katangan UMs and American collaborators about their memories and beliefs about a twenty-year period (approx. 1994-2014), during which a shift took place in the how North Katangan (DR Congo) church leaders viewed their own capacities relative to those of the American United Methodists they encountered. The final section compares the theological reflections of interview participants, explores the ways in which Methodist doctrine and praxis can be used in furthering the decolonization and healing process through the partnerships, and explores pathways forward. The interviews conducted reveal areas of tension in the partnership, differing missiologies (e.g. mission as outreach vs. mission as relationship), and visions of the future of the partnership. The responses show that the partnership is currently on a trajectory towards decolonization, but that more needs to be done in the areas of healing and self-awareness--both on the individual and collective level.
Christian Spirituality, Church History and Missiology
D. Th. (Missiology)

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI)
As white settlers and pioneers moved westward in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries, some of the first to settle the Indiana territory, near the Ohio border, were members of the Religious Society of Friends (the Quakers). Many of these Quakers focused on social reforms, especially the anti-slavery movement, as they fled the slave-holding states like the Carolinas. Less discussed in Indiana’s history is the impact Quakerism also had in the movement for women’s rights. This case study of two of the founding members of the Indiana Woman’s Rights Association (later to be renamed the Indiana Woman’s Suffrage Association), illuminates the influences of Quakerism on women’s rights. Amanda M. Way (1828-1914) and Mary Frame (Myers) Thomas, M.D. (1816-1888) practiced skills and gained opportunities for organizing a grassroots movement through the Religious Society of Friends. They attained a strong sense of moral grounding, skills for conducting business meetings, and most importantly, developed a confidence in public speaking uncommon for women in the nineteenth century. Quakerism propelled Way and Thomas into action as they assumed early leadership roles in the women’s rights movement. As advocates for greater equality and freedom for women, Way and Thomas leveraged the skills learned from Quakerism into political opportunities, resource mobilization, and the ability to frame their arguments within other ideological contexts (such as temperance, anti-slavery, and education).