This week World Methodist Council leaders met with Pope Francis, marking the opening of a new Methodist ecumenical office in Rome and over 50 years of Methodist-Catholic dialogue, soon to include a joint declaration titled “The Call to Holiness: From Glory to Glory.”
Eighty Methodist denominations belong to the World Methodist Council, which is fraternal but has no juridical authority over about 80 million Methodists globally. United Methodism is the largest denomination, with 13 million globally, of whom 7 million are in the USA. Methodist-Catholic exchanges inevitably include references to John Wesley’s “Letter to a Roman Catholic,” which Pope Francis cited in his remarks to the delegation. Here’s a quote from the Pope:
In the same letter, Wesley also wrote, “if we cannot as yet think alike in all things, at least we may love alike”. It is true that we do not as yet think alike in all things, and that on issues regarding ordained ministries and ethics, much work remains to be done. However, none of these differences constitute such an obstacle as to prevent us from loving in the same way and offering a common witness to the world.
Interesting that the Pope cited Methodist-Catholic differences over “ethics.” Formal dialogues have always focused on theological differences, not differences in ethical teachings. What differences might the Pope have had in mind?
There is contraception, which the USA Methodist Church (now United Methodism) first affirmed in 1956. There is abortion, which the United Methodist Church first approved in 1970, and which British Methodism approved in 1976. There is homosexuality, which no major Methodist church of which I’m aware specifically approves. British Methodism disallows same sex marriage but permits church blessings of same-sex partnerships. New Zealand Methodism allows local churches to decide their own policy. United Methodism officially prohibits actively homosexual clergy or any celebration of same sex rites. Methodism in Latin America, Africa and Asia typically remains conservative on most issues, especially homosexuality, but usually including abortion, though not contraception.
Will Methodist-Catholic dialogue include these ethical issues in their conversation? “The Call to Holiness,” whose meetings have evidently already concluded, will be unveiled this August at the World Methodist Assembly in Dallas. One Catholic source says that in “exploring both shared and diverging understandings of holy living and holy dying, the report will address areas of Catholic devotional practice which have traditionally been problematic for Methodists.” So likely the declaration won’t address hot button topics like abortion, contraception, and homosexuality. Perhaps the reference to “holy dying” implies some mention of euthanasia, about which Methodism is not always very clear. Or maybe not. It appears to address differences over purgatory.
Perhaps there needs to be a new round of Methodist-Catholic dialogue focused on Christian teaching about ethical issues. Methodist stances, especially in declining Western churches, seem very theologically thin, with few foundations pre-dating the mid 20th century. Surely Catholicism could teach Methodism to widen its ethical understanding beyond the limits of modern Western individualism. John Wesley was after all a man rooted in catholicity and apostolic teaching.
Comment by LeeRaleigh on April 8, 2016 at 7:25 am
CANON XI.-If any one saith, that men are justified, either by the sole imputation of the justice of Christ, or by the sole remission of sins, to the exclusion of the grace and the charity which is poured forth in their hearts by the Holy Ghost, and is inherent in them; or even that the grace, whereby we are justified, is only the favour of God; let him be anathema. [Note: this says if the “the grace, whereby we are justified, is ONLY the favour of God; let him be anathema.” In Other her words, RCC outright rejects SOLA GRATIA – salvation by grace alone in Christ alone, thereby anathematizing both Augustine and their own early church council.]
Comment by LeeRaleigh on April 8, 2016 at 7:26 am
The RCC Council of Tent still stands. It says in part:
CANON XI.-If any one saith, that men are justified, either by the sole imputation of the justice of Christ, or by the sole remission of sins, to the exclusion of the grace and the charity which is poured forth in their hearts by the Holy Ghost, and is inherent in them; or even that the grace, whereby we are justified, is only the favour of God; let him be anathema. [Note: this says if the “the grace, whereby we are justified, is ONLY the favour of God; let him be anathema.” In Other her words, RCC outright rejects SOLA GRATIA – salvation by grace alone in Christ alone, thereby anathematizing both Augustine and their own early church council.]
Comment by Garrett on April 8, 2016 at 11:48 am
Nope.
Comment by Mark Brooks on April 8, 2016 at 4:34 pm
Some agreed, not all. As for the document itself, it plainly states in paragraph 5:
“It does not cover all that either church teaches about justification; it does encompass a consensus on basic truths of the doctrine of justification and shows that the remaining differences in its explication are no longer the occasion for doctrinal condemnations.”
By “doctrinal condemnations”, they apparently are referring to the anathemas issued at Trent and in the Lutheran Confessions.
A careful review of the document doesn’t indicate any substantial change in Catholic doctrine, only a change in its presentation. The things the document says Lutherans and Catholics can agree on, aren’t the things that caused the division in the first place. It merely restates their points of agreement and disagreement and then asserts that there is not basis for anathema remaining.
The Catholic response to the document, issued by the Pope, indicates that the anathemas of the Catholic church remain on Lutheran documents. So it accomplished nothing except to create the very kind of confusion that Biblically-mandated separation is supposed to prevent. That’s why conservative Lutheran bodies like the Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod wouldn’t sign off on it.
Simply put, Luther read the Greek scriptures and realized that through faith in Christ alone, apart from any works, individual Christians are declared righteous. Period. One sacrifice. That’s it. Done. Simul justus et peccator.
This is precisely what was anathematized by the canons of Trent, and still. For Catholics, Christ’s sacrifice on the cross is NOT sufficient. Catholic doctrine asserts that it only makes it possible for individuals to do the works that merit justification. That’s not what the Greek says, but the Latin theology was based on, frankly, a very poor Latin translation.
As to whether Catholics are Christian, in terms of political activity, I’m not sure how that matters. I think Christians can work together with Catholics, Orthodox, Muslims, Jews, Scientologists, Mormons and many other groups on matters of common concern without having a common confession.
But it is important to not be confused. The confession still matters.
Comment by Garrett on April 9, 2016 at 12:43 am
A good summary and analysis of the document. I’m not sure what “biblically mandated separation” means, but I probably do not agree. Also, Christ’s sacrifice on the cross is “sufficient” for Catholics in Catholic doctrine. Feel free respond as to why you think the opposite (I think purgatory is a common objection).
Comment by Goldwaterite on April 9, 2016 at 5:12 pm
I see triumphalism still triumphs (at least among the uber-righteous).
Oh well, Jesus’ work on Earth shall continue in any case.
Comment by Dave Nuckols on April 8, 2016 at 10:44 am
Perhaps Pope Francis wants our help regarding women’s ordination?
Comment by faithfulmom on April 23, 2016 at 6:16 pm
Highly doubtful!!
Comment by the_enemy_hates_clarity on April 8, 2016 at 11:06 am
The Roman Catholic Church strongly opposes abortion. Its support of life, in all places and at all times, puts us (the UMC) to shame.
In Christ,
Comment by Garrett on April 8, 2016 at 11:59 am
Here’s to more dialogue between the Catholic Church and Methodists.
Comment by SunnyL on April 9, 2016 at 2:44 pm
Methodists DO NOT support abortion!!!!!
Comment by Beth on April 11, 2016 at 9:54 am
Individual Methodists may not, but the denomination does. Read the Book of Discipline.
Comment by AndrewDowling on April 11, 2016 at 6:30 pm
Liberals all get cozy with each other. In some parts of the country, Unitarian churches have merged with United Church of Christ, even though the Unitarians are not Christian nor claim to be. When you all support the exact same political agenda, theology is a non-issue.
Comment by ken on April 12, 2016 at 2:18 pm
When church bureaucrats get all dressed up and meet together, one thing we know they are NOT doing is implementing effective plans to convert unbelievers to Christianity, which is difficult and demanding work. Lots of men who wear clerical collars and miters on earth will (as Dante depicted) be in hell. Come to think of it, Dante’s hell contained several popes.
Comment by John S. on April 14, 2016 at 7:18 am
Slight editorial change needed: ” United Methodism officially prohibits, (but does allow-at the discretion of the bishop), actively homosexual clergy or any celebration of same sex rites
Comment by Caleb on October 8, 2017 at 4:05 am
Methodist believe pope Francis believe Mother Mary God Son Jesus Methodist believe poor Francis yes they