Many prominent leaders within and beyond the United Methodist Church often casually make such statements as “everyone is a child of God” or “we’re all children of God.” Even Paragraph 5 of the UMC Constitution officially makes the strong claim, “The United Methodist Church proclaims the value of each person as a unique child of God….” Other uses of this phrase, “child(ren) of God,” in the UMC Discipline or Book of Resolutions are more ambiguous or biblically nuanced.
Rev. Talbot Davis, pastor of the massive, diverse Good Shepherd United Methodist Church in Charlotte, NC offers this important correction of sloppy misuses of this important, technical theological phrase. Davis is the author of six titles with Abingdon Press. Invite Press is currently publishing a series of Talbot’s books called “Come Alive: Conversations With Scripture.” This piece is an excerpt from Come Alive: Galatians & Ephesians.
This excerpt from his book was earlier posted on Facebook. Reposted with permission.
UM Voices is a forum for different voices within the United Methodist Church on pressing issues of denominational and/or social concern. UM Voices contributors represent only themselves and not IRD/UMAction.
“Well, We’re All Just Children Of God, Aren’t We?”
What follows is an excerpt from #ComeAlive: Galatians & Ephesians, a 28 day excursion through those two letters published by Invite Resources. All author royalties to the GMC. Here’s Day 7:
There’s a shock coming in Galatians 3:26-27.
But before I tell you the source of the shock, I want you to consider this very common phrase in modern American culture: We’re all children of God.
Our parents said it. Politicians say it. Teachers say it. Tweeters tweet it. Facebookers post it. Pastors insist it. Denominational executives declare it. It is usually uttered as the clinching point of any possible argument on a wide array of topics: “Well, we are all children of God after all!”
No. We’re not.
What? How could I assert something so . . . hateful?
Because I want to be biblical. And language matters. Sloppy language leads to careless theology, which inevitably causes heresy.
Look at Galatians 3:26–27 (emphasis added):
“So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourself with Christ.”
Paul’s readers were children of God through faith. Not by birth. Not by heritage. Not by accident. By faith, faith in Christ, who then clothes us with himself.
All people are loved by God. Chased by God. Pursued by God. Adored by God. All people, no exceptions. Yet only those who say yes to Jesus become children of God. There’s an enormous difference in that statement.
The great enemy of the church is sloppy, sentimental thinking—the kind of thinking Paul went to such lengths to prevent.
Perhaps you are thinking, in response to these two verses, I never noticed that! Maybe you’re even saying, “Grrrr! I don’t believe it!” If the latter is the case, know that I’m simply observing what the inspired scripture says and relating it to you. I hope I am doing so in a way that elevates the way you think and speak about this Christ into whom we have been baptized.
Where will Paul go after destroying one of our most cherished American phrases? His words to this point are the prelude for Galatians 3:28:
“There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”
What a glorious description of how the ground really is level at the foot of the cross. In our modern world, just think of all the applications. As long as we remember that our “oneness” is not so much in our common humanity as in our shared Savior, there is no longer Asian or Anglo or African or Latino or Red State or Blue State or First World or Global South, for in Christ we are all one. Paul’s next words make it clear: “If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.”
Think of how comprehensive “belonging to Christ” must be! It’s not that we merely “believe in Christ” or simply become “acquainted with Christ,” but we belong to him. He has complete ownership of us—of our bodies, minds, souls, wallets, and relationships. We belong to one another as we first belong to Christ.
SLOPPY LANGUAGE LEADS TO CARELESS THEOLOGY WHICH INEVITABLY CAUSES HERESY.
Comment by Douglas Ehrhardt on October 11, 2022 at 9:27 am
Also see John 1:12 Yet to all who did receive Him,to those who believed in His Name,He gave the right to become children of God.
Comment by Seriously? on October 11, 2022 at 10:33 am
Are things really this bad in the church that someone needs to write this?
This seems more like a parody post or a trolling job, though I am sure this is not the case. It makes me want to weep tears of frustration.
Comment by Troy on October 11, 2022 at 10:44 am
John 8; 42-47
42 Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and I am here. I came not of my own accord, but he sent me. 43 Why do you not understand what I say? It is because you cannot bear to hear my word. 44 You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies. 45 But because I tell the truth, you do not believe me. 46 Which one of you convicts me of sin? If I tell the truth, why do you not believe me? 47 Whoever is of God hears the words of God. The reason why you do not hear them is that you are not of God.”
Comment by Jeff on October 11, 2022 at 11:53 am
Praise the LORD and thank you Jesus for Rev. Davis, a courageous man of GOD who is not afraid to speak the truth!
“…Because I want to be biblical. And language matters. Sloppy language leads to careless theology, which inevitably causes heresy.”
That important paragraph appears twice in this piece — ONCE IN ALL CAPS — to make the point. Rev. Davis even used the “h-word” at the end! Language absolutely matters… sadly the word “heresy” is not part of the sloppy-language vocabulary of any of the UMC bishops and damn few of UMC clergy — including pretty much 100% of those who claim affinity with WCA and/or GMC. Why? Because they fear man’s disapproval more than they fear GOD!
And heresy is a word that has meaning — deep, important meaning. Understanding the difference between heresy and sound doctrine is crucial for anyone who would be a child of the Most High GOD through Jesus CHRIST his son!
Comment by Rick Plasterer on October 11, 2022 at 2:46 pm
I Jn. 3:10:
“By this the children of God and the children of the devil are obvious: anyone who does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor the one who does not love his brother.”
Keeping in mind that “righteousness” is what the Bible says is righteousness, not our own sensibilities.
Rick
Comment by Tom on October 11, 2022 at 4:27 pm
Unfortunately, the Scripturally obvious has to be stated and restated. Bravo, Talbot!
Comment by Kevin Barron on October 12, 2022 at 7:56 am
Thanks Talbot for the truth! The truth, after all, will set us free. May it be so for all of us.
Comment by Stuart on October 12, 2022 at 10:22 am
Jeff–“…sadly the word “heresy” is not part of the sloppy-language vocabulary of any of the UMC bishops and damn few of UMC clergy — including pretty much 100% of those who claim affinity with WCA and/or GMC. Why? Because they fear man’s disapproval more than they fear GOD!”
Please do not make blanket statements concerning what we clergy say. I for one have used the word “heresy” in describing the situation that we are in now.
There ARE faithful UM ministers who are calling out the heretics and heresy in the institution and seeing renewal.
Comment by Vann Spivey on October 12, 2022 at 11:50 am
So I assume you’re telling non-believers who attend your church–since you say they’re not children of God– that they’re children of their father the devil? (Jn 8:42-47.) What a great evangelism strategy!
Comment by Jeff on October 12, 2022 at 1:21 pm
Stuart,
I didn’t say ALL UMC clergy refuse to call out progressive heresy as such — I said *most* refuse to. And I stand by my statement. Especially as it applies to WCA/GCA leaders, who almost seem to have adopted an unwritten rule among themselves to explicitly avoid using the word.
Thank you and GOD bless you for being one of the exceptions!
I offer you this challenge: find for us any bishop, and/or any “high profile” elder (e.g. widely published, leadership role in WCA/GCA, or whatever criteria you deem to define “high profile”), who like Rev. Davis calls out heresy in no uncertain terms. I am widely read on the subject, but perhaps there are such and I am blind to them.
Thanks & Blessings,
Jeff
Comment by Dear Vann, that word assume is dangerous on October 12, 2022 at 1:43 pm
Hi Vann,
Thanks for the post. I believe you have heard the saying about what the word assume means? If not look it up on the internet, it applies to your post.
Do you really think that a preacher who believes “that God is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9 KJV) will with the help of the Spirit find a way to say the right thing the right way? Or do you think people who stand behind a pulpit are so uncouth that they would speak like Godzilla walking through Tokyo or New York City destroying everything?
Hey, I have important news for you! Most preachers are not 17th Century Puritans walking around in black with tall hats doing their version of ‘Sinners in the Hand of an Angry God’ each week. Though in comparison with some of the sermons I’ve heard in the recent past that would be an improvement.
Good luck Vann, I hope you find a preacher that meets your expectations for what you want them to say and how they should say it.
Comment by CBByrd on October 12, 2022 at 2:24 pm
Well said, Rev. Davis and those who added scriptural support..
As antagonistic as many within UMC leadership have been over issues especially since 2016 “heresy” is a fighting word that just seems to throw fuel on the now-raging fire. That doesn’t mean it is t true or that it isn’t needed. Personally, I and others from outside UMC official status, laity, retired clergy, some academics, and others have had a freer hand to call out some of the abuses. When Methodism had greater laity involvement and was less institutionally controlled from such a top down manner such things could, I believe ,be addressed with greater accountability. We have the tail wagging the dog.
Comment by Jeff on October 13, 2022 at 12:52 am
CBByrd,
>> Personally, I and others from outside UMC official status, laity, retired clergy, some academics, and others have had a freer hand to call out some of the abuses.
THAT SPEAKS VOLUMES about what is deeply wrong in the UMC. Why, exactly, don’t those “inside UMC” have a free hand to call out abuses?
I think we may know, but please enlighten us.
Comment by CBByrd on October 13, 2022 at 9:09 am
The money changers run the temple…. It is obvious to careerist clergy that those with integrity,who preach the Word faithfully but are not politically correct enough for their ever wet-finger-in-the -political-wind bishops who are pressing for higher percentages of higher apportionments to be paid and monitoring effectiveness by attendance numbers and revenue totals, have been forced out of ministry or given substantially diminished opportunities as punishment over sermons on racial reconciliation or homosexuality ( in the 90’s) or any questioning of current leadership actions (more recently) and because the systems that were supposed to protect Methodism from tyrannical episcopal leadership , the GC and Judicial Council, now appear to be puppets manipulated by a few ruthless “bishops-for-life” (and their agency bureaucrat lackeys who hold their money bags) who presume to speak for all and attempt to bully dissent from any source. If you know Jesus Christ is in your corner and you have seen the episcopal wizards pulling levers behind the curtain there’s no shame or fear in calling it like you see it. God is still God and bishops are political opportunists.
Opportunism in and of itself is not bad. Jesus himself applauded opportunism when he said, ” Be wise like a serpent…”, acknowledging satan’s strong suit (Refer to Luke 4:13- “When the devil had finished all this tempting, ( without success, one might note) ,he left him until an opportune time.” But Jesus advised further with the caution, “… and harmless as a dove.” The “harmless” part has been neglected by the present institutional opportunists. To defeat opportunists you better know the Word, know the source of the temptation, and know your true purpose in Christ., regardless of the cost.
Comment by Charles S. Oaxpatu on October 18, 2022 at 8:14 pm
The guy who wrote this article sounds like a preacher at an Independent Fundamentalist Baptist (IFB) church who is pretending to be a member of the mainline United Methodist Church. Funny—-I thought this was 2022—–not 1920. With any luck, this guy will stick his tail between his legs and run off to join the Global Methodist Church, leaving the United Methodist Church behind to carry on the mainline central trunk of God’s churches in the United States. As the Very Right Reverend Keith Ward notes (More or less), churches like the Anglican/Episcopal Church, Lutheran Church, UMC, Presbyterian Church USA, etc. are the central tree trunk of protestant Christianity and most everything else American and protestant is a bunch of split-off whiners who are constantly diminishing the church by finding ever more reasons to get mad about something, split off, and form their own new denomination, church, or whatever. Will the madness never stop?
Comment by Jessica on October 20, 2022 at 3:29 pm
This sounds like it was written by the older son in the Prodigal Son parable. Everything the father has is his but it’s not enough. His younger brother has to be treated as lesser than in order to make himself feel good.
Just say you don’t really believe in prevenient grace and have done with it.
Comment by Richard Zander on October 20, 2022 at 8:48 pm
Thanks Talbot and UM Voices for publishing this. It’s so right on! And timely too. Next week’s gospel reading is the story of Zaccheus, the tax collector, who, after repenting and experiencing salvation through Christ, finally becomes a true son of Abraham.
I’ll preaching against this sloppy “everyone’s a child of God” thinking next week. You’ve encouraged Spirit-filled boldness in my words and life!
Comment by Jon on October 25, 2022 at 9:58 am
The late Tom Oden suggested that church heresy trials would actually hurt evangelicals of the mainlines. So I guess this is partly the reason for evangelicals to leave. Because who would allow a trial? Wise. Makes sense.
Comment by Curtis Nester on August 3, 2023 at 6:10 pm
Since Charles S. Oaxpatu seems to feel free to slander Baptists, then I, as a retired SBC pastor, feel free to comment on his post. I’ve noticed liberals like to accuse others of what they themselves are doing and while claiming to be so loving they spew hate at every opportunity. Oaxpatu, on his website, made fun of SBC pastor Charles Stanley, even hinting that he did not regret Charles’ passing. I thank God that I was able to attend a number of SBC Conventions and vote for Charles Stanley and also Adrian Rogers so they could help over come the attempted overcome of our denomination by unbelieving liberals. We voted overwhelmingly to uphold our belief in the Inerrancy of the Bible. The liberals finally realized that they had been defeated and left for their own apostate denomination.
Comment by Curtis Nester on August 3, 2023 at 6:19 pm
Sorry, but a typo crept into my post, should read, “…could help over come the attempted TAKEOVER of our denomination..”