Sometimes our Christian brothers and sisters from other denominational traditions accuse Methodists of having a works righteousness doctrine, sometimes calling us Pelagian or semi-Pelagian in our outlook (named after Pelagius, who basically believed that Christ is our Savior by example, he shows us how to live and it is up to us to follow him). There is a bit of truth in the charge in that many United Methodists hold on to a popular notion (even if it is a misconception) of Free Will. Wesley spoke of the importance of Free Grace. In our Methodist tradition we believe that God gives us a Gracious Ability to accept his free gift of salvation. Do you see the difference between Free Will and Gracious Ability? To be true to our heritage is to always accept and affirm the centrality of God's grace.
So, what about works? Wesley had a concern for Christians who separated Faith from Works. He frequently warns about the dangers of antinomianism (the belief that Christians do not have to have any moral standards). The Apostle Paul is careful on this point. He stresses that we are to live a morality that is formed in love. In his first letter to the Corinthians he addresses the a divisive issue in the early Christian community: eating meat that had been offered to idols. In Acts, the Jerusalem Council had stated that Christians did not have to adhere to requirements such as circumcision, but the Council stated that Christians should not eat "what has been sacrificed to idols" (Acts 15:29). But when Paul writes the Corinthians he doesn't take this hard line approach. Instead, he discusses it in the context of love. In the 8th chapter, Paul points out that as monotheists, we know that other gods do not exist. Our God is the only God who created the heavens and the earth. He created all things, therefore all things belong to him, even that meat offered to supposed idols. There is nothing immoral about eating meat offered to idols in and of itself. But what about the Christian who is a recent convert from a pagan religion that routinely offers meat to an idol and then feasts on it in a religious celebration. To that person, eating that meat may be too reminiscent of his or her old pagan practices. And if I were to be at table fellowship with that person shouldn't I abstain from the meat out of compassion for that person? Yet in the 10th chapter Paul advises we eat whatever meat is set before us without question. If we are enjoying another's hospitality we should enjoy it without raising any qualms about the origin of the meat. If it is not an issue to our host, neither should it be an issue to us. But if another chooses to make an issue of it abstain for that person's conscience (and not your own). But even later Paul seems to have a different perspective on the matter. Perhaps he is upset that this has continued to be a divisive issue in the church. When he writes his letter to the Romans he says...
1 Welcome those who are weak in faith, but not for the purpose of quarreling over opinions. 2 Some believe in eating anything, while the weak eat only vegetables. 3 Those who eat must not despise those who abstain, and those who abstain must not pass judgment on those who eat; for God has welcomed them. 4 Who are you to pass judgment on servants of another? It is before their own lord that they stand or fall. And they will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make them stand. Romans 14:1-4 NRSV
By this time Paul seems to be recognize that there are those who use their "weakness" as a pretense for being judgmental. Paul instructs us to welcome them in faith, but not for the purpose of quarrels.
"Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of law" (Romans 13:10).
Works: Paul calls upon women to be adorned with "good deeds, as befits women who profess religion" (1 Timothy 2:10).
For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything; the only thing that counts is faith working through love. Galatians 5:6
Also, see the Fruit of the Spirit. Galatians 5:22-23
I will expand on this idea in a later post.
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Recommendation: Richard P Heitzenrater, The Poor and the People Called Methodists, Kingswood Books, 2002 (Intermediate).
Sources: Cokesbury | Christian Books Distributor (CBD) | Amazon
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