From mcnbjtb@fs4.in.umist.ac.uk Mon 05 Jun 95 20:53:24
Newsgroups: uk.religion.christian
Subject: Re: What is Methodism
From: mcnbjtb@fs4.in.umist.ac.uk (Bernard J. Treves Brown)
Organization: DIAS, UMIST, Manchester. UK.
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In article <802092169snz@amsmyth.demon.co.uk>, Annabel@amsmyth.demon.co.uk says...

In article <pb10003.215.0017FAA9@cam.ac.uk> pb10003@cam.ac.uk "Paul Bolchover" writes:

Could someone please explain the differences between Methodist Christianity and other Christian faiths? Ie, what is the main difference in the doctrine, and what practical effect does this have?

I cannot think of much to add to Annabel's article, except Methodist ideas of being a priest/minister, which, as I understand it, were part of reason the Methodists were forced out of the Church of England. (Wesley himself never was, I am told) While in UK have Superintendants, who perform many of the functions of a bishop, albeit on a smaller (and IMHO more practical) scale, there is no difference in degree between a "Super" and any other circuit minister (contrast bishop/priest in the CofE and much of the rest of the Church, where only bishops may ordain). Like much else it is a historical thing. There were ca. 4 priests in North America, Wesley thought more should be sent. The Bishop of ?London?, who was responsible refused, apparently for good reason in church law (but don't ask me about it) and Wesley, citing the ancient Church of Alexandria, (where the bishop was elected by the priests till about the time of Nicea) ordained a Superintendant for America (using a modified version of the bishop's ordinal) and some assistants (using the priest's ordinal). N.B. There people entitled "bishop" in the American Methodist Churches.

The practical effect of this is that authority is not seen to be focused in a single group (e.g. of bishops) but is divided among local (circuit) regional, and national bodies. This is important because Methodists are famous/notorious for their respect for their Church structures

It also means that, in the view of those who have a tactile understanding of the Apostolic Succession, Methodism is not within it - i.e. Methodist ministers are not real priests/bishops. Practically this can cause trouble in formal relations with some of the parties in any of: the CofE, Roman Catholic and Orthodox Churches. Further, it can be argued that for the Church to be fully herself bishops are necessary.

Bernard

Bernard J. Treves Brown
Department of Instrumentation and Analytical Science,
UMIST, P.O. Box 88, Manchester. M60 1QD  UK
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