Chasing Wesley: Recent Episodes
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Wesley didn't doubt his theology. He wasn't constructing a novel structure of beliefs, a new doctrine to tickle the ears. No, what he doubted was whether he had yet experienced what Scriptures said was true.
King James and his Bible, Oliver Cromwell forbids Christmas, and Charles the Hedonist. Oh, yeah, James II wanted to try Catholicism one more time.
Because the English learned from Europe's mistakes. So they came up with some doozies of their own. From the Wars of the Roses, with stops at Henry the Eighth, and Bloody Mary. And who could forget Guy Fawkes?
The events in Europe set the stage for what would happen in England, but it didn't mean that England had to copy those on the Continent.
Being a Methodist has to do with being a Methodist. That is, what made us, what gives us life? The very appellation Methodist has been on a journey of definition for over three hundred years. The word itself has had a life all its own, as the people both inside and outside the movement have struggled with this particular flavor of Christianity. It is a rich adventure of discovery to unravel the tapestry of Christian history over the past four hundred years, and see where the thread Methodist has brought meaning and strength to the fabric of the Body of Christ.
This is the beginning of my new adventure. Although, in retrospect, I've been at this for roughly twenty years. The story (kind of) started like this...