#1 Are Methodists Christian?
Yes, Methodism is a denomination within the larger classification of Protestant Christianity. With the Methodist beliefs ordained and developed by the religion’s founder, John Wesley, Methodism was intended to spread the word of God.
With the fundamentals of the religion centered around Jesus Christ, God, and helping those in need. Often volunteering at hospitals, universities, orphanages, schools, and soup kitchens, Methodists seek to reach out with support for thy neighbor and spread the love of God.
Related Scripture(s):
- “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,” – Matthew 28:19.
Related Video(s):
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#2 Are Methodists Protestant?
Yes, Methodism is a form of Protestant Christianity, with core beliefs reflected by the Holy Bible. There is a separate denomination called MPC, the Methodist Protestant Church, which was formed in 1828. Since the two sects of Methodism reconnected in 1938, there was a convergence that greatly impacted what is modernly known as the United Methodist Church.
Most of the foundational beliefs remain tied with a great deal of Protestant influence in both denominations, but there are minor differences in respect to the founder’s teachings regarding the Holy Spirit and Holy trinity.
Related Scripture(s):
- “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” – John 3:16.
Related Video(s):
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#3 Are Methodists Evangelicals?
Breaking apart from ‘Mainland Methodism’ in the 1940s-1950s, Evangelical Methodism officially became a separate denomination of the church.
The major differences that distinct Evangelical Methodism from Methodists is that they tend to be more:
- Fundamentalist
- Old testament-centric
- Conservative
- Strict
United Methodist News quotes Reverend Thomas Lambrecht, as well as Pamela Lightsey, noting that they stand ‘on different sides of the theological aisle.’ With room for debate and disagreement even within the United Methodist Church, Lambrecht says:
“Fundamentalism today is really related to a fairly rigid understanding of Scripture — an almost literalistic understanding of Scripture, things like a six-day creation. I would distinguish that from evangelicalism, which still maintains the primary authority of Scripture but is willing to look at a more nuanced interpretation.”
With the founder, John Wesley, being noted as an evangelical, there is room for non-fundamentalists and fundamentalists within the larger Methodist religion.
Related Scripture(s):
- “As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.” – 2 Timothy 4:5.
Related Video(s):
- The Sad, Necessary Division of the United Methodist Church. Published January 5th. “As an Evangelical, I lament the division of the Methodist church.
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#4 Are Methodists Catholic?
Both Methodism and Catholicism are linked by Christian roots and a shared doctrine (the Bible); however, they are indeed two separate denominations. Each denomination is strongly characterized by their devotion to helping those less fortunate and spreading the word of God.
Despite the similarities, some of the major differences between these two religions are:
- Scripture (Methodists feel that scripture trumps tradition, Catholics do not).
- Prayer (differences in their Lord’s prayer).
- Communion (Methodist practice ‘Open Table Communion,’ while Catholics do not. Catholics also require classes from their church members, while Methodists feel communion is open to everyone).
- Service (Catholic masses will bounce around scripturally, whereas Methodist church services will tend to focus on one passage and go deeply into it for the meeting).
- Heaven (Catholics feel you must be Catholic to go to heaven. Methodists may believe that all good Christians have the opportunity to enter Heaven, but this is up to each individual).
Related Scripture(s):
- “The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him.”- Psalm 28:7
Related Video(s):
- Catholic Vs. Protestants, Methodists, and Baptists – Published August 12th, 2014.
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#5 Are Methodists Reformed?
The first Methodists were reformed; however, in modern culture, this is less common and nearly non-existent. An individual may choose to be a reformed Methodist, but the official United Methodist Church is not reformed as a denomination.
Reformation within the church means that Christians believe that their salvation is not earned through good deeds, but rather, an unmerited gift from the Lord. Reformed Christians would believe that the good deed of living a Christian-influenced lifestyle is only a side-effect to the gift from God.
Related Scripture(s):
- “For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.” Romans 1:17.
Related Video(s):
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#6 Are Methodists Anglican?
As a subsidiary and extension of the Anglican Church, the Methodist Church is related to Anglicanism. There are differences that distinguish these two denominations, but nonetheless, each stands united enough to agree on subjects such as the Into All the World: Being and Becoming Apostolic Churches, which was a document approved by both the World Methodist Council and the Anglican Consultative Council.
In 1784, Anglican Priest Francis Asbury said about the differences of the two denominations:
“The difference between us lay not so much in doctrines and in forms of worship as in experience and practice.”
Essentially, Methodism is a less broad form of theology, and there is the ability for Methodists, Calvinists, and Catholics to be Anglican. Methodism would fall more largely under the category of ‘Wesleyan-Armenian.’
Related Scripture(s):
- “But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.” – James 1:22.
Related Video(s):
- Anglicans and Methodists in UK Consider Sharing Ministers – Catholicregister.org – June 29th, 2017.
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#7 Are Methodists Born Again?
Methodists teach a form of Arminian, which has been heavily influenced by the founder of Methodism, John Wesley, resulting in the creation of Wesleyan-Arminian covenant theology. Arminians believe in being born again, resulting in that translation to the Methodist denomination.
Due to the fact that Methodists baptize, there is an intrinsic belief in a person being ‘born again’ when they convert to the Methodist religion.
With scriptural evidence to support this, John 3 discusses the idea that, “Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Also claiming, “Ye must be born again.”
Related Scripture(s):
- “I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, `You must be born again.’ The wind blows wherever it pleases.” – John 3.
Related Video(s):
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#8 Are Methodists Pro-Life?
As a controversial subject in any religion, Methodists have not taken a firm stance on this, allowing the individual or church to determine their own beliefs on abortion.
Believing that all life is sacred and not seeking to encourage abortion, the Methodist Church has released statements saying that they do understand that sometimes there are circumstances under which a woman ‘may justify abortion.’
Directly as stated by the United Methodist Church:
“Additional official statements of The United Methodist Church express our reluctance to affirm absolute perspectives either supporting or opposing abortion which do not account for the individual woman’s sacred worth and agency.”
The church does not condone the use of abortion as birth control and does not find most reasons to be justifiable; however, a condition such a rape may be an understandable reason that the church would find acceptable.
Overall, they promote that individuals should do everything in their power to reduce unintentional pregnancies, encouraging:
- Sexual education
- Access to voluntary family planning
- Contraception
- “Initiatives to enhance the quality of life for al women and girls around the globe”
Related Scripture(s):
- “Before I knew you in the womb, I knew you, before you were born, I set you apart.” – Jeremiah 15.
Related Video(s):
- East Ohio Conference of The United Methodist Church – “Unplanned depicts safe abortions as a fantasy foisted by pro-choice advocates.” Published April 10th, 2019.
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