p. 6 | Revising the Methodist Creed

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jun 28, 1906

Revising the Methodist Creed

M. E. Church South, this was the leading topic under discussion. A resolution was passed, stating, “that the college of Bishops be requested to appoint a commission of five members, . . . which shall invite other branches of Methodism to unite with us in the preparation of such a statement of our faith, and such an expression of our doctrinal system, as is called for in our day.”

Concerning the propriety of such treatment of the creed, the dean of the theological school of Vanderbilt University said: “Let no one think for a moment that this is an effort to repudiate in the slightest degree the faith of our common Methodism, which has been a unit from the beginning. It is a call for a new statement, a new expression of old doctrine, not for a repudiation in any sense of that doctrine that has characterized our church from the very beginning. . . . We would not alter in any degree these twenty-five Articles. We would leave them just as they are and just where they are, to serve the intellectual and spiritual needs of any who may continue to get help and inspiration from them. Nevertheless, I for one believe that they have served their purpose by the will of God, and are now entitled to honorable superannuation.”

Considering the essential difference between that which is superannuated and that which is new and up to date, the problem of providing a new creed in the place of one that is outgrown, without repudiating “in the slightest degree” what the old creed affirms to be true, may prove to be a difficult one. Christian truth never becomes superannuated; how then can a correct statement of that truth ever get out of date? Such questions, however, apparently did not trouble the conference.

Various references were made by different speakers to the fact that “the technical standards of doctrine in our church are the fifty-two sermons of John Wesley and his expository notes on the New Testament.” This fact may explain why it is that the creed needs changing. Not even so able a servant of God as John Wesley could provide a basis for a creed that would be unchangeable. There is one unchangeable basis of the Christian belief, and that is the words of Jesus Christ, “the same yesterday, and to-day, and forever.”

Light from the words of Christ spoken by his apostles and prophets, show us that the trouble with the Christian church at this time is not that the creed has become superannuated and needs to be so revised as to be “up to date,” but that the old doctrines are being given up for new ideas that are neither Christian nor true. “Ask ye for the old paths” is good counsel to the church to-day. What is needed now is to “contend earnestly for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.”