The Return of Christ

United Methodists can consult four doctrinal standards to discover the UM teaching regarding the Return of Christ: Article III in the Articles of Religion, Article III in the Confession of Faith, Wesley’s doctrinal sermon “The Great Assize,” and Wesley’s Notes upon the New Testament.

The Articles simply state that Christ will return to judge humanity.

Sermon 15 describes the signs that will immediately occur before Christ’s Return, events which are also mentioned in the Notes:

1.  From Acts 2:19 and Luke 21:11, Wesley concluded that worldwide earthquakes will precede the Second Coming. These global earthquakes will generate destructive waves (Luke 21:25). Not only the earth and the water but also the air will be affected-- it will be filled with dark mist, lightening, and thunder. Finally, the appearance of the sun and the moon will change and the stars will fall (Luke 21:25, 26, Acts 2: 20, and Rev. 6:13).

2.  After these global and cosmic disturbances a universal shout will be heard, the archangel will announce Christ’s approach, and the trumpet of God will sound (1 Thess. 4:16).

3.  Next, the dead will be raised (Rev. 20:13), and the angels will gather together Christ’s followers (Matt. 24:31).

4.  After all these signs and wonders, then Christ will appear in glory (Matt 25: 31).

The implication of this doctrine for Wesley? He related it to one of the Fruitful Means of Grace mentioned in the 'Large' Minutes-- “watching. . . . Do you steadily watch against the world, the devil, yourselves, your besetting sin?” (See Notes, Luke 21:36).

Wesley's writings present the prospect of Christ's Return and Judgement as a motivation for using the Means of Grace.  What motivates your spiritual discipline?

2012 Discipleship Plan

Working on my Disciple-Making plan was a pleasant part of getting ready for this year's Charge Conference. It feels good to get ideas down on paper. Of course, these goals and plans are open to revision. This is more of a plan of experimentation. If the plan doesn't work, if it doesn't make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world, then I will have no qualms about tossing part or all of it. It's the mission that matters, not the means to that end.

Beatitudes 1 & 2

In his doctrinal writings, Wesley described the Beatitudes as the "steps in Christianity" or the method that one should follow to attain present and eternal happiness (Sermon 21, pars. 3 and I.1, and Notes, Matt 5:2).  The following sermon is based on Sermon 21, Wesley's discourse on the Poor in Spirit and those who Mourn.  I have tried to express Wesley's concepts in contemporary language.

Cosmic Providence

DARPA hosted a starship symposium last week.  That's right, they want to build a starship, and they are bringing together scientists and engineers to discuss how to develop the necessary technology.  While DARPA designs plasma shields and interstellar light bulbs for its ship, I'm contemplating the doctrinal implications for the crew who will be worshiping the Creator within an unnatural environment. 

Reflecting on God's works was one of the ways that Christians exercised stewardship over the soul's capacity for understanding Wesley argued in his doctrinal sermon on the Last Judgment, Sermon 51, par. III.3.  This includes striving to know that God providentially gives us Life and Breath.

How does the crew of a submarine understand this aspect of providence when for them each breath depends upon technology designed by people?  And how much more dependent on human ingenuity will those on the starship feel?  What does a work of Providence look like in space?