Thursday Theological Threads

Welcome back, dear reader! I’m so glad you’re joining me on this theological journey through the Articles of Religion. Let’s start with the first article, “Of Faith in the Holy Trinity.” Before we begin, let’s consider the very notion of a "Holy Trinity." What does this mean? Well, in essence, it’s the recognition that God exists as three distinct persons—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit—yet these three persons are one God. This may seem like a paradox, but it is a paradox that lies at the very heart of our Christian faith. Now, you may be wondering how such a thing is possible. How can three persons be one God? Well, the answer lies in the very nature of God himself. You see, God is not merely a human being writ large; he is not subject to the limitations of space and time that we are. Rather, God is eternal, infinite, and omnipotent. He transcends our understanding and exists beyond our comprehension. (I may have got a bit carried away there. Let me say that in a mo...

Welcome to this theological blog series! Today, we’ll begin exploring the Articles of Religion—a set of theological statements that serve as a declaration of the church’s beliefs and are a key part of its doctrinal foundation. In this series, we will delve into the various articles, exploring their theological significance and relevance for our Christian faith. So, without further ado, let’s begin our journey! The History The Articles of Religion were originally created by the Church of England in the 16th century as a response to the theological debates of the time. They were intended to provide a clear statement of the church’s beliefs and to unify  its members in their understanding of the faith. Over time, other churches—including the Methodist Church—adopted their own version of the Articles of Religion. In the case of the Methodist Church, the Articles of Religion were first adopted in 1784 as part of the church’s constitution. These articles were largely based on the Article...