In the Charles Wesley hymn, "And Can It Be That I Should Gain," make popular again in 2003 as the contemporary song, "Amazing Love," Charles describes his personal account of justification and regeneration. He shows how God's action in his life leads to a human response as, "My chains fell off, my heart was free, I rose, went forth, and followed thee."
In the Charles Wesley hymn, "And Can It Be That I Should Gain," make popular again in 2003 as the contemporary song, "Amazing Love," Charles describes his personal account of justification and regeneration. He shows how God's action in his life leads to a human response as, "My chains fell off, my heart was free, I rose, went forth, and followed thee."
Through a story that dates back to St. Patrick in 344 AD, we trace the history of the hymn, "Be Thou My Vision" and see how the themes of Celtic Christianity are reflected in it.
Through a story that dates back to St. Patrick in 344 AD, we trace the history of the hymn, "Be Thou My Vision" and see how the themes of Celtic Christianity are reflected in it.
In this hymn, with words by Charles Wesley, the understanding of sanctification as a "second rest" that "takes away our bent to sinning" (or "takes away our power of sinning") is elaborated upon as a key aspect of the Wesleyan Via Salutis (Way of Salvation) that leads to being perfected in love by the grace of God (Christian Perfection).
In this hymn, with words by Charles Wesley, the understanding of sanctification as a "second rest" that "takes away our bent to sinning" (or "takes away our power of sinning") is elaborated upon as a key aspect of the Wesleyan Via Salutis (Way of Salvation) that leads to being perfected in love by the grace of God (Christian Perfection).
The hymn, "All Creatures of our God and King", is a paraphrase of "The Canticle of the Sun" written by St. Francis towards the end of his life. In it, St. Francis considers the otherness of God and the response of creation to Creator, which is one of praise and humility. St. Francis sees all of creation as a gift from the Creator and he points towards the great gift of embodied grace in the person of Christ Jesus.
The hymn, "All Creatures of our God and King", is a paraphrase of "The Canticle of the Sun" written by St. Francis towards the end of his life. In it, St. Francis considers the otherness of God and the response of creation to Creator, which is one of praise and humility. St. Francis sees all of creation as a gift from the Creator and he points towards the great gift of embodied grace in the person of Christ Jesus.
The words to the hymn that we now know as "O For A Thousand Tongues To Sing" were written by Charles Wesley to commemorate the one-year anniversary of his evangelical conversion experience in May, 1738. His words lay out a personal account of the Wesleyan Via Salutis (Way of Salvation) in which the grace of God is central.
The words to the hymn that we now know as "O For A Thousand Tongues To Sing" were written by Charles Wesley to commemorate the one-year anniversary of his evangelical conversion experience in May, 1738. His words lay out a personal account of the Wesleyan Via Salutis (Way of Salvation) in which the grace of God is central.
The words of the hymn, Amazing Grace, chart an understanding of grace as both the unmerited love and favor of God, and as the work of the Holy Spirit that enables a person to grow towards the Imago Dei. The amazing nature of grace is revealed as it transforms' John Newton's life.
The words of the hymn, Amazing Grace, chart an understanding of grace as both the unmerited love and favor of God, and as the work of the Holy Spirit that enables a person to grow towards the Imago Dei. The amazing nature of grace is revealed as it transforms' John Newton's life.
As we approach the time of year when children (and grown ups) are starting school, we take time to bless them and wish them well, encouraging them to be aware of God's grace on every day and in every interaction.
As we approach the time of year when children (and grown ups) are starting school, we take time to bless them and wish them well, encouraging them to be aware of God's grace on every day and in every interaction.
In this service of "Blessing of the Animals" we look to see how grace is not a one-way street, from humans to animals, but is rather a reciprocal relationship in which humans are as much recipients as givers.
In this service of "Blessing of the Animals" we look to see how grace is not a one-way street, from humans to animals, but is rather a reciprocal relationship in which humans are as much recipients as givers.
Today we look to Luke's account in the Acts of the Apostles to see how one excluded from a large part of the religious life of Israel was welcomed into the community of those following Jesus through baptism, following a Scriptural discussion of the Good News.
Today we look to Luke's account in the Acts of the Apostles to see how one excluded from a large part of the religious life of Israel was welcomed into the community of those following Jesus through baptism, following a Scriptural discussion of the Good News.
When there is too much for one person to do, we can organize ourselves such that others join in and the work gets done. Today we compare the model used by Moses and the model employed in the Acts of the Apostles for getting things done. The Acts model, in one form or another, is still around today and seems to offer a format for the church to do ministry in a world in which there is far too much to do.
When there is too much for one person to do, we can organize ourselves such that others join in and the work gets done. Today we compare the model used by Moses and the model employed in the Acts of the Apostles for getting things done. The Acts model, in one form or another, is still around today and seems to offer a format for the church to do ministry in a world in which there is far too much to do.
The origin of Seven Deadly Sins, and the Seven Heavenly Virtues that stand in opposition to them, are traced and placed in the context of living a virtuous life aimed towards the vision of Jesus for the world.
The origin of Seven Deadly Sins, and the Seven Heavenly Virtues that stand in opposition to them, are traced and placed in the context of living a virtuous life aimed towards the vision of Jesus for the world.
Fortitude, understood as the midpoint between fearful caution and foolhardy recklessness, and perhaps best considered as “reasoned courage,” is both a cardinal virtue and a Gift of the Holy Spirit (Isaiah 11). Described by John Locke as "the guard and support of the other virtues," fortitude is the enabler of the other cardinal virtues and allows for a life that points to the Kingdom even in the face of unspeakable pain and suffering.
Fortitude, understood as the midpoint between fearful caution and foolhardy recklessness, and perhaps best considered as “reasoned courage,” is both a cardinal virtue and a Gift of the Holy Spirit (Isaiah 11). Described by John Locke as "the guard and support of the other virtues," fortitude is the enabler of the other cardinal virtues and allows for a life that points to the Kingdom even in the face of unspeakable pain and suffering.
The cardinal virtue of temperance - where self examination and self regulation lead to a more ordered life - was central to the Wesleyan understanding of growing in the faith. Wesley developed methods for self examination and self regulation that were employed within the structure of Methodism for many years and which were key to discipleship and ministry in the world.
The cardinal virtue of temperance - where self examination and self regulation lead to a more ordered life - was central to the Wesleyan understanding of growing in the faith. Wesley developed methods for self examination and self regulation that were employed within the structure of Methodism for many years and which were key to discipleship and ministry in the world.
How are our modern ideas about justice constructed and do they look at all like the ideas of justice that the Biblical narrative presents? As a cardinal virtue, justice - as constructed in the Bible - is one of the hinges on which the doorway to the Kingdom of God swings.
How are our modern ideas about justice constructed and do they look at all like the ideas of justice that the Biblical narrative presents? As a cardinal virtue, justice - as constructed in the Bible - is one of the hinges on which the doorway to the Kingdom of God swings.
Making the best possible choices and learning what to ignore and what to pay attention to is a subject of considerable importance today where what is fake and what is real are ever before us. The Writers of the Book of Proverbs spend time on the subject of "prudence" - a word that is uncommon today but which Aristotle saw as "right reason applied to practice" and which the church has historically seen as a cardinal virtue - a virtue that can be learned.
Making the best possible choices and learning what to ignore and what to pay attention to is a subject of considerable importance today where what is fake and what is real are ever before us. The Writers of the Book of Proverbs spend time on the subject of "prudence" - a word that is uncommon today but which Aristotle saw as "right reason applied to practice" and which the church has historically seen as a cardinal virtue - a virtue that can be learned.
