From: "Clint Kerley" [email protected]
The title of my Master's Thesis at Wheaton College is "A Response to Postmodernism in The Wesleyan Church". The capitalization of the word "The" in the title turns a postmodernist off and should be the first thing to change. Just kidding (kind of). Here's my thesis statement: In the Wesleyan response to postmodern culture, we must return to our Anglican heritage and the mystical and Puritan influences in the life of John Wesley in order to offer a new context of spirituality to reach a new generation.
Generation X culture is a glowing example of the impact postmodernsim has had on a group of people. Why the Anglican church? Because it provides a contact point with the ancient church, with ritual, with symbol, with tradition, with architecture, with mystery, etc. Why the mystical influences? Because it provides a contact point with spirituality, with experience, with union with God, etc. Why the Puritan influences? Because it provides a contact point with ethics, with morality, with community, with family. I believe that these are all elements of worship that Generation X desires and needs and must be combined to produce a church for the 21st century. I end the thesis with a fun look at what I believe will be some characteristics of the Wesleyan Church-2020 and structure a Generation X service. I will be sure to send you a copy of my findings.
In Christ, Jon Wiest
From: "Jeffrey S. Sykes" [email protected]
If one was to accept the assertion that those concerned with choruses are absorbed in creed, the next logical question is "what creed?" As noted, these tend to be simple creeds. Here is my question. If Arius could say the Apostles creed without any sort of problem, how do these simple creeds teach people more than basic faith? Without discipleship and deep instruction in the faith simple choruses (that are simple creeds) produces simple Christians. These simple Christians are ignorant because they are disconnected from the learning necessary to make them mature Christians.
Thank God I went to a Christian College and am now attending Seminary. I was too simple in my faith that I was still a babe in Christ. Maybe my case is different. Maybe not. ----JS
From: Bob Younce [email protected]
It may very well be that today's choruses are creedal. It is interesting to compare the content of the choruses, though, with even a simple creed such as the Apostles' Creed. The Apostles' creed