Editing Methodism (section)

{{Short description|Denominations of Protestant Christianity}}
{{Redirect2|Methodist|Methodist Church|other uses|Methodism (disambiguation)|and|Methodist Church (disambiguation)}}
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{{Methodism}}
{{Protestantism| expanded = Major branches}}

'''Methodism''', also called the '''Methodist movement''', is a [[Protestant]] [[Christianity|Christian]] [[Christian tradition|tradition]] whose origins, [[doctrine]] and practice derive from the life and teachings of [[John Wesley]].<ref>{{Citation |last=Strong |first=Douglas M. |title=The Cambridge Companion to American Protestantism |chapter=Wesleyan-Methodist and Holiness Traditions |date=2022 |pages=435–460 |doi=10.1017/9781108756297.024 |chapter-url=https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/cambridge-companion-to-american-protestantism/wesleyanmethodist-and-holiness-traditions/CABD49951AA714BEC7C7AAE121416947 |access-date=2024-04-11 |isbn=978-1-108-48532-6}}. "Methodism – the Christian tradition that traces its heritage to John Wesley"</ref> [[George Whitefield]] and John's brother [[Charles Wesley]] were also significant early leaders in the movement. They were named ''Methodists'' for "the methodical way in which they carried out their Christian faith".<ref name="BBC">{{cite web|title=Methodist Church|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/christianity/subdivisions/methodist_1.shtml|publisher=BBC|date=12 July 2011|access-date=4 January 2017}}</ref><ref name="Garrison1908">{{cite book |first1=Stephen O. |last1= Garrison |author1link=Stephen O. Garrison |title=Probationer's Handbook |date=1908 |publisher=Eaton and Mains |pages=21, 41 |language=English}}</ref> Methodism originated as a [[Christian revival|revival]] movement within [[Anglicanism]] with roots in the [[Church of England]] in the 18th century and became a separate denomination after Wesley's death. The movement spread throughout the [[British Empire]], the [[United States]] and beyond because of vigorous [[Christian mission|missionary work]],<ref name="Missionary Work">{{cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/americanmethodi00scudgoog |title=American Methodism |publisher=S. S. Scranton & Company |year=1867 |page=[https://archive.org/details/americanmethodi00scudgoog/page/n42 29] |quote=But the most-noticeable feature of British Methodism is its missionary spirit, and its organized, effective missionary work. It takes the lead of all other denominations in missionary movements. From its origin, Methodism has been characterized by its zeal for propagandism. It has always been missionary. |access-date=18 October 2007}}</ref> and today has about 80&nbsp;million adherents worldwide.{{#tag:ref|This figure {{As of|2013|alt=reported in 2013}} is an estimate by the [[World Methodist Council]] and includes members of [[united and uniting churches]] with Methodist participation. It represents approximately 60 million committed members and a further 20&nbsp;million adherents.|group="nb"}}<ref name="adherents">{{cite web |title=Member Churches |url=http://worldmethodistcouncil.org/about/member-churches/ |publisher=World Methodist Council |access-date=17 June 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130303123750/http://worldmethodistcouncil.org/about/member-churches/|url-status=usurped|archive-date=3 March 2013}}</ref> Most [[List of Methodist denominations|Methodist denominations]] are members of the [[World Methodist Council]].

[[Wesleyan theology]], which is upheld by the Methodist denominations, focuses on [[Sanctification in Christianity#Methodist|sanctification]] and the transforming effect of faith on the character of a [[Christians|Christian]]. Distinguishing doctrines include the [[born again#Methodism|new birth]],<ref name="Stokes1998">{{cite book|last=Stokes|first=Mack B.|title=Major United Methodist Beliefs|year=1998|publisher=Abingdon Press|language=en|isbn=978-0687082124|page=95}}</ref> [[assurance (theology)|assurance]],<ref name="AbrahamKirby">{{cite book |last1=Abraham |first1=William J. |last2=Kirby |first2=James E. |title=The Oxford Handbook of Methodist Studies |date=2009 |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=978-0191607431 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.irishmethodist.org/sites/default/files/pdf/news/distinctive_emphases_of_methodist_belief.pdf|title=Distinctive Emphases of Methodist Belief|website=The Methodist Church in Ireland|access-date=2019-11-01|archive-date=4 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200804011740/https://www.irishmethodist.org/sites/default/files/pdf/news/distinctive_emphases_of_methodist_belief.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref> [[imparted righteousness]], and obedience to God manifested in performing [[works of piety]]. John Wesley held that [[entire sanctification]] was "the grand depositum", or foundational doctrine, of the Methodist faith, and its propagation was the reason God brought Methodists into existence.<ref name="DaviesGeorge2017"/><ref name="Gibson"/> [[Bible|Scripture]] is considered the [[Prima scriptura#Methodism|primary authority]], but Methodists also look to [[Christian tradition]], including the historic [[creed]]s. Most Methodists teach that [[Jesus in Christianity|Jesus Christ]], the [[Son of God (Christianity)|Son of God]], [[Unlimited atonement|died for all of humanity]] and that [[Salvation in Christianity|salvation]] is achievable for all.<ref name="StanglinMcCall2012">{{cite book |last1=Stanglin |first1=Keith D. |last2=McCall |first2=Thomas H. |title=Jacob Arminius: Theologian of Grace |date=2012 |publisher=[[Oxford University Press]] |isbn=978-0199755677 |page=153 |language=en}}</ref> This is the [[Arminian]] doctrine,{{#tag:ref||group="nb"|name="Arminianism"}} as opposed to the [[Reformed Christianity|Calvinist]] position that God has [[predestination|predestined]] the salvation of a [[Election in Christianity|select group]] of people. However, Whitefield and several other early leaders of the movement were considered [[Calvinistic Methodists]] and held to the Calvinist position.

The movement has a wide variety of forms of [[Christian worship|worship]], ranging from [[high church]] to [[low church]] in [[Christian liturgy|liturgical]] usage, in addition to [[tent revival]]s and [[camp meeting]]s held at certain times of the year.<ref name="Iovino2018">{{cite web |last1=Iovino |first1=Joe |date=4 September 2018 |title="Fishing with a large net": United Methodist camp meetings |url=https://www.umc.org/en/content/fishing-with-a-large-net-united-methodist-camp-meetings |access-date=4 June 2021 |publisher=[[The United Methodist Church]] |language=En-us}}</ref> Denominations that descend from the British Methodist tradition are generally less ritualistic, while worship in American Methodism varies depending on the [[List of Methodist denominations#North America|Methodist denomination]] and congregation.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Tucker|first1=Karen B. Westerfield|title=American Methodist Worship|date=2001|publisher=Oxford University Press|location=Oxford|isbn=978-0198029267|pages=11–12}}</ref> Methodist worship distinctiveness includes the observance of the quarterly [[lovefeast]], the [[watchnight service]] on New Year's Eve, as well as [[altar call]]s in which people are invited to experience the new birth and entire sanctification.<ref name="Tovey2016">{{cite book |last=Tovey |first=Phillip |title=The Theory and Practice of Extended Communion |date=24 February 2016 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=9781317014201|pages=40–49}}</ref><ref name="Eckett">{{cite book |last1=Eckett |first1=Robert |title=Methodism |date=1865 |publisher=Hamilton, Adams, & Co. |page=129 |language=en}}</ref> Its emphasis on [[Sanctification in Christianity#Methodist|growing in grace]] after the new birth (and after being entirely sanctified) led to the creation of [[class meeting]]s for encouragement in the Christian life.<ref name="Thomas2018">{{cite journal|last=Thomas|first=Louisa|date=August 2018|title=The Relevance of the 18th Century Wesleyan Class Meeting in the 21st Century Church|journal=The Allegheny Wesleyan Methodist|publisher=[[Allegheny Wesleyan Methodist Connection]]|volume=80|issue=8|pages=8–9|language=en}}</ref> Methodism is known for its rich musical tradition, and Charles Wesley was instrumental in writing much of the [[hymn]]ody of Methodism.<ref name="Methodist Hymnbody">{{Cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/acollectionhymn03weslgoog |title=A Collection of Hymns, for the use of the people called Methodists |publisher=T. Blanshard |year=1820 |isbn=978-0-19-812529-7 |quote= |access-date=31 December 2007}}</ref>

In addition to [[evangelism]], Methodism is known for its [[charity (Christian virtue)|charity]], as well as support for the sick, the poor, and the afflicted through [[works of mercy]] that "flow from the love of God and neighbor" evidenced in the entirely sanctified believer.<ref name="Heitzenrater2002">{{cite book |last1=Heitzenrater |first1=Richard P. |title=The Poor and the People Called Methodists |date=2002 |publisher=Abingdon Press |isbn=978-0-687-05155-7 |language=en|pages=70–71}}</ref><ref name="Wilson2005">{{cite book |last1=Wilson |first1=Charles Reagan |title=Encyclopedia of Religion in the South |date=2005 |publisher=Mercer University Press |isbn=978-0865547582 |language=en |quote=Both Southern Baptist and Methodist organizations engaged in evangelism and social service missions in the United States and abroad. ... However, despite their similarities in evangelism and social services, by the dawn of the 20th century the two denominational women's movements had already diverged from each other because the Methodist organizations had embraced the Social Gospel. They had embarked not only on social service in addition to evangelism but on social reform.}}</ref><ref name="Social_holiness">{{cite web|title=Wesley on Social Holiness|url=http://www.methodist.org.uk/downloads/wc_Eur_John_Mcmaster_Wesley_on_Social_Holiness.pdf|publisher=The Methodist Church in Britain|access-date=18 October 2016}}</ref> These ideals, the [[Social Gospel]], are put into practice by the establishment of hospitals, orphanages, soup kitchens, and schools to follow Christ's command to spread [[the gospel]] and serve all people.<ref name="2009AbrahamKirby">{{cite book |last1=Abraham |first1=William J. |last2=Kirby |first2=James E. |title=The Oxford Handbook of Methodist Studies |date=2009 |publisher=[[Oxford University Press]] |isbn=978-0191607431 |language=en |quote=First, it is clear that 'evangelism' is primarily concerned with the evangel, the gospel, or the good news we bear in the world.}}</ref><ref name="Establishments">{{cite book|url = https://archive.org/details/modelsforchristi0000unse|url-access = registration|page = [https://archive.org/details/modelsforchristi0000unse/page/n301 290]|title =Models for Christian Higher Education: Strategies for Survival and Success in the Twenty-First Century|editor-last1=Hughes|editor-first1=Richard T. |editor-last2=Adrian|editor-first2=William B. |publisher = [[William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company]]|quote=Wesleyan institutions, whether hospitals, orphanages, soup kitchens or schools, historically were begun with the spirit to serve all people and to transform society.|access-date = 18 October 2007|isbn =978-0802841216|year =1997}}</ref><ref name="Wilson2005"/> Methodists are historically known for their adherence to the doctrine of [[nonconformity to the world]], reflected by their traditional standards of a commitment to sobriety, prohibition of gambling, regular attendance at class meetings, and weekly observance of the [[Friday fast]].<ref name="Scott2016"/><ref name="McKnight2010"/>

Early Methodists were drawn from all levels of society, including the aristocracy,{{#tag:ref|This social analysis is a summary of a wide variety of books on Methodist history, articles in ''The Methodist Magazine'', etc. Most of the Methodist [[aristocracy]] were associated with [[Selina Hastings, Countess of Huntingdon]], who invited Methodist preachers to gatherings that she hosted. Methodists were leaders among Christians at that time who reached out to the poorest of the working classes. A number of soldiers were also Methodists.<ref>J A Clapperton, "Romance and Heroism in Early Methodism", (1901)</ref>|group="nb"|name="class"}} but the Methodist preachers took the message to social outcasts such as criminals. In Britain, the Methodist Church had a major effect in the early decades of the developing [[Social class in the United Kingdom|working class]] (1760–1820).<ref name="Swatos1998">{{cite book|last=Swatos|first=William H.|title=Encyclopedia of Religion and Society|year=1998|publisher=[[Rowman & Littlefield|Rowman Altamira]]|language=en|isbn=978-0761989561|page=385}}</ref> In the United States, it became the religion of many slaves, who later formed [[black church]]es in the Methodist tradition.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Montgomery |first1=William E. |title=Under Their Own Vine and Fig Tree: The African-American Church in the South, 1865–1900 |date=1993 |publisher=Louisiana State University Press |isbn=0-8071-1745-5 |location=Baton Rouge, Louisiana |language=en-us}}</ref>
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