Whereas, The United Methodist Church incorporates confessional tradition (i.e., "The Articles of Religion" and "The Confession of Faith," The Book of Discipline, 1992) and inclusive tradition ("The Catholic Spirit," sermon by John Wesley); and
Whereas, The Book of Discipline, 1992 (Part II: Doctrinal Standards and Our Theological Task) preserves the inherent tension between doctrinal standards and theological exploration...[and] involves dialogue, debate, and some conflict." ("Biblical Wisdom and Current Theological Ferment," Council of Bishops, October 31-November 4, 1994); and
Whereas, maintaining an inclusive spirit about doctrinal, theological and language issues serves the greater purpose of helping people to affirm faith in Jesus Christ and appropriate the historic confessions of the Church; and
Whereas, confessing faith in scriptural truth honors rich diversity in the biblical witness and informs a deeper understanding of diversity among people of faith; and
Whereas, "indeed, the body does not consist of one member but of many...[and] God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose...The eye cannot say to the hand, `I have no need of you,' nor again the head to the feet, `I have no need of you.' On the contrary, the members of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and those members of the body that we think less honorable we clothe with greater honor, and our less respectable members are treated with greater respect;
Whereas, our more respectable members do not need this. But God has so arranged the body, giving the greater honor to the inferior member, that there may be no dissension within the body, but the members may have the same care for one another." 1 Corinthians 12:14-25, NRSV);
Therefore, be it resolved, that The United Methodist Church reject any spirit that seeks to divide the Body of Christ (and especially The United Methodist Church) and that cuts off the confessing and inclusive heritages by which United Methodists know themselves to be people of God; and
Be it further resolved, that we affirm our biblical faith in Jesus Christ and the spiritual gift of unity in human diversity.
General Conference Webmaster: Susan Brumbaugh
PETS Creator: John Brawn
Petition Text: 20266-DI-NonDis-O
1996 United Methodist General Conference