The Love of Scripture

The Love of Scripture



This is the second video in the Proud To Be UMC video series where Adam Hamilton, the pastor of Church of the Resurrection, responds to challenges to the UMC from Rob Renfroe of Woodlands Methodist Church about why United Methodists should consider leaving the United Methodist Church. Hamilton made it clear that there's another side to the story, stating that.

Understanding the Bible

In this video, Hamilton emphasized the importance of understanding and interpreting the Bible. Rob Renfroe had argued that believing the Bible is the word of God might lead to discomfort within the United Methodist Church. In response, Hamilton asserted,

"I want to emphasize that you can indeed find the United Methodist Church to be a welcoming place for in-depth scriptural study, free questioning, and righteous interpretation."

Hamilton stressed the need to interpret the Bible in light of its broader context, including the witness of other parts of the Bible, the historical and cultural context, the guidance of the Holy Spirit, the traditions of the church, and the use of our intellect and reason. He said,

"We interpret it with the help of intellect, reason, and our experience."

Interpreting Difficult Passages

Both Rob Renfroe and Adam Hamilton acknowledged that the Bible includes verses that may appear inconsistent with the character of God as revealed in Jesus. Hamilton provided examples, such as the command for priests to burn their daughters alive if they become prostitutes and over 200 verses that allow for slavery. He said,

"It's essential to acknowledge that challenging verses in the Bible exist, and it's our task to make sense of them."

"Interpreting the Bible requires understanding that we can find justifications for almost anything within its pages,"
Hamilton pointed out. He emphasized the importance of interpreting challenging passages in light of the major themes of the Bible, such as God's justice, mercy, compassion, and understanding.

The Future of the United Methodist Church

As the United Methodist Church moves forward, it will continue to be a home for a diverse range of believers. Hamilton explained that the church will welcome conservatives with traditional views on marriage, centrists navigating the middle ground, and progressives who recognize that God's love extends to everyone, including the LGBTQ+ community. He stated,

"The church will remain a place where asking questions, studying scripture, and striving to live by its teachings are encouraged."

In conclusion, Hamilton reiterated that the United Methodist Church is a place where the study and interpretation of scripture are vital aspects of faith. He emphasized,

"If you have a deep love for the Bible and a desire to explore its meaning within a supportive community, you'll find a welcoming home within the United Methodist Church."

"Join us for the next video where we'll discuss who Jesus is and what the future holds for the United Methodist Church. Stay tuned!"


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The Purpose Of Worship: Shaping Our Lives Beyond Sunday

Published: September 12, 2024

Why do we gather for worship? In a world where we can connect with God anywhere, anytime, what's the purpose of coming together in a physical space? These are questions that challenge us to reflect on the true meaning and impact of corporate worship in our lives. It's easy to fall into the mindset that God is only present in church, that our spiritual lives are compartmentalized to Sunday mornings. We may give God fleeting thoughts throughout the week, but often fail to recognize His constant presence in every moment. This limited view of worship can lead us to treat it as a duty—something we do for an hour each week before returning to our "real" lives. But what if worship is meant to be so much more? The truth is, we don't come together simply to worship God—though that's certainly part of it. We gather to be shaped by our worship, to be transformed in ways that impact how we live when we leave the building. Our time of corporate worship should change our hearts, broaden our perspectives, and equip us to live differently in the world. Consider how gathering with diverse believers challenges us to expand our view of the global church. When we worship alongside those who may not look like us, believe exactly as we do, or come from our background, we get a glimpse of what the triumphant church in heaven will look like—a multitude from every nation, tribe, and tongue. This experience breaks us out of our tendency to surround ourselves only with those who are similar to us. Our acts of worship also shape us in practical ways: Offering our tithes and gifts teaches us to live generously beyond the walls of the church. Reading Scripture together equips us to encounter God's Word on our own throughout the week. Praying for one another's joys and sorrows reminds us that God is at work in the world and that He hears our prayers. Receiving a benediction and blessing sends us out with strength for the days ahead. The blessing we receive isn't just for our own benefit. Throughout Scripture, we see that God blesses His people so that they can be a blessing to others. From Abraham to the nation of Israel, God's pattern is clear: "I will bless you... so that you will be a blessing" (Genesis 12:2). As we leave our time of worship, we should overflow with blessing to everyone we encounter. This leads us to a crucial question: If our lives are no different when we walk out of church than when we walked in, what was the point? If we haven't truly encountered the living God, been challenged by His Word, or been moved to live differently as His disciples, then our time together has missed the mark. As followers of Christ, we believe that our faith journey is incremental. We don't become perfect the moment we decide to follow Jesus. Instead, it's a daily process of growing in our love for God, for His people, and for His creation. Each day, through the power of the Holy Spirit, we strive to demonstrate that love more fully in our words and actions. This is the essence of discipleship—a continual journey of becoming more like Christ. While we believe it's possible to be made perfect in love during our earthly lives, it's not something we can achieve on our own or claim for ourselves. As John Wesley wisely noted, those who believed they had attained perfection in love were often the furthest from it. So why do we gather? We come together to be commissioned, to be reminded of Jesus' call to His disciples: "Go into all the world and preach the gospel" (Mark 16:15). This isn't about forcing our faith on others or cornering unwilling listeners. Rather, it's about being prepared to engage with those who are questioning, searching for meaning, or struggling to find hope. Despite what headlines might suggest, the world isn't dominated by militant atheists or those adamantly opposed to faith. Instead, there are countless individuals who are simply unsure, who have genuine questions about life's purpose and meaning. Our call is to live in such a way that our faith stands out—demonstrating joy, peace, and an unshakable assurance grounded in our relationship with God. Your story of faith doesn't have to be a dramatic before-and-after tale. Perhaps you've grown up in the church, gradually deepening your relationship with Christ over time. That journey is just as powerful and worth sharing. The key is to reflect on how your time in worship impacts the other 167 hours of your week. As our worship experience shapes us, it should naturally overflow into a different kind of worship outside the church walls: Giving thanks to God for His blessings Offering hope to the hopeless Praying for those who are hurting Seeking out those who are lost or questioning Our task isn't to have all the answers or to dictate what others should believe. Instead, we're called to listen, to walk alongside those who are searching, and to share how God has worked in our own lives. This is how we can see transformation and healing in our communities. Ultimately, our weekly gathering serves to recharge us spiritually. When the world beats us down and we feel our spiritual batteries draining, we come together again to pray, sing, hear God's Word, and be blessed and sent out anew. We remind each other of who we are in Christ and find the strength, hope, and courage we need for the week ahead. This is why we gather. This is why we worship. Not just as an end in itself, but as a means of becoming who God has called us to be—His hands and feet in a world that desperately needs His love. As we leave our time of worship, may we go with this commission ringing in our ears: to welcome the unwanted, to love the unloved, and if they won't come to us, to go to them. Let our worship be more than a weekly ritual. Let it be the catalyst that transforms our lives and, through us, brings hope and healing to our world.

Sandwiched!

Published: October 17, 2024

We discuss the challenges faced by the "sandwich generation," who are responsible for caring for their aging parents and raising their own children simultaneously. Navigating these difficulties can be made easier by turning to one's faith for guidance, comfort, and seeking support from the faith community. By trusting in God's plan, practicing self-care, and finding joy in small moments, individuals can overcome the challenges of the sandwich generation and find peace and contentment in their lives.
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