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"The gospel does not explain the resurrection. The resurrection explains why we have the gospels." —Martin Luther Have you shared the NIC VOICE Newsletter with other UMC members? WATERSHED MOMENT It is important that we not allow the passing of what Bishop Ough’s Supervisory Team has characterized as a “Watershed Moment” without examining their dismissal of recent charges brought against Bishop Sprague. More importantly, presentations and discussions such as this forum will allow United Methodists throughout the Northern Illinois Conference and beyond an opportunity to decide for themselves what they believe to be the Biblical Truth about the doctrines that are at the root of this controversy.
The charges in the complaint against Bishop Sprague state that his positions are contrary to the Statement of Faith in the United Methodist Book of Discipline. This controversy became public when a transcript of Bishop Sprague’s speech at Iliff Seminary was released in the summer of 2002. Subsequent to that, Chapter 4 of his book, “Affirmations of a Dissenter” was released by Bishop Sprague on the NIC web site.
In the fall of 2002, the UMReporter published a series of articles contrasting excerpts from Chapter 4 of Bishop Sprague’s book with the published response of Bishop Whitaker.
In addition, various renewal groups officially within the UMC, as well as other groups not officially connected, have covered various aspects of this controversy on their web sites. They have published information and opinions about the complaint that was made by a group of laity and clergy late in 2002, and the subsequent dismissal in February of 2003. These groups provide a forum for this and other issues of concern within the UMC. MISSION NIC VOICE is a growing network of concerned laity whose purpose is to provide balanced information and dialog within the Northern Illinois Conference of the UMC about Doctrinal Issues raised by the Bishop Sprague Complaint & Dismissal.
This is in harmony with the recommendations by the Supervisory Response Team's dismissal of charges. They urged that the laity become involved in the process of "serious theological reflection on issues of Biblical Authority, Christology and the Mission of the Church".
NIC VOICE offers the laity within NIC churches an opportunity to become more INFORMED: Upon invitation from a NIC church or group, NIC VOICE will provide a speaker to conduct a presentation entitled "Discussion of Theological and Doctrinal Issues in the UMC Raised by the Bishop Sprague Complaint & Dismissal", or You may choose to conduct the presentation 'in-house', using the NIC VOICE Watershed Moment Presentation, at a single meeting or in a series of studies on these key doctrinal issues of: · Christology (Trinity, Virgin Birth, Deity of Jesus) · Resurrection of Jesus Christ · Salvation through Jesus Christ Alone · The Atonement of Jesus Christ SUBSCRIPTIONS To subscribe/unsubscribe, go to http://www.nicvoice.org/newsletter.htm.
If you don't have Web access, send your name and email address to:nicvoice@nicvoice.org or contact us: NIC VOICE P.O. Box 604 Crystal Lake, IL 60039-0604
For past issues, visit our archives at http://www.nicvoice.org/newsletter.htm.
Tell a friend about NIC VOICE. It's free! If they do not have e-mail access, you can print this newsletter and distribute it (see REPRINT AND FORWARD POLICY below.) DISCLAIMER NIC VOICE is sponsored by a laity-led network in the Northern Illinois Conference of the United Methodist Church dedicated to providing balanced information and dialog about issues of concern relating to the Bishop Sprague Complaint & Dismissal. This group has sole responsibility for the content of this letter.
NIC VOICE provides original content on our web site and may distribute information from other sources. NIC VOICE exercises no more editorial control over such information from other sources than does a typical public library, bookstore, or newsstand. The views and opinions expressed in such information do not necessarily reflect those of NIC VOICE. Copyright (c) 2003, NIC VOICE. All rights reserved. REPRINT AND FORWARD POLICY Subscribers are encouraged to forward NIC VOICE News Letter and web site links to others and/or print it in its entirety, without any changes, for noncommercial use only. If forwarding to another publication, please do so with the appropriate citation NIC VOICE in accordance with "fair use" rules, and our Disclaimer.
You can easily forward the NIC VOICE News Letter at http://www.nicvoice.org/newsletter.htm using the Send this Newsletter link to a friend capability. UNSUBSCRIBE NIC VOICE News is sent to inform you about significant additions to our web site or relevant information. If you would like to be removed from this list, please click on the word "UNSUBSCRIBE".
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) have been updated to include several questions of concern about NIC VOICE that we have received through Send Comments at the NIC VOICE - NIC (Northern Illinois Conference) Voice Home Page.
One of these questions follows: Q. (With regard to the Gospel of John and Jesus’ divinity) Absolute truth?? Absolutely not!! Sorry, it just doesn't wash.
A. The question of the Authority of Scripture is an area that needs to be addressed in the UMC. Article V – Of the Sufficiency of the Holy Scriptures for Salvation (Book of Discipline) states: “In the name of the Holy Scripture we do understand those canonical books of the Old and New Testament of whose authority was never any doubt in the church.”
The United Methodist Church affirms in Article V that the Old and New Testament Books of the bible are authoritative and accepted by the Church. The church has ruled by placing into our canon the books of the Old and New Testament that the writings are inspired by God. God speaks through His people. The writings that were determined to be Scripture are the words of God and “canonized”. Therefore, the Book of John is believed to be written by the inspiration of God. Christians believe that the author of the book of John did not put words into Jesus’ mouth, but recorded them for posterity. The final verses of the book of John say this: “This is the disciple who testifies to these things and who wrote them down. We know that his testimony is true. Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.”
Christians believe what is written in the Holy Bible and place themselves willingly under its Authority. The Book of Discipline says in Article V: “The Holy Scripture containeth all things necessary to salvation.” Those who wish salvation will find it in the passages of Scripture, which tell us what we must do to be saved. Scripture testifies to us Who God Is (Father/Son/Holy Spirit) and how He offers us salvation in and through the Son, Jesus Christ. We hope that you will explore more about the authority of Scripture and Truth. You may also find the following information helpful as you explore "Absolute Truth": Honest Answers to Tough Questions M-A-P-S to Guide You through Biblical Reliability
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