Methodist Committee Tosses Out Charges Against Chicago Bishop

AgapePress ^ | 19 Feb 03 | Fred Jackson and Jody Brown

[xzins]

Methodist Committee Tosses Out Charges Against Chicago Bishop
Conservative Church Leaders Predicted Trial Would Never Come

By Fred Jackson and Jody Brown
February 19, 2003

(AgapePress) - A committee of United Methodist Church (UMC) bishops has dismissed charges against a fellow bishop who denies the basic biblical teachings about Jesus Christ.

Many United Methodist members have expressed outrage over statements made by Bishop Joseph Sprague of Chicago. They say he has denied the virgin birth, the physical resurrection of Jesus Christ, and that faith in Jesus Christ is the only way of salvation.

Based on that, a group of about 30 Methodists filed charges against Sprague late last year, calling for his removal. But now a committee of bishops that dealt with the charges has dismissed them, saying after reviewing the case they are convinced the Chicago Bishop "knows Christ as Lord and Savior, has faith in Christ's saving and transforming power, and is obedient to Christ's teachings."

Bishop Joseph Sprague

According to United Methodist News Service, the committee states the theological and doctrinal issues raised in the charges against Sprague are already "a matter of considerable public debate" within the United Methodist Church and that -- according to church law -- those charges should have been kept confidential. The committee made no mention of Sprague doing anything wrong. But it did criticize those who brought the charges for discussing the matter in public and has demanded they make a public apology.

Other recommendations emanating from the committee are that Sprague release a public statement reaffirming his adherence to the UMC's doctrinal standards, that Sprague and those who brought the charges engage in a "third-party public dialogue," and that the Council of Bishops enter in "serious theological reflection" on issues of biblical authority and Christology.

Pastor Thomas Lambrecht, a spokesman for the complainants, says they are deeply disappointed with the committee's response.

"This decision appears to give official sanction to the personal interpretation of our doctrinal standards in a way that diminishes their unifying and binding force," Lambrecht told UMNS. He predicts such an approach to theology will only lead to even deeper divisions in the denomination and weaken its ministry.

Earlier this month, two conservative leaders in the United Methodist Church had predicted the charges against Sprague would be dismissed. One of those, Dr. Don Wildmon, stated there would not be a trial because "there are many leaders in the church -- including other bishops -- who would agree with Bishop Sprague."

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[xzins]

Terribly disappointing news to biblical Methodists.

Not only were the charges dismissed, but those standing for scriptural Christianity were verbally chastised for even bringing them.

The high office leadership in United Methodism is thoroughly corrupt.

[Wrigley]

Wow.

Not to encourage schism, but haven't they left already?

[xzins]

Wrigs, I'm so discouraged that I can't even think at the moment.

[xzins]

WM, I'd like you to notice what I've just posted about my own denomination, the UMC. I am an ordained elder in that body (loosely called at this point).

These are the facts, however, and they must be addressed.

I'm sure I'll flinch when others start slicing and diceing with their rhetorical scalpels, but my task is to be fair with the data and the questions.

[drstevej]

White Mountain is only concerned about not trashing DEAD people. Now if Sprague slips on to his "reward" WM would expect us to only praise him.

You know, "Praise to the Man" or I'll hit the abuse button!

[Wrigley]

Keep your head up. This was all ordained.

[xzins]

:>)

Church of Thyatira

Revelation 2:18"To the angel of the church in Thyatira write:
These are the words of the Son of God, whose eyes are like blazing fire and whose feet are like burnished bronze. 19I know your deeds, your love and faith, your service and perseverance, and that you are now doing more than you did at first. 20Nevertheless, I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess. By her teaching she misleads my servants into sexual immorality and the eating of food sacrificed to idols. 21I have given her time to repent of her immorality, but she is unwilling. 22So I will cast her on a bed of suffering, and I will make those who commit adultery with her suffer intensely, unless they repent of her ways. 23I will strike her children dead. Then all the churches will know that I am he who searches hearts and minds, and I will repay each of you according to your deeds. 24Now I say to the rest of you in Thyatira, to you who do not hold to her teaching and have not learned Satan's so-called deep secrets (I will not impose any other burden on you): 25Only hold on to what you have until I come. 26To him who overcomes and does my will to the end, I will give authority over the nations--
27'He will rule them with an iron scepter; he will dash them to pieces like pottery'[2] --
28just as I have received authority from my Father. I will also give him the morning star. 29He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

[The Grammarian]

Positively infuriating.

[xzins]

Dismissing the charge out of hand is infuriating.

Chastising those who brought the charges, instead of the heretical bishop, is totally discouraging.

I might just leave, Grammar, if the Lord releases me.

[The Grammarian]

I would not blame you, though I am loath to leave myself--if it comes down to it, I may do the same. There's always the Association of Independent Methodists or the Free Methodist or Evangelical Methodist churches.

Pray that God places godly leaders in control, because if the majority position on this is any indication, we should be doubting the salvation of most of our present Council of Bishops.

...I wonder what Woody White's position on this is.

[xzins]

This means that the Northwest, Northcentral, and Northeast jurisdictions are altogether unholy.

The southern jurisdictions are the largest, but are they scriptural?

[RonF]

Unfortunately, there are no actual quotes in either this story or the attached links that actually quote the supposedly heretical statements made by the bishop. So this story gives little to judge on, except the statement signed off on by 30 bishops that they found no fault in the bishops's statements.

[xzins]

Have you considered the Evangelical Congregational or the United Brethren (Both splits from the old Evangelical United Brethren)?

[The Grammarian]

Here and here.

[xzins]

Sorry, Ron. I posted it as one very familiar with the issue. I'm an ordained elder in the denomination.

Go to ucmpage.org to pick up a long list of details.

Confessing Methodist website link

[The Grammarian]

I know that there are several bishops, particularly G. Lindsey Davis, who seem to be behind the Confessing Movement, at least. As far as the leadership goes, yeah, most of the North's leadership just declared itself apostate. The South's more conservative in laity, hopefully it is in leadership, too.

As to thinking about the Evangelical Congregation or the United Brethren, I'd not heard of either. I know that the Evangelical Church of North America was formed by many dissenting congregations of the EUB back in '68, but...No, I hadn't really considered those as options. Too loyal to non-Anabaptist sentiments, and all. ;)

[Wrigley]

Its everywhere.

This is from my former denomination.

http://www.christianweek.org/stories/vol16/no17/story2.html

I havn't found the story yet, but I believe the local Classis told that church they could not follow thru on this, but were not even disciplned for the action.

[xzins]

I'll find their websites and forward/post the links.

They are thorough EUB's. Their primary focus is initiatory (infant) baptism. There is a backdrop of confirmation and anabaptism that can be appealed to.

The bottom line: baptism theology is not more important than evangelism.

[xzins]

definitely heresy.

You departed that group didn't you?

[xzins]

evangelical congregational link

united brethren in christ link