Basic Christian Methodist Beliefs

Description

Basic Christian Methodist Beliefs was written to meet what the author, Bishop Joseph A. Johnson, Jr., considered a definite need in the life of the church. The outline of the book took form while he served as pastor of the Capers Memorial CME Church in Nashville, Tennessee. To pastor that historic church was to be confronted in a living and dynamic way with the history, doctrine, polity, and discipline of the church. As a result, he felt compelled to inform and instruct the members about the history of the church, the Articles of Religion, the General Rules, basic Christian Methodist beliefs, the meaning of the Methodist ministry and itineracy, and the place and function of the local church in the community.

It was his intention that Basic Christian Methodist Beliefs be used as a companion volume to the Book of Discipline of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church. It was designed to be used by clergy, laity, missionaries, and youth. Moreover, the discussions of the Articles of Religion were structured so that clergy could use them in the development of sermons.

About the Author: Bishop Joseph A. Johnson, Jr. (1914-1979) was the thirty-fourth bishop of the Christian Methodist Church. Prior to being elected to the office of bishop, Johnson served as Professor of New Testament at the Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta and was the first president of Phillips School of Theology, then located in Jackson, Tennessee. Johnson graduated from Texas College and then received the Master of Theology and Doctor of Theology degrees at Iliff School of Theology. In 1953, he became the first African American to be admitted to Vanderbilt University, where he received the Bachelor of Divinity and Doctor of Philosophy (New Testament) Degrees. He is the author of The Soul of the Black Preacher, Basic Christian Methodist Beliefs, The Local Church and Lay Evangelism, and other works. He was a contributor to Gardiner and Roberts’ Quest for a Black Theology and Lincoln’s The Black Experience in Religion. His works have been included in anthologies of black theology and African American religious history.

© 1978 by Bishop Joseph A. Johnson, Jr.
Fourth Episcopal District Press

268 pages

*Note: These first edition books are new but show some wear and discoloration due to age.