What We Believe

"What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us." - A.W. Tozer

The  Bible  consists  of  66  books  written  over  1,500  years  ago  by  over  40  distinctive  human  authors  in  different  places  and  situations.  These  authors  were  kings,  fishermen,  priests,  government  officials,  farmers,  shepherds,  and  doctors.  From  all  this  diversity,  some  intellectuals  believe  an  incredible  unity  exists  with  common  themes  woven  throughout.  However,  some  people,  including  scholars,  object  to  its  reliability  because  of  one  or  more  of  the  following  objections:

                        (1)  number  of  contradictions  and  discrepancies
                        (2)  descriptions  of  miraculous  historical  events  that  are  at  odds  with  science                        
                        (3)  violence,  genocide,  and  prejudice-  often  commanded  by  God
                        (4)  disconnect  of  relevance  to  modern  people
                        (5)  Christians  don't  agree  with  what  it's  saying

There  is  incredible  evidence  for  the  Bible's  reliability  in  answering  the  previously  listed  obstacles  to  faith,  but  it  requires  in-depth  study.  Most,  if  not  all,  of  us,  will  not  have  the  time  or  interest  in  an  academic  examination  of  the  Bible.  So,  our  approach  to  scholarly  "proofs"  is  to  provide  understandable  information  to  common  sense  thinkers.  

Our  goal  is  not  to  tell  you  what  to  believe  but  to  give  you  trustworthy  resources  to  prove  you  can  trust  the  Bible's  account  of  what  Jesus  said  and  did.  Since  Jesus  is  the  Bible's  central  character,  we  will  focus  on  the  authenticity  of  His  four  biographies:  Matthew,  Mark,  Luke,  and  John.  Once  we  make  the  case  for  the  accuracy  of  the  four  Gospels,  you  will  still  have  to  discern  how  to  interpret  them.  
 
Our  purpose  is  to  develop  humble  objectivity  in  approaching  the  Holy  Scriptures.  We  recommended  Cold-Case  Christianity  by  Jim  Wallace,  a  devout  atheist  for  37  years  and  a  cold-case  homicide  detective  for  over  a  decade  in  Los  Angeles.  When  Jim  applied  his  skills  as  an  expert  detective  in  the  New  Testament,  he  realized  the  case  for  Christianity  was  as  convincing  as  any  case  he'd  ever  worked  on.  
                    Jim  thoughtfully  reminds  us,  "The  first  principle  of  detective  work  is  to  be  objective.  I.e.,  Don't'  be  a  'KNOW-IT-ALL.'  We  all  hold  presuppositions  that  can  impact  how  we  see  the  world.  The  question  is  not  whether  or  not  we  have  ideas,  opinions,  or  preexisting  points  of  view;  the  question  is  whether  or  not  we  will  allow  these  perspectives  to  prevent  us  from  examining  the  evidence  objectively.  We  pray  that  we  can  be  open  to  following  the  evidence  wherever  it  leads."
 
Glenn  Williams  will  lead  this  book  study  beginning  in  September.  The  purpose  is  to  prepare  people  to  be  credible  witnesses  to  family  and  friends  who  struggle  with  legitimate  barriers  in  believing  the  Bible  is  true  and  relevant.  This  study  will  equip  everyone  with  thoughtful  insights,  a  website,  and  a  free  app  that  answers  the  25  most  common  objections  to  Christianity.  They  provide  short  conversational  responses  for  you  to  offer  and  references  for  those  you  know  who  struggle  with  the  Bible.  These  resources  will  especially  benefit  Millennials,  Gen  Z,  and  Gen  Alpha  (8  -  42  years  old).  Cold-Case  Christianity  for  Kids  8-12  is  available.  It  follows  the  same  chapter  sequence  as  the  adult  book,  so  parents  and  grandparents  can  discuss  the  books  with  their  children.

Prayerfully  consider  joining  us  in  equipping  ourselves  to  share  the  Good  News  of  Jesus  Christ  with  those  around  us  who  are  hurting  and  bewildered.    Buy  books  online  or  notify  the  office  to  order  for  you.  (Adult  $18  &  Child  $11)  ~  Pastor  Greg

What do we believe about God, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, and the Bible?

We  believe  God  created  humanity  to  live  in  covenant  with  Him.  However,  we,  as  sinful  creatures,  people  who  choose  to  go  their  own  way,  have  broken  that  covenant  and  need  redemption,  a  way  to  repair  that  broken  relationship.  Yet  God  truly  loves  us.  He  acted  through  the  life,  death,  and  resurrection  of  Jesus  Christ  to  bring  us  salvation  and  the  hope  of  eternal  life.

We  believe  God's  love  comes  alive  in  us  through  the  work  of  the  Holy  Spirit.  The  gift  of  the  Spirit  works  in  both  our  personal  experience  and  in  the  common  life  of  the  church.

We  believe  Holy  Scripture  is  inspired  by  God  and  contains  what  we  need  in  order  to  understand  and  love  God,  Jesus  Christ,  and  the  Holy  Spirit  and  receive  the  offer  of  a  whole  and  restored  relationship  with  God  —  salvation.

We  believe  that  in  justification  —  the  restoration  of  our  relationship  with  God  —  we  are  given  a  gift,  by  grace  and  through  faith  in  Jesus  Christ,  to  repair  and  renew  our  connection  and  live  a  new  life  the  way  God  intended  us  to  live.

We  believe  in  the  general  ministry  that  all  Christians  are  called  to  do  God's  will  in  mission  and  service  wherever  they  are.

We  believe  that  the  reign  of  God  is  both  a  present  and  future  reality.  This  gives  us  hope  today  and  a  future  forever.

We  believe  we  are  part  of  Christ's  Universal  Church.  We  enter  the  church  through  baptism,  and  in  Holy  Communion  we  celebrate  the  presence  of  Christ  and  find  strength  for  Christian  living.  The  church  is  one  in  Jesus  Christ.  We  express  our  unity  in  hymns,  prayers  and  liturgy,  in  the  historic  creeds,  and  in  the  belief  in  one  holy,  catholic  (universal),  apostolic  church.

What is a United Methodist?

United  Methodists  hold  to  the  historic  doctrines  of  the  Christian  faith  (listed  below).  We  do  this  in  ways  that  are  evangelical,  meaning  we  share  the  good  news  of  Jesus  Christ  freely,  but  we're  moderates  rather  than  fundamentalists.

We  look  to  the  Bible  as  the  primary  and  authoritative  guide  for  faith  and  practice.  In  addition,  we  value  tradition,  experience  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  and  our  reason  to  help  us  in  the  understanding  of  God,  Jesus  Christ,  the  Holy  Spirit,  and  all  of  creation.

Methodists  have  a  passionate  faith  with  strong  convictions,  but  we  also  recognize  that  the  world  is  not  always  black  and  white.  We  are  willing  to  ask  questions,  to  wrestle  with  difficult  issues,  and  to  do  so  with  grace  and  compassion.

Methodists  have  been  known  for  our  emphasis  on  a  personal  faith,  lived  out  in  concrete  ways  with  those  around  us  in  the  world.  We  have  historically  valued  well-informed  and  passionate  preaching,  lively  worship,  and  small  groups  where  people  can  grow  in  faith.

Methodists  have  open  hearts  and  open  minds  —  we  welcome  anyone  interested  in  learning  more  about  the  Christian  faith.

United  Methodists  are  the  second-largest  Protestant  denomination  in  the  United  States.  We  are  home  to  both  President  Bush  and  Senator  Dole,  as  well  as  President  Clinton's  family.

Methodists  have  played  a  significant  role  in  shaping  our  nation  and  the  Southern  California  region.  Pacific  Palisades  was  started  by  Methodists  as  a  place  of  summer  retreat,  spirituality,  and  inspiration.  The  Methodist  Hospital  in  Arcadia  was  founded  by  Methodists,  and  the  University  of  Southern  California  (USC)  was  also  started  as  a  private  religious  college  by  Methodists.

Over  the  years,  our  area  has  seen  settlement  houses,  homes  for  orphans,  community  centers,  medical  clinics,  food  pantries,  soup  kitchens,  camps,  and  many  other  kinds  of  outreach  into  the  needs  of  the  community  initiated  and  supported  by  the  Methodist  church.

Want to learn more?

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