United Methodist Doctrine: The Extreme Center

Been waiting for a book like this, for a long time. As a lifelong United Methodist, I've always struggled to pinpoint what we believe in. Pastors would point me to the Book of Discipline, like throwing someone in the deep end of the pool without a lifeguard! If you are looking for something that encapsulates what we believe, what our doctrine is, this is a great book. Weaves together the documents of our faith. Envisions the Extreme Center, a merging or meeting of the social and personal gospel. My experience growing up in the church is that we neglected the personal gospel in favor of the social during the 1960s and 70s, then completely forgot about it. This helps us retrieve that, without it overshadowing the social gospel.Then I would highly recommend that readers take a closer look at Wesley's sermons, as Jones calls them to your attention. All are online and free to read. While this takes a while to wade through, it is well worth the effort. Very rewarding and satisfying to those who long to know more.

One of the best primers on UMC doctrine there is. Jones is thorough in his explanation of the different areas of United Methodist beleifs and practices, while also giving practical tools for application. As a United Methodist pastor, I refer to this text often as I teach, preach, and refresh my own understanding of our church's practices.

HE IS HONEST ABOUT THE DENOMINATION'S DOCTRINAL SHORTCOMINGS. THAT'S A VERY GOOD THING. I'M A LIFELONG METHODIST, BUT I JUST THINK TOO MUCH IS MISSING FROM OUR DOCTRINE. I DON'T LIKE BEING THE EXTREME CENTER. ONE EXAMPLE (THE MOST IMPORTANT ONE): WE'RE WISHY-WASHY ABOUT THE AUTHORITY OF THE BIBLE. EVANGELISM IS MORE THAN EXPLAINING DENOMINATIONAL DOCTRINE. METHODIST DOCTRINE IS MUCH TOO INTRICATE, AND JONES, I BELIEVE, COULD HAVE MADE IT SOMEWHAT CLEARER. OF COURSE THE DIFFICULTY DOESN'T FALL COMPLETELY ON THE AUTHOR. THE SUBJECT MATTER IS EXTREMELY CHALLENGING. MAYBE MY EVALUATION WILL CHANGE BY THE TIME I FINISH READING THE BOOK.

An extremely well developed treatise on the essentials of United Methodist doctrine. I suspect it is a bit challenging for the casual reader seeking insights on what distinguishes United Methodism, but for those who want to really dig into UMC doctrine, it is tremendous

i really got a lot from this book - it was a required text for my UMC doctrine class and explained everything so well and so clearly. Made sense of doctrine as Wesley saw it and gave good material for figuring out how to apply it in today's culture.

I needed to get this book for my United Methodist ordination work over the summer. It is concise yet extremely detailed on our stance and theology. Even if you aren't pursuing ordination, I'd suggest this book for anyone interested in understanding the United Methodist thought process.

Jones does a good job of defining the United Methodist Church centrist doctrine. So many misquote what they think Methodist Doctrine is. Jones handles this subject very well. Taught things I didn't know about John Wesley. Very good textbook.

for class and was pretty good