The Three Wills of God and Miscellaneous Thoughts

1. Intentional will = God desires for us to follow Him, glorify Him, and enjoy a relationship with Him 
2. Circumstantial will = Because God has given us free will, we can reject Him. Evil, disasters, and tragedy can drive us away from God.
3. Ultimate will = Jesus Christ’s sacrifice on the cross allows redemption from sin. By God’s grace, we are given the opportunity to repent and become sanctified as we strive to be holy like Jesus Christ, ultimately blessing us with love that gives us joy and peace

Fowler’s Stages of Faith:

1. Intuitive-projective faith–unable to compare ideas; simple belief 

2. Mythical-literal faith–making mysticism literal 

3. Synthetic-conventional faith–incorporating values 

4. Individuative-reflective faith–critical thinking 

5. Conjunctive faith–combining the mystical with critical thinking 

Walker’s Stages of Faith:

1. Instinctive faith–child-like faith

2. Literal faith–the Bible says it’s so

3. Humanistic (enlightened) faith– philosophy/psychology + Christianity

4. Rational faith–critical thinking based on experience, reason, and scripture

5. Transcendental faith–child-like faith + mysticism + scripture + critical thought

Bible has four levels of meaning:

1. Narrative
2. Allegory
3. Moral
4. Mystical

Methodist doctrine based on:

1. Scripture
2. Tradition
3. Experience
4. Reason

A great truth is a truth whose opposite is also a great truth…Neils Bohr

Predestination and Free Will Co-exist

PREDESTINATION = salvation issue  FREE WILL = abundant life issue

Salvation is not winning God’s approval; it’s about living in gratitude.