Product Description
- By Jim Garrington
- 232 pages.
- Published 2002, The Salvation Army USA Central Territory
Personal Perspectives on Wesleyan beliefs and practices, based on the Articles of War, the membership document of The Salvation Army.
Foreword
When the Articles of War were revised several years ago under General Eva Burrows, I was faced with a dilemma. We were stationed in Munich, Germany, at the time, and I was about to begin a class for prospective soldiers. Suddenly the materials that I had used were obsolete. The doctrines had not changed, but the second half, the ethical statements, had. I had no choice but to "wing it." Actually, it really went pretty well.
The class was based on the way I saw things. My notes were exactly that: my notes. They were personal. The understanding of the doctrines was my understanding; the illustrations were for the most part out of my own experience; the emphases were those things about which I was passionate. This is, of course exactly what you might expect. I am convinced that these personal perspectives are appropriate for Salvationists, that the Founder would have approved. However, The Salvation Army has, wisely, left us a considerable amount of latitude in our understanding of our doctrines and in the practical expression of those beliefs. This means that it is possible other Salvationists may disagree with me on some points and still be within the boundaries of what it means to be a Salvationist. Some have indeed disagreed with me. In fact, I have rewritten this little volume several times; seomtimes to explain more where I thought my interpretation was clear, other times to include view points that I had found convincing.
When I got started on this project back in Munich, there was nothing else available. That has all changed. The Salvation Story: Manual of Salvationism has been updated to reflect the revisions of the Articles of War. Major Chick Yuill has written a very popular course for prospective soldiers, Battle Orders. Equipped for Battle is yet another resource, from my personal perspective.
I hope you do find this volume helpful and that you'll be able to use its contents in your own attempts to communicate The Salvation Army, and more importantly, the gospel. But whne all is said and done, my purpose in writing this is primarily to give God glory. May you be better equipped through the use of this volume to let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven (Matthew 5:16).
Jim Garrington, Major
