Matt O'Reilly

Author of Free to Be Holy: A Biblical Theology of Sanctification // Lead Pastor @CC_Bham // Director of Research @WesleyBiblical // Fellow @CenPasTheo

[Matt O'Reilly @mporeilly]

What is holiness?

I get that question frequently since the publication of Free to Be Holy. Here's how it's answered in the book:

"God always does what’s right. He always does what he ought to do. For us, then, to be holy is to be formed in such a way that we consistently do what we ought to do—like God does" (3).

To be holy is to embody the character of God.

And that's the biblical vision for human life, start to finish.

More here: https://t.co/2aMWZpvbC5 @OfficialSeedbed

[Keith Mcilwain @KeithMcilwain]

@mporeilly @GlobalMChurch I think the revisions have made for better Articles & appreciate the fact that the team really took seriously the suggestions from the wider Church.

[Matt O'Reilly @mporeilly]

@KeithMcilwain @GlobalMChurch That’s encouraging. Thanks!

[Matt O'Reilly @mporeilly]

Here's my response to Joel Green's recent critique in Firebrand Magazine of the proposed Article of Faith on Holy Scripture and my case for its adoption by the Global Methodist Church.

I think Green's essay is substantively flawed in multiple ways.

I explain here: https://t.co/uoeq9mTuAo

[Matt O'Reilly @mporeilly]

@GlobalMChurch Watch the panel on the Articles here:

https://t.co/AWgxP3MozJ

[Matt O'Reilly @mporeilly]

Read the proposed Articles of Faith of the @GlobalMChurch here: https://t.co/7rZLxwZ3xx

[Matt O'Reilly @mporeilly]

Here are my three main takeaways from today's panel discussing the proposed Articles of Faith for the Global Methodist Church.

Read here: https://t.co/8C8heh0lTb

[Matt O'Reilly @mporeilly]

Here's my response to Scott Kisker's recent @FirebrandMag article criticizing the statement that "Scripture is without error..." in the proposed Articles of Faith.

It turns out that this sort of language is a well-established part of our Methodist heritage, and we have much to gain by including it in the Article on Scripture.

Read it here:

https://t.co/o26y2UfXy8

[Matt O'Reilly @mporeilly]

@gpclaw Agreed.

[Matt O'Reilly @mporeilly]

Why is the Global Methodist Church considering new Articles of Faith? Should the language be updated? What's the process going forward?

In this episode of Theology Project Dr. David Watson and I discuss these questions and more.

Watch on YouTube: https://t.co/gYe5oR3yDZ

Listen on your favorite podcast platform: https://t.co/2yihdvuUU1

[Firebrand Magazine @FirebrandMag]

"How Should We Speak of Human Nature? A Question for the Global Methodist Church"
by Matt O’Reilly

https://t.co/sbfASH1uxn
https://t.co/sbfASH1uxn

[Matt O'Reilly @mporeilly]

It was fun. Hope it was informative.

[Shane Raynor @ShaneRaynor]

This should be fun and informative. Coming up at 4 pm CST.
https://t.co/kamOf9o8CG

[Matt O'Reilly @mporeilly]

@JohnTho2200 @ShaneRaynor Note that the inspiration of scripture is the logical ground of the other three.

Because it's inspired, it's true.
Because it's inspired, it's not liable to fail.
Because it's inspired, it's authoritative.

[Matt O'Reilly @mporeilly]

Authority and truthfulness are two different aspects of the doctrine of scripture. It's a both/and rather than an either/or. Four categories tend to be in focus when articulating a doctrine of scripture: inspiration, authority, trustworthiness (or not liable to error in its affirmations), and infallibility (or not liable to fail in its purposes).

The proposed GMC statement address all of these.

Any standard account of inerrancy takes metaphor and symbolism into account. When Jesus says he's the door, inerrancy doesn't mean that he swings on hinges. No one who affirms inerrancy would say that.

[Matt O'Reilly @mporeilly]

@JohnTho2200 @ShaneRaynor Inerrancy is a claim about the text, not about interpretation. The text must be rightly interpreted. Highly recommend Vanhoozer's article "Well-Versed Inerrancy" to clarify many of these issues.

[Matt O'Reilly @mporeilly]

@ShaneRaynor It not only brings us in line with other orthodox Wesleyan/Methodists, the use of Lausanne language aligns the Global Methodist Church more closely with global evangelical Christianity.

[Matt O'Reilly @mporeilly]

We do a remembrance of baptism in these situations. The person comes up front and answers questions to reaffirm their commitment. A testimony could be involved, depends on person. I pray for them. Congregation reaffirms their commitment and celebrates the grace in the person’s life.

[Matt O'Reilly @mporeilly]

@AngloMethodist Ken was with us on the writing team for the proposed articles.

[Matt O'Reilly @mporeilly]

What does it mean for us that Jesus Christ has a human nature?

In light of the discussion around the proposed Articles of Faith (#5 in particular), I've put together a few reflections on how we Global Methodists might articulate our understanding of human nature in light of Christ's own fully divine and fully human nature.

There's also a bit of background on why this proposal was offered now.

Read it here: https://t.co/kk3m5DMNen

@FirebrandMag @GlobalMChurch

[Matt O'Reilly @mporeilly]

@millennialsins @ShaneRaynor @markdtooley Perhaps there are some contexts in which attaching a denominational name to a church plant might be a useful strategy. Not all contexts are the same.

[Matt O'Reilly @mporeilly]

@ShaneRaynor @millennialsins @markdtooley Our church is in the process of planting a new church in or near downtown Birmingham. Launches January 2027.

https://t.co/dZ84xkSDKN