I read this on Dale Tedder’s blog earlier today:
I want to suggest that God’s Word is the sure foundation we need for every sphere of life – for the light and heavy loads. United Methodists believe that God’s Word is authoritative and sufficient for every sphere of our faith and life.
His claim got me looking in my Book of Discipline. Is that what United Methodists believe?
Here are the relevant portions from the Articles of Religion and the Confession of Faith.
The Holy Scripture containeth all things necessary to salvation; so that whatsoever is not read therein, nor may be proved thereby, is not to be required of any man that it should be believed as an article of faith, or be thought requisite or necessary to salvation.
We believe the Holy Bible, Old and New Testaments, reveals the Word of God so far as it is necessary for our salvation. It is to be received through the Holy Spirit as the true rule and guide for faith and practice. Whatever is not revealed in or established by the Holy Scriptures is not to be made an article of faith nor is it to be taught as essential to salvation.
If I read this one way, it would seem to contradict Tedder. These clearly focus on the issues of salvation and what is necessary for that end. The doctrinal standards of the UMC do not mention “every sphere of life.”
But then I am reminded of the Wesleyan meaning of salvation: Holiness of heart and life. Salvation is not just about getting a ticket stamped for a seat on the heaven train. It is about the entire character of our lives now. Salvation is to move toward mature and complete holiness in heart and life.
If Scripture “containeth all things necessary” for salvation, then that would include all that is needed for a holy life and holy heart in this world.
This realization, however, does leave one issue that is beyond my grasp at the moment. In logic, there is a difference between being “necessary” and being “sufficient.” Tedder asserts that Scripture is sufficient and authoritative in all spheres of life. Our articles and confession say that Scripture contains all things necessary for salvation. This is an important difference. One I will attempt to muster the mental acuity to tackle in a later post.
I am a part-time local pastor serving 
The doctrine of original sin is surely more humbling to man than the opposite: And I know not what honour we can pay to God, if we think man came out of His hands in the condition wherein he is now.
[...] a helpful critique of my post on the authority and sufficiency of Scripture. You can read it by clicking here. I appreciate the opportunity to clarify and tighten my position on that [...]