Lifesway faith basis

LIFESWAY publications are intended to encompass popular but academically sound works on apologetics and lifestyle biblical study. 

LIFESWAY publications are not the “official” publications of any particular denomination, but the formation of LIFESWAY is in context of the stream of evangelical theology embraced by movements such as the Free Methodist Church, the Church of the Nazarene, the Salvation Army, and some of the modern house-church movements like Ichthus.  In particular, it can be said that for works published by LIFESWAY:

1. Such works will be sympathetic to the general doctrinal positions presented in the Articles of Belief of the Church of the Nazarene and the Free Methodist Church.
   
   
   
2. Such works will carry the perspective outlined in the avowals of belief required for members in the Nazarene Church, which is similar to the beliefs of Free Methodists:
   
   
   1. In one God - the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
   2. That the Old and New Testament Scriptures, given by plenary inspiration, contain all truth necessary to faith and Christian living.
   3. That man is born with a fallen nature, and is, therefore, inclined to evil, and that continually.
   4. That the finally impenitent are hopelessly and eternally lost.
   5. That the atonement through Jesus Christ is for the whole human race; and that whosoever repents and believes on the Lord Jesus Christ is justified and regenerated and saved from the dominion of sin.
   6. That believers are to be sanctified wholly, subsequent to regeneration, through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
   7. That the Holy Spirit bears witness to the new birth, and also to the entire sanctification of believers.
   8. That our Lord will return, the dead will be raised, and the final judgment will take place.
      
      
      
3. Such works will be sympathetic to the manifesto (issued on February 8, 2006) of the “Wesleyan Holiness Study Project”, a three year project funded and commissioned by the top leaders of ten denominations in North America including: Salvation Army, Church of the Nazarene, and the Free Methodist Church. This reads as follows:
   

   The Message We Have

   God is holy and calls us to be a holy people.
   
   God, who is holy, has abundant and steadfast love for us. God's holy love is revealed to us in the life and teachings, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. God continues to work, giving life, hope and salvation through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, drawing us into God's own holy, loving life. God transforms us, delivering us from sin, idolatry, bondage, and self-centeredness to love and serve God, others, and to be stewards of creation. Thus, we are renewed in the. image of God as revealed in Jesus Christ.

   Apart from God, no one is holy. Holy people are set apart for God's purpose in the world. Empowered by the Holy Spirit, holy people live and love like Jesus Christ. Holiness is both gift and response, renewing and transforming, personal and communal, ethical and missional. The holy people of God follow Jesus Christ in engaging all the cultures of the world and drawing all peoples to God.

   Holy people are not legalistic or judgmental. They do not pursue an exclusive, private state of being better than others. Holiness is not flawlessness but the fulfillment of God's intention for us. The pursuit of holiness can never cease because love can never be exhausted.

   God wants us to be, think, speak and act in the world in a Christ-like manner. We invite all to embrace God's call to:

   • be filled with all the fullness of God in Jesus Christ-Holy Spirit-endowed co-workers for the reign of God;
   • live lives that are devout, pure, and reconciled, thereby being Jesus Christ's agents of transformation in the world;
   • live as a faithful covenant people, building accountable community, growing up into Jesus Christ, embodying the spirit of God's law in holy love;
   • exercise for the common good an effective array of ministries and callings, according to the diversity of the gifts of the Holy Spirit;
   • practice compassionate ministries, solidarity with the poor, advocacy for equality, justice, reconciliation, and peace; and
   • care for the earth, God's gift in trust to us, working in faith, hope, and confidence for the healing and care of all creation.

   By the grace of God, let us covenant together to be a holy people.

   The Action We Take

   May this call impel us to rise to this biblical vision of Christian mission:

   • Preach the transforming message of holiness;
   • Teach the principles of Christ-like love and forgiveness;
   • Embody lives that reflect Jesus Christ;
   • Lead in engaging with the cultures of the world; and
   • Partner with others to multiply its effect for the reconciliation of all things.

   For this we live and labour to the glory of God.