Convictions Matter: The Function of Salvation Army Doctrines by Ray Harris

by jmifsud
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    Ray HarrisOn November 25th, 2015, at McNally Robinson Booksellers in Winnipeg, Major Ray Harris’ book Convictions Matter: The Function of Salvation Army Doctrines was launched.   Rev. Dr. James Christie, Director of the Ridd Institute of Religion and Global Policy, introduced Major Harris to the packed atrium by saying “It is his work within the Manitoba Multifaith Council that has garnered for him my, and many others, deep respect – an abiding respect.  His commitment is not simply to the life of The Salvation Army nor to the  Christian community broadly but to the entire enterprise of faith within this country and beyond … and in an increasingly secular and plural country it is that ability to move amongst worlds that, I think, is a hallmark of Ray’s ministry”

    Ray began his presentation by providing some background on The Salvation Army and then touched on the word doctrine“Doctrine” he said, “is a word that can really be misused and misunderstood in our times.  Words like doctrinaire, or even more tragically someone being indoctrinated, come to be connected with the word doctrine”.  In looking at the book Ray asks us to “think of the word doctrine in a different way and that is to think of it as a core conviction that guides individuals, organizations, even nations.  For example Habitat for Humanity has a core conviction that every person, every family should have a safe and affordable dwelling place in which to live.  Habitat for Humanity takes that core conviction into its’ houses.  In other words, it’s a core conviction that guides Habitat in what it does.  The Salvation Army has eleven core convictions and these all have a way of working their way into the life of The Army”.  It’s that sense in which Ray uses the word doctrine as a way of indicating that they really do shape and contribute to what we do.

    The book itself was written with a number of questions in Ray’s mind.  In particular, he found himself asking “I know we have these doctrines but they’re one hundred and fifty years old now.  In light of what’s going on in our world today do these doctrines still make sense?  Do they have any bearing on what it is that The Salvation Army does?” If you look at the book each chapter is divided to one of the particular doctrines that The Salvation Army has and each chapter is structured under the headings ‘Forming the Doctrine’, ‘Engaging the Doctrine’, and ‘Practicing the Doctrine.’

    Forming the doctrine:  These core convictions didn’t just fall out of the sky, they were formed over time.  If you take the word conviction as it is often used in the court room it is the result of a long process of weighing claims and counter claims.  It doesn’t just happen. 

    Engaging the doctrine:  When The Salvation Army instituted its doctrines in 1878 the world was not aware of google, it didn’t know what a Grey Cup was, things have changed in our world.  Ray felt an obligation to really engage our Doctrines with some of the current realities of our time. 

    Practicing the Doctrine:  The Salvation Army, if nothing else, is made up of doers.  We practice; not in the sense of an Orchestra practicing for an upcoming performance, but practicing in the way that a lawyer speaks of a law practice or the way a doctor speaks of medical practice as vocation.  It causes us to ask ourselves:  What is our vocation, calling, or practice as Salvationists in light of these particular doctrines?

    (R) General John Larsson’s forward in the book states “With its twin emphases on the Army’s doctrines being functional and having holiness as their common denominator, Convictions Matter is a groundbreaking book.  It is also a scholarly work of the highest order and tackles difficult doctrinal issues head on.  But with its amazing range of memorable down-to-earth illustrations and apt quotations, the author grounds the subject in daily life and makes it accessible to us.”

    For a newcomer wishing to engage in The Salvation Army this book provides a healthy understanding of Salvation Army Doctrine.  To the mature Salvationist, it is a refreshing and relevant look at our Doctrines and how to live by them in the 21st century.  For the others, it offers an exercise in exploring the idea that if what we believe makes us what we are, then convictions matter.

    Convictions Matter: The Function of Salvation Army Doctrines is available at McNally Robinson Booksellers for $14.99 or online at www.mcnallyrobinson.com.