Thoughts on quote from Methodist minister

[NotHomeYet]

This is a response from a Methodist minister to a comment a friend made about Revelation and the seven letters to seven churches.

"And no, this is a letter to churches that lived 1900 years ago. Did I not teach you anything? LOL Remember the power of myth and story? The letter gives us insights into the past and an interesting picture they thought would come true. The Good News we glean from this apocalypse is that nothing stops God from ushering in the Kingdom of God. Jesus wins over everything life throws at us."

I responded that I disagreed that the descriptions of the churches definitely applies to churches today (especially the Laodicean as we've talked about in this forum, but I didn't say that). I just wondered what you guys thought and if you would have responded differently? This minister used to be the paster of the Methodist church where my parents go but has recently been sent to a new church. I didn't want to say too much as he is still in contact with them and I didn't mean any disrespect and didn't know how he would take it. Thanks in advance for your responses

[Wally]

... what they though would come true?

I'd ask the pastor just who he though wrote the letter?

John? no

Scribe? no

Hand of God - Holy Sprirt?

Its all Truth. But then people walked with Jesus and wouldn't believe Him.

[Jan51]

Methodists do not take a literal interpretation of the Bible. So the issue isn't really this particular passage, it's the entire mindset toward the Bible.

[NotHomeYet]

Methodists do not take a literal interpretation of the Bible. So the issue isn't really this particular passage, it's the entire mindset toward the Bible.

This explains a lot. This was his response to my disagreeing with him:

"Now in my defense, I'm saying that the truth about God who overcomes the world and that we should be faithful to God through Christ is applicable to churches today. This is why this letter is in the Bible. My problem with people who read this letter as current events is that you are reading someone else's mail. In these seven churches in Asia Minor who are now extinct, you cannot cut your church and paste it in the first three chapters of the Apocalypse of John. You can glean the warnings from these churches about heretics and groups who say they really know what they're talking about, and follow them blindly down the road to ruin.

Furthermore, myths and stories are how our ancestors and our current storytellers make us think and lead us to truth that can only be found in Christ. So yes, well constructed stories and myths are all throughout the Holy Scriptures...in order to lead us to God and His righteousness.
God leads us by grace in other ways too. Classes (talking about a Bible literature class) are not designed to teach religion but to make us think, which leads us to discover God who has already sought us out. Intellectualism and well constructed theological systems are not dead in our faith, only for the people who are content with the blind person leading the blind into a pit. Just keeping thinking, praying, and practicing the means of grace!"

I don't really understand what he's trying to say in the last paragraph but I wanted to include it because of what he says about myths and stories. Is this what Methodists really believe? I am shocked but I guess I shouldn't be