The Oxford Group
Christian fellowship founded by Frank Buchman
Believed the root of all problems are the personal problems of fear and selfishness
Solution: surrender one's life to God's plan
Frank Buchman was converted in Keswick, England in 1908 by the preaching of Jesse Penn-Lewis
13 years later Buchman founded the, "First Century Christian Fellowship" (1921)
By 1931 it was known as the Oxford Group
The 1930's were significant years
1932 Archbishop of Canterbury said, "this is a gift which the church is in need of."
1934 Archbishop of York said, "Oxford groups are being used to demonstrate the power of God and change lives."
How God Can Lead People (the way Oxford Group was described)
Oxford group seeks to be living Christianity
Builds on accomplished work of Jesus Christ
For problems to be solved, personal problems of selfishness and fear must be solved, lives must be changed
Peace in the world comes from peace in the hearts of men and women
The Holy Spirit is the answer
The secret is God-control
This is the aim of the Oxford Group
God-controlled people make God-controlled nationsÂ
The true patriot gives his life to bring his nation under God's control
Everybody can listen to God
You can listen to God, I can listen to God, everybody can listen to God
It was not a religion
No hierarchy, no temples (buildings), no endowments
Workers have no salary, no plans but God's plan
One could not belong to the Oxford Group for it had no membership list or definite location
Simply group of people from all walks of life who have surrendered their life to God
Endeavor was to live a life under God's guidance (Holy Spirit) and to carry the message so others could do the same
A movement unhampered by institutional ties
Combined social activities with evangelism
No organized board of officers
Declared itself not an "organization" but an "organism"
Though Frank Buchman was founder and leader, group members believed leader to be the Holy Spirit and relied on God-control:Â guidance received from God (Holy Spirit) by those people who have fully surrendered to God's will
By working within all churches regardless of denomination, they drew new members
Newspaper account in 1933 described it as personal evangelism
One man talking to another or one woman sharing with another
1936 group was described as having no membership, no dues, no paid leaders, no theological creed, no regular meetings, simply a fellowship of people who desire to follow a way of life
Not a denomination but a determination
The Four Absolutes
Guidelnes to determine God's will
Absolute honesty
Absolute purity
Absolute unselfshness
Absolute love
4 Absolutes first appeared in book by Robert Elliot Speer entitled, "The Principles of Jesus."
Frank Buchman was influenced by F. B. Meyer who when visiting the college asked Buchman, "Do you let the Holy Spirit guide you in all you are doing?"
Buchman replied that he did indeed pray and read the Bible in the morning.
"But," persisted Meyer, "do you give God enough uninterrupted time really to tell you what to do?"
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