Wesleyan Quadrilateral
Notes
Transcript
A methodology for theological reflection that takes into account four sources which are:
Scripture
Tradition
Reason
Experience
Also: Methodist Quadrilateral.
The four “sources” on which Wesleyan theology is often constructed and defended: Scripture, reason, tradition and experience.
“Yea, my ground is the bible. Yea, I am a Bible bigot. I follow it in all things, both great and small.” - John Wesley
The Wesleyan Quadrilateral helps us avoid four dangers in theology:
Relativism - Scripture focus
Individualism - Tradition focus
Anti-Intellectualism - Reason focus
Legalism - Experience focus
Scripture - Colossians 3:16-17
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and exhorting one another with all wisdom, singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, all with grace in your hearts to God. And whatever you do in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Reason - Luke 10:27; Isaiah 1:18
Isaiah 1:18 (NET 2nd ed.)
Come, let’s consider your options (reason together),” says the Lord. “Though your sins have stained you like the color red, you can become white like snow; though they are as easy to see as the color scarlet, you can become white like wool.
Luke 10:27 The expert answered, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and love your neighbor as yourself.”
Reason is discerning truth from error by critical thinking and logic.
Reason has its limitations and does not carry the same authority as scripture.
Tradition - 2 Thess 2:15
2 Thessalonians 2:15 (NET 2nd ed.)
Therefore, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold on to the traditions that we taught you, whether by speech or by letter.
Cumulative wisdom of the Christian community.
“The sum total of what the church has passed down over time - the church’s past.”
Experience - 1 Corinthians 2:9-10
But just as it is written, “Things that no eye has seen, or ear heard, or mind imagined, are the things God has prepared for those who love him.” God has revealed these to us by the Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God.
Experience is a means of confirming truth
Listening to other experiences is an important way to test our own theological understandings.
Listen to others help correct our blind spots.