The United Methodist Church’s Book of Discipline

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The United Methodist Church’s Book of Discipline states, “Wesley believed that the living core of the Christian faith was revealed in Scripture, illuminated by tradition, vivified in personal experience, and confirmed by reason”. This statement outlines the concept of the Wesleyan Quadrilateral. Interestingly, John Wesley never actually used the term “quadrilateral” and the American Methodist scholar, Albert C. Outler, who later stated that he regretted doing so as it has been misconstrued, named it.
As for John Wesley, he was an 18th century British Evangelist who is credited for founding the Methodist Christian movement.
The Wesleyan Quadrilateral provides the format for an organized study of Theology. The four properties are Scripture, Reason, Tradition and Experience. I will summarize these four components and then provide a personal reflection on them.
Scripture
The first and foundational aspect of the quadrilateral is Scripture. God’s Holy Word. To Wesley, the Bible was the only book needed and he considered it the first and final authority. He considered Scripture to be primary with the remaining three factors holding complimentary roles. When studying Christian theology, we are to use the other components of the quadrilateral to assess how scripture addresses a specific question. With the Bible as the final test, Scripture is most important and it is how God reveals Himself to us.
Reason
Reason is the first of the complimentary Quadrilateral factors. Wesley’s belief went against that of the “Enlightenment Period” which believed that reason was above scripture. This is confirmed by Wesley’s ideology that scripture is first and through scripture we gain faith and faith comes through hearing the Word of God. He also belie...

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...stence. It is now however something that I will study more by actually using the quadrilateral as a guide for my walk with Christ. By utilizing each element of the quadrilateral, I will be better rounded not only in my life with Christ but also in my practice of it. I will now look at the traditions of the Bible and those of my Church and delve into them more specifically as to how I perceive them and how I can implement them into my active Christian life. I will pray for clarity in my reasoning that I will be able to discern and understand what Christ wants for me and how I am to use my talents. To me and in summary, the Wesleyan Quadrilateral is an amazing God-inspired tool to use.

Works Cited

A Dictionary for United Methodists, Alan K. Waltz, Copyright 1991, Abingdon Press.
The Wesleyan Theological Heritage: Essays of Albert C. Outler, Albert C. Outler.

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