The Wesleyan Quadrilateral

Key worldview question – What is our basis of authority? In the Christian worldview: The Bible as historically interpreted by the church, and the power of God as historically experienced through the church.

What is the Wesleyan quadrilateral? “The Wesleyan Quadrilateral is a distinctive theological method from which theological questions can be addressed.” Don Thorsen, The Wesleyan Quadrilateral

The Elements of the Wesleyan Quadrilateral Scripture Tradition Experience Reason

The Wesleyan Quadrilateral balance helps us avoid four key dangers: 1. focus on Scripture helps avoid relativism 2. focus on tradition helps avoid individualism 3. focus on reason helps avoid anti-intellectualism 4. focus on experience helps avoid legalism

What do we believe about Scripture? APU Statement of Faith: We believe the Bible to be the inspired, the only infallible, authoritative word of God. Three key words: 1. inspiration 2. truthfulness (infallibility) 3. authority

What does “inspired” mean? “God breathed” 2 Tim. 3:16-17: All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It straightens us out and teaches us to do what is right. It is God’s way of preparing us in every way, fully equipped for every good thing God wants us to do.

What does “infallible” mean? “trustworthy” 1. Apostolic authorship or authentication 2. Christ-honoring doctrine 3. Continuous acknowledgment

Why is Scripture authoritative for Christians? Because it is inspired and because it is true. Col. 3:16-17: Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; teach and admonish one another in all wisdom; and with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

What is reason? Critical thinking, logic, discerning truth from error Luke 10:27: You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself. Caution: reason has limits and does not carry the same authority as scripture

What do we mean by Tradition? Cumulative wisdom of the Christian community “The sum total of what the church has passed down over time—the church’s past.” 2 Th. 2:15: So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold fast to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by word of mouth or by our letter.

Why is tradition important? To avoid latest fads/ theological whims It is the pattern of New Testament: God speaks to & through the community We all have blindspots Cautions: Tradition is dynamic—changing Passing on Christian message to a new context requires interplay of continuity & change Tradition is neither inspired nor infallible, it is human tradition

What do we mean by Experience? Our personal experiences of God & world Experience comes through the Holy Spirit Cautions Experience needs to be both individual and communal. Experiences need not be remarkable, but need rigorous theological testing.

Why is experience important? Experience is a means of confirming truth Listening to other experiences is an important way to test our own theological understandings Listening to others helps correct our blindspots

Tradition, Reason, and Experience should not form additional "sources" for theological truth, as the Bible was and is the sole source of truth about God. What they do is to form a matrix for us to interpret the Bible , for making it more comprehensible and helping us apply it to our lives.

Balanced together the four elements of the Wesleyan Quadrilateral bring the individual Christian to a mature and fulfilling understanding of the Christian faith and the required response of worship and service. Our thanks to: Dr. Randall Fall, Azusa Pacific University Practical Theology, Fall 2007 For notes and resources used in compiling this presentation.