Wesley and the Quadrilateral: Renewing the Conversation

by Ted A. Campbell, W. Stephen Gunter, Scott J. Jones

According to The Book of Discipline , Wesley believed that the "living core of the Christian faith" is revealed in Scripture, illumined by tradition, "vivified" by personal experience, and confirmed by reason. The thesis of Wesley and the Quadrilateral is that the Church needs serious conversation about reappropriating the Quadrilateral in a manner that is consistent with historical Methodist identity (beginning with Wesley), a conversation that takes the church's past identity with the utmost seriousness while recognizing present and future cultural trends.

Genres: Theology

Paperback

First published January 1, 1997

Reviews

[Joe · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book to be informative, challenging, and well worth the time and effort it took for me to read it. It was actually compiled by five authors who discussed each of the elements of the Quadrilateral(Scripture, tradition, experience, reason) in a format of discussion and enlightenment. As each author contributed, it was clear that within the conversation(conferencing) the too were enlightened as I was. It is a book intended for members of the United Methodist Church, but I truly believe that after reading this book and coming to understand the meaning of the Quadrilateral, at least as John Wesley understood it, a person of any Christian denomination can find it invaluable when reading the Bible. It will surprise the reader with it's insight. I HIGHLY recommend it for any who are on the pathway of enlightenment.

[Toby · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was looking for a solid introductory text to the concept of the Quadrilateral and while this was written primarily to a Methodist audience (which I am not currently) I still appreciated the authors clear articulation of the principles and the nuance added to each.

Also, I'm really appreciated the Conclusion chapter that operates essentially as a condensed version of the entire book. It makes it easier to pick back up and refresh myself later.

[Steve Irby · Rating 2 out of 5]

I just finished "Wesley and the Quadrilateral." It was ok. I had hoped for less of a book that justified the use of the quadrilateral and more of a book that presented the quadrilateral in a hands on, theological framework kind of way.

[Steve Watson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked up this book, written almost entirely to a Methodist audience, because I was looking for stimulation in how to think about a relationship to the Bible that both appreciates its voice and authority but also acknowledges that with anything we read, we only read it through the lenses of our own experience and culture and thinking. In other words, I'm looking for a vigorous, but a humble, epistemology.

The perspective here helped. Wesley viewed the authority of scripture as primary in central matters of faith and living. But he acknowledged the lenses of tradition, reason, and experience as the means through which we interpret and discuss and apply scripture.

"Wesley's use of the various resources for doctrinal reflection was ultimately dialogical. It was not a matter of simply using whichever resource seemed more helpful, or of playing one resource off against another, but of conferring among them until some consensus was found." (122)

[Wendy Langhans]

Not for beginners, you need some background in philosophy, history and theology. But a good "advanced beginner" text.