The Wesleyan Quadrilateral
Who among us is immune to finding the clearest, easiest course of action in massive matters of life?
Maturity speaks, and it interjects to remind us that all too often, titanesque deliberations do not transpire in the simple realms of black and white.
Rather, hefty decisions often reside in the realm of gray, with heavy doses of murkiness, as conflicting principles are at play.
Oh, that these colossal decisions in life were so clear to make, with zero doubt or delay!
And well we know that our arrived-upon decisions dictate a ripple effect upon our families, churches, and friends . . . for decades to come.
Yet our LORD often deems it necessary for us to wade into the dark unknowns of such deliberations that duly shape our destiny.
He tasks us with digging.
“It is the glory of God to conceal a thing, but the honor of kings is to search out the matter.”--Proverbs 25:2
How can one best dig, and search out these matters–especially those of due weight?
No less than vocations, potential spouses, church memberships, political postures, financial dealings, and cities and countries to settle in are at stake.
How can we best align our consequential choices to what our celestial callings may be?
John Wesley has entered the chat.
And he proffers a portent formula to help you search out these matters with the eye of a king.
The 18th century English pastor, theologian, evangelist, and respected founder of Methodism utilized 4 lenses for Christians to consult when attempting to determine a momentous resolution.
They are: Scripture, Reason, Tradition, and Experience.
These theological reflections provide sturdy lenses through which to process your wisest course of action when confronted with a call of judgment.
Since we are Protestants, Wesley and us agree that Scripture is the primary lens; and since we are Protestants, Wesley and us agree that we should not neglect the role of Tradition, as is our institutional habit.
Let us break down what is known as Wesley’s Quadrilateral, and define terms:
Scripture: What does the unassailable Word of God say on the matter?
Scriptural admonitions regarding direct mention, narrative parallel, or principle application for virtually every topic we will face are legion.
“All Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for teaching, reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete and equipped for every good work.”
–2 Timothy 3:16-17
Tradition: What do the men of the Church for two millennia say on the matter?
The Early Church Fathers, the Medieval Scholastics, and the Reformers are not silent on issues that we think our novel to us.
“Remove not the ancient landmark which your forefathers have set.”--Proverbs 22:28
Reason: What does our endowed gift of logical rationale say on the matter?
Don’t overcomplicate things with mental gymnastics. No other creature can make coherent connections with premises, conclusions, argumentation, and evidence.
“God has given us . . . a sound mind.” –2 Timothy 1:7
Experience: What do previous lived examples of similar situations say on the matter?
In your life–and the collective lives of those in your orbit–this likely isn’t the first rodeo you or they have encountered on this type of decision.
“What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun.”--Ecclesiastes 1:9
Might it help to see a relevant outplay of this in real life?
Here is an ardent example of consulting this Quadrilateral framework from this author’s own life, as he judges upon a potential spouse via dating (“Bachelor til the Rapture!” is not my assured calling, although it very well may be for Mr. Gabriel Finochio and Mr. Christopher Palmer).
While not exhaustive, here are general considerations for each I factor into:
Scripture:
- “It’s not good for man to be alone.”--Genesis 2:18
- “Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship has righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion has light with darkness?”
--1 Corinthians 6:14
- “He that finds a wife finds a good finds a good thing, and receives favor from the Lord.”
–Proverbs 18:22
- “Do not give your strength to women.”--Proverbs 31:3a
- “Wives submit to your husbands . . . husbands love your wives.”--Ephesians 5:22,25
- “I wish that you all were as I am [single]. . . but it is better to marry than to burn with passion.”--1 Corinthians 7:6,9
- Proverbs 31 list of attributes for a prudent wife
Tradition:
- Both in the Church and civilizationally, a man pursuing and marrying a woman is both an accepted and encouraged endeavor
- However, in other cultural traditions–even to this day–an arranged marriage is normative (and happiness levels are higher and divorce rates are lower!)
- American tradition holds that the man asks the father for his daughter’s hand in marriage, purchases the engagement ring, gets on one knee, and proposes. There’s a wedding ceremony, then a honeymoon; in other words, financial considerations and savings on my behalf are in due consideration
Reason:
- The desires of a man–sexually, emotionally, mentally, relationally, to start a family, to extend the kingdom, etc.--are best met in most ways by marriage to a woman
- The dating schematic and season is a wise test to determine compatibility for marriage
Experience:
- Does this woman’s personality, beauty, sense of humor, strength, heart for God/Bible/Church/People, chemistry, affability, desire for children, and character best fit myself and my preferences in the past attractions/relationships I’ve held?
- Does the woman return my affection and desire for the things I hold dear?
- What are the types of wives I admire–and their attributes–that are married to the men of God I admire?
- What are my personal weaknesses that I must guard against while dating her, and leading her?
- Ensure I have accountability for my dating relationship with the woman with my family, my pastors, and my friends (and hers as well)
Other examples on issues that the author recently exercised via consulting the Quadrilateral were:
–complementarian vs. egalitarian debate
–selecting a home church
–abortion issue
–right to bear arms/2nd Amendment of the U.S. Constitution
–deciding to possibly move across the country
–leaving public school education to go into church staff ministry
–violence vs. pacifism
–political guidance re: voting (local and national level, especially the Presidential elections in 2016, 2020, and soon-to-be 2024).
In all the aforementioned cases, the Wesleyan Quadrilateral indeed proved itself to be most efficacious.
In sum, factoring these 4 lenses–with deft humility and deference–may welcome the HONOR that is awarded to you as a kingly son or queenly daughter of God.
All the while granting God glory for concealing such courses of life for you to embark upon, so that you and I may appreciate the roads of choice we had to diligently search out.
If —>“In the multitude of counselors, there is safety.”--Proverbs 11:14
Then —> to keep you safe as you arbitrate life’s issues and decisions, your trusted counselors are: Scripture (primacy!), Reason, Tradition, and Experience.
John Wesely–and the kingdom at large–would be most indebted to you if you were mindful of his famous Wesleyan Quadrilateral . . . and applied it to your life.
Josh taught in public education for 10 years from middle school up through college, and served as vice principal at a classical high school. He holds four degrees, and is currently a pastor in Sacramento, California; he is also a professor at Theos Seminary, and is the Editor of Theos Resource.
