I thought I had written about this before, but I can’t find it. For many of you, this is something very familiar. It was new to me when I saw it a few months ago. It’s a method of theological reflection called the Wesleyan Quadrilateral (many credit John Wesley with its development) or the Methodist Quadrilateral.

The four sides of this quadrilateral are:

• Scripture
• Tradition
• Reason
• Experience

One document from the United Methodist Church describes it like this:

“Wesley believed that the living core of the Christian faith was revealed in Scripture, illumined by tradition, vivified in personal experience, and confirmed by reason. Scripture [however] is primary, revealing the Word of God ‘so far as it is necessary for our salvation.'”

(The Book of Discipline)

When I heard this presented, the speaker said that almost everyone will agree that Scripture should be of primary importance. Where we differ is how we value the other “voices” in this system.

Over the next few days, I want to discuss this system, looking at the different aspects, getting a feel for how different groups might value different items, and trying to get a handle on how I value each of these four voices in the theological discussion.

I hope you’ll join me. I’d like to hear your initial thoughts and reactions.