Wesley and the Quadrilateral

by Gunter, W. Stephen; Jones, Scott J.; Campbell, Ted A.; Miles, Rebekah L.; Maddox, Randy L.

• ISBN13: 9780687060559
• ISBN10: 0687060559
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1997-08-01
• Publisher: Abingdon Pr

Summary

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.

Table of Contents

Introduction:	9	(8)
Chapter One: The Quadrilateral and the "Middle Way"	17	(22)
W. Stephen Gunter
The English Monarchy and the "Middle Way"	18	(7)
The Theologians and the "Middle Way"	25	(4)
The Anglican-Puritan Dispute over Scripture	29	(1)
Salvation and the Central Authority of Scripture	30	(7)
"Freedom of Reason" and the Church Today	37	(2)
Chapter Two: The Rule of Scripture	39	(24)
Scott J. Jones
Scripture and the "Middle Way"	41	(2)
The Authority of "Scripture Alone"	43	(6)
The Rationale for Scripture's Authority	49	(3)
The Wholeness of Scripture	52	(4)
Wesley's Rules for Interpreting Scripture	56	(2)
Interpreting Scripture Today	58	(5)
Chapter Three: The Interpretive Role of Tradition	63	(14)
Ted A. Campbell
Tradition in Wesley's Era	64	(3)
The Content and Authority of Tradition for Wesley	67	(4)
Wesley's Uses of Christian Tradition	71	(3)
Re-valuing Our Tradition	74	(3)
Chapter Four: The Instrumental Role of Reason	77	(30)
Rebekah L. Miles
Reason as a "Tool"	78	(1)
The Importance of Reason for Wesley	79	(5)
Wesley's Definitions of Reason	84	(9)
The Extent and Limits of Reason	93	(6)
Reason in a "Post-Rational" World	99	(8)
Chapter Five: The Enriching Role of Experience	107	(22)
Randy L. Maddox
Alternative Conceptions of Experience	108	(4)
The Mediated Nature of Human Experience	112	(4)
The Varied Roles Experience in Christian Life	116	(10)
Experience as Dialogical Partner	126	(3)
Conclusion	129	(14)
Abbreviations	143	(2)
Notes	145	(22)
Select Bibliography	167	(6)
Contributors	173