Thursday, 10/23/2008 12:43

Perversion of Wesley's Quadrilateral
The Wesleyan Quadrilateral is a great tool for those who struggle with their relationship with God. However, today many in the Church are misusing the "Quad" as a way to support their agendas and claims on the "Truth". While this misuse may or may not be intentional, I believe we need to search Wesley for his thoughts to truly understand how it relates to our Wesleyan tradition.

Using Wesley's own writings for clarity and understanding of his thoughts on Scripture we see that he had a very high regard for it. Wesley viewed the Bible as divinely inspired and without errors. In his sermon "Popery Calmly Considered," Wesley states that; "The scipture being delivered by men divinely inspired, is a rule sufficient of itself: So it needs no further addition." In his Works, Vol 6, page 117, Wesley writes, "If there be any mistakes in the Bible, there may as well be a thousand. If there be one falsehood in that book, it did not come from the God of truth." Wesley viewed the Bible as the ruling authority that governed the use of reason, tradition and experience. Wesley himself said that, "reason and experience become the servants, not master, of the believer's understanding of revelation history."

However, today many leaders in the Church misuse the "Quad" to further their agenda's of inclusiveness, immorality, and social holiness. Yes God's grace and love can overcome a multitude of sins. Yes God's grace is sufficient. (As Scripture States) However, when we relegate our actions, our lives to reason, tradition, or experience and minimize the authority of scripture we cheapen the very grace of God. In other words, we say that it is okay to continue in unholy living because God will forgive us. We minimize the affects of our sins based on our personal bias instead of what God's Word states.

Cheapening God's grace is where the Church finds itself today. One simply need look at the last few years and the attitudes of our leaders towards INCLUSION to see how we have strayed from Scripture. While God's grace is available to all through Prevenient Grace, every person must respond to God's offer. Continuing in the same pattern of living, of managing, of relationships, of eating minimizes God's Grace. Jesus, in His ministry was exclusive. Jesus offered love and grace to every person, but they had to respond to the offer and accept.

The Parable of the Rich Young Ruler illustrates the need for responding and accepting.


Matthew 19:16-26(King James Version)

16And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?

17And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.

18He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness,

19Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

20The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?

21Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.

22But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.

23Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.

24And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.

25When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved?

26But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.

In this passage we come "head to head" with the very nature of Jesus' ministry. God offers, humankind responds, if offer accepted - lives are transformed, if declined - individuals find themselves in bondage to there sin nature. Numbers (Church Membership) has become so important to our Church leaders that they are missing the point of repentance, salvation, and conversion. An agenda of inclusion, negating the relevance of scripture, only weakens the Church. Adopting an "Agenda of Inclusion" conforms us to the world instead of transforming us to be what God intended.

Concluding this article, I raise this question: Whatever happened to holding persons accountable for their actions? Accountablity done in an attitude of Love will take us a long way. Ministry about God's love is available to all persons, however, church membership is not. God's grace and church membership are not mutually inclusive without repentance. Repentance is the avenue for transformation. God's Word points to this fact throughout. Our culture, our ability to reason, our experience should never supersede the Word of God. To do so is a perversion of the "Quad" as Wesley intended.

Tuesday, 07/15/2008 14:02

We are in a spiritual war. It seems to me that the one thing that we are afraid of is using the word, ‘sin!’ Homosexuality is a sin. Fornication is a sin. Adultery is a sin. Sex outside of marriage is a sin. When the church says, "Your sin is alright, even though the Holy Scriptures condemn sin,” the question is not whether it is a sin or not, the question is why we are practicing heresy?" Wrong Biblical Doctrine is still a chargeable offense in the United Methodist Church because it leads to heresy and apostasy! Therefore, if the church ever concludes that sin is alright, have we not become heretical and apostate?

Monday, 07/07/2008 15:05

As one who for two decacdes (1960s-1970s) was labelled the social conscience of the SC Annual conference, I continue to be concerned the The UMC General conference wastes so much time and energy on the single issue of homosexuality.

Tuesday, 06/24/2008 16:34

I am thankful for your voice that reveals truth, compassion and faith. It was like music to my weary ears that hunger to hear our church speak with clarity in support of the Word of God.

With gratitude,
Dorothea Schweitzer