Hallmarks of orthodoxy

Last night whilst teaching a session on Church History we came to a discussion on the 'Wesleyan Quadrilateral' of Scripture, Tradition, Reason, and Experience. The students were asked to pick their primary source of reference and all came up with exactly the same order for all four, with Scripture being the primary source.

The whole group ranked them thus:
1. Scripture
2. Experience
3. Tradition
4. Reason

I was surprised that Tradition and Reason occupied the place they did and more surprised when I was told how tradition merely brings about a non-responsive and 'closed' church. Experience being more important than reason rather surprised me too. I was taught that these four elements exist in a tension whereby Scripture reveals and defines our faith which is seen by our traditions, lived out in our experience and shaped, and supported, by our reason. These are the means by which we define our faith and develop our theology (always asking the question, "What difference does this make?").

I had to explain that I thought that Tradition was more than what we did and also point out that tradition affects our experience and understanding. More than that, tradition is also a theological statement, an outworking of what we believe, and is therefore a most important aspet of Christian being. This is why, when people seek to re-invent or revise theological or ecclesiastic structures they often hit out at it I guess, for it a pillar on which the whole church stands - it is now what 'used to be done' but a reflection of theological understanding, belief and our values and standards. We use the twin pillars of Reason and Experience to assess and refine our tradition and whatever we arrive at must support, and be supported by, Scripture.

Scripture is the main pillar and the others merely have a supporting role. I'd like to add a fifth pillar, that of 'Love' for this is the embodiment of Scripture and should be present in all the pillars.

And, as I rush off, desk (metaphorically) cleared and rushing to get sorted for the work outside these doors, I leave you with a couple of thoughts.

Tradition is what we do today, not hundreds of years ago.

Love and grace are never easy or cheap options.

Pray for the Church that it might be Church and the world that it might be healed. Bless those who stand against you and love those who you would wish not to love - we might just make a difference today by doing this.

Pax