John Wesley’s Approach to Scripture and Tradition

John Wesley was an Anglican Minister in the Church of England and leader of the Methodist movement. His approach to learning and teaching is an excellent example for Christians today, particulalry for those who assert their own private interpretations of Scripture over others. Or for those who place too much emphasis on tradition at the expense of Scripture. This first tendacy is most prominent in some evangelical circles and is based on the false interpretation of what is meant by Sola Scriptura. The second can be found in some circles of Roman Catholicism, Eastern Orthodoxy and even Anglicanism.

Wesley, wanting to be true to the Christian faith and earnestly seeking truth, wanted to know what had been taught in the primitive Church . Scripture is, of course, first and above all other revelation. Yet, the Early Church Fathers or tradition, were/are very important in many ways to aid in understanding the right interpretation of Scripture. With this a humble prayer life, reason and experience were important as well for Christian growth and learning. The “Wesleyan Quadrilateral” as it was later coined by Albert Outler, is used to describe this approach to the Christian faith and life. Since Wesley never really heard of this term, and reading his own words, I believe this was likely an unecessary defintiion with Wesley only holding to Prima Scriptura. Below are quotes from Wesley himself on the importance of Scripture first. Next was prayer, contemplation and then tradition:

“To candid, reasonable men, I am not afraid to lay open what have been the inmost thoughts of my heart. I have thought, I am a creature of a day, passing through life as an arrow through the air. I am a spirit come from God, and returning to God: Just hovering over the great gulf; till, a few moments hence, I am no more seen; I drop into an unchangeable eternity! I want to know one thing, — the way to heaven; how to land safe on that happy shore. God himself has condescended to teach the way: For this very end he came from heaven. He hath written it down in a book. O give me that book! At any price, give me the book of God! I have it: Here is knowledge enough for me. Let me be homo unius libri. Here then I am, far from the busy ways of men. I sit down alone: Only God is here. In his presence I open, I read his book; for this end, to find the way to heaven. Is there a doubt concerning the meaning of what I read? Does anything appear dark or intricate? I lift up my heart to the Father of Lights: — “Lord, is it not thy word, ‘If any man lack wisdom, let him ask of God?’ Thou ‘givest liberally, and upbraidest not.’ Thou hast said; ‘If any be willing to do thy will, he shall know.’ I am willing to do, let me know, thy will.” I then search after and consider parallel passages of Scripture, “comparing spiritual things with spiritual.” I meditate thereon with all the attention and earnestness of which my mind is capable. If any doubt still remains, I consult those who are experienced in the things of God; and then the writings whereby, being dead, they yet speak. And what I thus learn, that I teach.”  – — From the “Preface” to the Standard Sermons.

“The Scriptures are a complete rule of faith and practice; and they are clear in all necessary points. And yet their clearness does not prove that they need not be explained, nor their completeness that they need not be enforced. The esteeming of the writings of the first three centuries, not equally with, but next to, the Scriptures, never carried any man yet into dangerous errors, nor probably every will. But it has brought many out of dangerous errors, and particularly out of the errors of popery. I exceedingly reverence them (Clemens Romanus, Ignatius, Polycarp, Justin Martyr, Irenaeus, Clemens Alexandrinus, Cyprian, Macarius, and Ephraim Syrus,) as well as their writings, and esteem them very highly in love.”  – John Wesley’s letter to Dr. Conyers Middleton. 1749.

Can any who spend several years in those seats of learning (the universities) be excused if they do not add, to that of the languages and sciences, the knowledge of the Fathers? – the most authentic commentators on scriptures, as being both nearest the fountain, and eminently endued with that spirit by whom all scripture was given. It will be easily perceived I speak chiefly of those who wrote before the Council of Nice. But who would not likewise desire some acquaintance with those who followed them. With St Chrysostom, Basil, Jerome, Austin, and, above all, that man of a broken heart, Ephraim Syrus.

Let us each seriously examine himself, Am I acquainted with the Fathers? As least with those venerable men who lived in the earliest ages of the church? Have I read over and over the golden remains of Clemens Romanus, of Ignatius, and Polycarp? and have I given one reading at least to the works of Justin Martyr, Tertullian, Origen, Clemens Alexandrinus, and Cyprian?

How much shall I suffer in my usefulness if I have wasted the opportunity I once had of acquainting myself with the great lights of antiquity, the Anti-Nicene Fathers? – John Wesley