Discernment

My friend Michael called one afternoon and I could hear the anguish in his voice. He asked if I could come over right away.

I stopped what I was doing and headed over.

He was suffering and wanted to talk about discernment. He was struggling with some decisions in his life. I listened and we talked about discernment.

For a Christian, discernment is working toward understanding to help make faithful decisions.

I read some verses from the Bible and we prayed. I left hoping his burden was lifted. I cannot remember what Bible verses I read, but whatever his struggle caused me to recall a passage from the Bible and share it. When it comes to problems, Christians look to the Holy Spirit and the resources God gives us to discern. There may not be an easy answer to our question, but a light will shine in the darkness.

Albert C. Outler was a Methodist theologian who helped us understand how John Wesley – founder of the people called “Methodist” – discerned what to teach and how to practice the Christian faith. When a group of people came to Wesley and asked for spiritual direction, he met with them once a week for prayer and fellowship. Pressing on to share the gospel, he was often met with opposition and one doctrinal controversy after another.

What could he offer to help Christians faced with many decisions?

Dr. Outler wrote that when it came to discerning questions concerning the faith, he witnessed in the writings and life of Wesley’s four components in helping discern Christian faith and practice.

Today, we called them the Wesleyan Quadrilateral. Quadrilateral is Latin for “four sides.”

For Outler, the four sides are Scripture, church tradition, reason and experience.

Wesley was widely read and wrote and edited many books, yet referred to himself as a “Man of one Book.” By this, he meant the Bible was to be read foremost and all other books – as good as they may be – were second. Scripture is the side all other sides must adhere in discernment.

But what if – after searching the scripture – you are still trying to find your answer? Scripture is interpreted differently and this is the cause of many disagreements. This is where church tradition can help us discern. The writings of the Early Church Fathers and Mothers, the Historic Creeds, statements and covenants of the church show the development of our faith, Church tradition can aid us in our discernment. Still struggling after considering Scripture and tradition, reason is another side that assists us. Does everything we have read and learned make sense in light of the faith? Reason helps us understand the truths of the faith and protects us from false teaching.

Last comes personal experience. With Scripture, truths – affirmed by Church tradition and confirmed by reason – all come together in personal experience. It is in human experience we come to understand on our own and in community the blessings of faith in God.

Eric Reece is the faith columnist for The Graham Star. He is pastor of Robbinsville United Methodist Church and can be reached via email, ereece@wnccumc.net.