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Dear Beloved People of Arnolia,

Election day is one week away. Which means that these past two months will be filled with political advertising and pundits on television telling you what you should think. As Methodists, we take seriously our call to embody love in the world, even as we faithfully vote and participate in political systems. Our Social Principles say that:

Our involvement in political systems is rooted in the gospel imperative to love our neighbors, to do justice, and to care for the vulnerable. As United Methodists, we acknowledge that love requires responsible political action and engagement aimed at the betterment of society and the promotion of the common good. We acknowledge that such political engagement demands humility and mindfulness of our own complicity in perpetuating injustice. It also necessitates compassion, prayer, and a willingness to discern God’s guidance. (“Preface” of “The Political Community” ¶163 of The Book of Discipline of the United Methodist Church 2020/2024)

And the Wesleyan Quadrilateral serves as a discernment tool for us in this process. “Wesley believed that the living core of the Christian faith was revealed in Scripture, illumined by tradition, vivified in personal experience, and confirmed by reason.” (“Our Theological Task” ¶105 of The Book of Discipline of the United Methodist Church 2020/2024) So I offer these reflection questions for each part of the Quadrilateral.

  • Scripture: What are some ways the Bible addresses this issue?

  • Tradition: What do the Social Principles and the Book of Resolutions offer us as wisdom on this issue? If you know more church history, what other wisdom can you find in the work of the Saints?

  • Experience: How have you experienced this issue, and how has the Holy Spirit met you in those experiences?

  • Reason: What does your logical reasoning say about this issue?

I invite you to think about two to three issues that are important to you and then use the Wesleyan Quadrilateral to discern what God might be calling us to do regarding that issue. And then research your local political candidates' values so that you can compare them to the research you did using the Quadrilateral. And then lastly, prayerfully discuss it with someone to help discern who you feel led to vote for. Let’s begin and end this process by seeking God’s heart for our town, county, state, and nation.

-Rev. Yost (they/he)

P.S. I made a PDF that you can print out to organize your research and reflection, and have attached it to this post.

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