Scripture,
however, is not accepted blindly or literally.Wesley did not discount the rational
mind, he respected it. Logic and reason were applied to interpretation of
scripture. For Methodists today, words
spoken and transcribed through multiple languages thousands of years ago are
interpreted in light of what we have learned about of linguistics,
anthropology, history, biology, current scientific knowledge, all brought to
bear to better understand the deep truths of the scripture. 
Direct
experience of God, like Wesley’s Aldersgate experience is important to the
spiritual journey, but in a vacuum, personal experience can be misinterpreted
with terrible results. Evaluating personal experience in light of the
Scripture, our traditions, and conferencing with other members of a faith community
allows us to better receive the messages we receive from God through our
personal experience. 
We
benefit from the wisdom of history by examining Scripture, knowledge and
experience in light of our Methodist tradition. We also examine that tradition to see
when we may have collectively misinterpreted God’s
messages for the church. Methodists gather annually on the regional level and
every four years on the international level to examine our tradition and make
adjustments. Over the years Methodists have reexamined their stance on issues
such as slavery, participation of non-clergy members in ministry, and the
rights of women to be ordained. Current issues continue to be reexamined in
this same tradition, bringing current knowledge, experience, and Scripture to
the examination.
Born
in love, prepared through study, supported by community, the Christian steward
accepts a role as caretaker for all of
God’s creation through actions.
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