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A Teaching Statement Grounded in Scripture, Torah, and the Messiah Yeshua
 

The Wesleyan Quadrilateral: Four Sources of Authority (Contextual Overview)

The Wesleyan Quadrilateral is a theological framework used in Christian thought to understand and discern God’s truth through four key sources: Scripture, Tradition, Reason, and Experience. John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, articulated this approach as a way to interpret faith and practice in a balanced and thoughtful way.

• Scripture (Primary Authority): Scripture holds the highest place of authority as the inspired Word of God, guiding all doctrine and spiritual life.

• Tradition: Tradition includes the teachings and practices of the historical faith community as a resource for understanding and continuity.

• Reason: Reason refers to God‑given ability to think, analyze, and pursue truth with intellectual integrity.

• Experience: Experience reflects the personal and communal work of God in the life of believers, demonstrating the fruit and reality of faith.

This framework encourages a holistic approach to theology, with Scripture as the ultimate authority and other sources providing context and insight.
 

Why We Are Neither Simply “Jewish” Nor Simply “Christian”

At ATorahPC, we define our identity in a way that flows from Torah, Messiah, and Scripture as understood within a Messianic Jewish worldview. We do not reject Judaism or Christianity as such — but we do distinguish our approach in a way that both honors biblical faith and avoids placing primary authority in interpretations or structures that Scripture does not itself establish.

Scripture as Our Primary Authority

We hold Scripture — both the Tanakh (Old Testament) and the B’rit HaDashah (New Testament) — as the authoritative and inspired revelation of YHWH. Scripture is our final reference point for doctrine and life (2 Timothy 3:16–17). We affirm:

• The ongoing relevance of the Torah as God’s instruction for holy living.

• The unity of God’s covenantal plan as revealed in both Testaments.

• Yeshua (Jesus) as the promised Messiah, fully rooted in the Scriptures of Israel and revealed in the New Covenant.

While we share reverence for Scripture with both Jewish and Christian communities, our interpretation and lived application flow from a Torah‑centered, Messiah‑affirming perspective that seeks to integrate the full witness of biblical revelation.

Reason as a Tool for Discernment

We value reason as a gift from God that helps us study, interpret, and apply the truths of Scripture with clarity and integrity. Reason enables us to:

• Engage Scripture honestly and comprehensively.

• Explore theological and practical questions with intellectual humility.

• Balance tradition and revelation in ways that honor the text itself.

Experience as a Living Witness

We affirm the role of experience — not as a source of doctrine apart from Scripture, but as confirmation of the work of the Ruach HaKodesh (Holy Spirit) in believers’ lives (John 16:13). Genuine spiritual experience:

• Testifies to the transformational reality of life in Messiah.

• Unites personal encounter with God and communal expression of faith.

• Reflects the fruit of God’s presence (Galatians 5:22–23).

Tradition as a Resource, Not a Rule

We respect the traditions of both Judaism and Christianity as historical expressions that can enrich understanding. However, we do not elevate human traditions above the clear teaching of Scripture (Mark 7:8–9). We seek:

• To receive insights from tradition where they align with Scripture.

• To evaluate all teachings with discernment rooted in biblical authority.

• To honor the legacy of those who have gone before without making tradition the ultimate norm.

A Distinctive Path Grounded in Torah and Messiah

We are not Judaism in the traditional rabbinic sense because we affirm Yeshua as the Messiah and interpret the role of Torah in light of the New Covenant. We are not Christianity in the traditional Gentile church sense because we maintain the ongoing relevance of Torah and Jewish identity in God’s covenantal purposes. Instead, we walk a Messianic Jewish path that:

• Honors the covenantal faith of Israel.

• Follows Yeshua the Messiah as the fulfillment of God’s promises.

• Integrates Torah obedience and the New Covenant faith expressed by the apostles.

Our identity is rooted in Torah‑pursuant life in Yeshua, expressing continuity with the faith of the early believers while remaining open to the leading of the Spirit and the guidance of Scripture.
 

Movements and Communities Aligned with This Perspective

Torah‑Pursuant Believers in Yeshua

Many fellowships and communities — sometimes called Messianic Torah‑observant, Followers of The Way, or Scriptural Israelites — embody this blend of Torah obedience and faith in Yeshua. These believers:

• Uphold Scripture as authoritative.

• Observe Sabbath, biblical festivals, and dietary instruction where Scripture indicates.

• Affirm that obedience to God flows from covenant relationship, not legalism.

• Embrace a Spirit‑led expression of Torah and faith in Messiah that transcends traditional labels.

Historical Roots

The earliest believers in Yeshua — often called Nazarenes in early sources — were Torah‑observant Jews who trusted in Yeshua as Messiah. Their faith expression provides a historical precedent for those today seeking to live faithfully within the shape of Scripture rather than human tradition.

Our closest aligned Messianic Jewish groups would be the Union of Messianic Jewish Congregations and the International Alliance of Messianic Congregations & Synagogues (MJAA).
 

Summary

At ATorahPC, we seek to:

• Honor both the Tanakh and B’rit HaDashah.

• Follow Yeshua as the promised Messiah of Israel.

• Live in obedience to God’s Torah as interpreted through the fullness of Scripture.

• Respect tradition while submitting it to biblical authority.

• Embrace a community identity that is both rooted in Israel’s faith and shaped by the New Covenant.

We seek to walk this path with humility, faithfulness to Scripture, and a heart for unity within the body of Messiah.