The woman at the well engages in theological questioning

I was asked to read John 4:5-42 and prepare a prayer based on the text. So, I was reading with attentiveness. As a result I saw something in this conversation between Jesus and the Samaritan woman I'd never seen before.

As Methodists, we believe that there are 4 commonly employed standards used for formulating and evaluating theology, 4 "tests" of truth- Scripture, Reason, Tradition, and Experience, commonly referred to as the Wesleyan Quadrilateral.

As I read this familiar story, I suddenly realized that the Samaritan woman was employing all 4! In her first response to Christ's request for water she seems quizzical, even perhaps a bit defensive and argumentative, employing reason to try to discover why a Jewish man would ask a Samaritan woman for anything, given the disdain and prejudice with which Jews generally regarded Samaritans. Jesus replies in a way that entices her. Again though, she is using reason, pointing out that he has nothing with which to draw water himself and then she shifts into tradition, pointing out the history of the well and its importance to her people. Jesus responds to her. Intrigued, she references personal experience - thirst and the labor of drawing water- and expresses desire for what he offers. When Jesus directs her to get her husband, she answers honestly and continues in the personal, experiential mode.

When Jesus has shown his knowledge of her circumstances, she deflects and shifts the conversation to tradition again- asking a question that has little to do with drawing water, but rather speaks of worship. Jesus responds. Then finally, she refers to the writings of the Jewish prophets (Scripture) and states what she knows and states her belief that answers will ultimately be had.

In this conversation with the Samaritan woman, we see one of the longest and most interactive exchanges in all of Scripture involving Jesus. I find it interesting that the woman employs every way she can to figure Jesus out, to understand Him and what He is offering.

In the end, she goes to get others to come to hear Jesus. She wants to know if they see what she sees, if her conclusion is right. When they hear her testimony and hear Jesus themselves, they are convinced that her conclusion is correct.

Are we as persistent, as dogged in our pursuit of the truth of Jesus? Are we willing to reveal our doubts? Are we as honest in acknowledging the reality of our circumstances and our dependence on comforting traditions? Are we as knowledgeable of the Word?