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4 Tests for Decision-Making

The Jesus Test, the FAZ Test, the Rotary 4-Way Test and the test by Dr. Carl Lundquist provide various criteria for decision-making.

  1. What would Jesus do?

  2. The FAZ Test (Wall Street Journal Test):

If I knew that tomorrow morning the most skilled reporter of the FAZ would question me about my decision/my action, would I then still proceed in the same way?

  1. The Rotary 4-Way Test

4-Way Test

One of the most widely printed and quoted statements of business ethics in the world is the Rotary 4-Way Test. It was created by Rotarian Herbert J. Taylor in 1932 when he was asked to take charge of a company that was facing bankruptcy. Taylor looked for a way to save the struggling company mired in despression-caused financial difficulties. He drew up a 24-word code of ethics for all employees to follow in their business and professional lives. The 4-Way Test became the guide for sales, production, advertising and all relations with dealers and customers, and the survival of the company is credited to this simple philosophy.

Herb Taylor became president of Rotary International in 1954-55. The 4-Way Test was adopted by Rotary in 1943 and has been translated into more than a hundred languages and published in thousands of ways. Here it is in English:

„Of the things we think, say or do:

  1. Is it the Truth?

  2. Is it Fair to all concerned?

  3. Will it build goodwill and better friendships?

  4. Will it be beneficial to all concerned?“

The 4-Question Test

  1. Is it true? Am I sincere?

  2. Is it fair to all concerned?

  3. Will it foster friendship and goodwill?

  4. Will it serve the well-being of all concerned?

  5. Test of Christlikeness from Dr. Carl Lundquist

More than 20 years ago, Dr. Carl Lundquist, then president of Bethel College and Seminary, taught me his four tests of Christlikeness. I have discovered they are foundational to living a life of Integrity:

TEST OF SECRECY: Submit your thoughts and actions and attitudes to the test of secrecy. Can they by brought out into the open? Can they stand up to public scrutiny?

TEST OF UNIVERSALITY: Are your thoughts and actions and attitudes such that you would like to see everyone doing or thinking the same?

TEST OF PRAYER: Can you genuinely go to God in prayer and ask him to bless your activity or attitude?

TEST OF CHOICE: Would Jesus Christ choose the choice you are making?

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