Quaker Theology

Issue #10, Spring 2004

  • The Journeyman – The Making of a Muslim Quaker

    This article recounts Brent Miller-White’s spiritual journey from liberal Protestant Christianity through Quakerism to Islam, highlighting his evolving understanding and appreciation of Jesus and peace across faiths. It explores his experiences in the Middle East, the influence of Sufism, and his integration of Quaker and Muslim practices, emphasizing universal spirituality and coexistence. The narrative also…

  • Editors’ Introduction, #10

    By Chuck Fager & Ann Riggs The theological history of American liberal Quakerism has not been examined in any comprehensive way; it has been terra incognita to those both within and without its fold. But in recent years several researchers, including your Editor, have been at work making forays into this unknown territory and bringing…

  • Lucretia Mott, Liberal Quaker Theologian

    The article argues that Lucretia Mott, despite her own denials, was a pioneering liberal Quaker theologian whose theological ideas and activism helped reshape American Quakerism in the 19th century. Influenced by Unitarian thinkers and Progressive Friends, she challenged traditional Quaker hierarchy and doctrines, advocating for internal reform and a more rational, humanist faith that emphasized…

  • Messiahs of Every Age: A Theological Basis of Nineteenth-Century Social Reform

    This article explores Lucretia Mott’s theology as the foundation for her active participation in nineteenth-century social reform movements. It highlights her belief in the Inner Light as a source of truth, her eschatological vision of the kingdom of God as present and attainable through justice, and her distinctive christology emphasizing Jesus’ humanity and faith rather…

  • Questions for the Movement: Property Damage as a Tactic in Nonviolent Actions

    This article examines the contentious issue of property damage as a tactic within nonviolent movements for social change. It contrasts the Gandhian/Kingian philosophy of strict nonviolence with the Berrigan tradition that views property damage as a strategic tactic, emphasizing the need for careful context, intent, and scale considerations. The author advocates for a nuanced approach…

  • “Towards Tragedy/Reclaiming Hope,”* a Review

    This review critically examines the book “Towards Tragedy/Reclaiming Hope,” which explores the concept of tragedy’s decline in Western culture and its implications for Quakerism. The contributors analyze historical and sociological perspectives on British Quakerism, cultural decline, and hope, while debating whether tragedy remains relevant in contemporary literature and Quaker faith. The review highlights differing views…

  • “The Passion of the Christ,” a Movie Review

    This article critically reviews Mel Gibson’s film *The Passion of the Christ*, arguing that its graphic depiction of Jesus’ suffering is inconsistent with the brief and restrained descriptions in the Gospels. It explores the film’s primary inspiration—visions of Sister Anne Catherine Emmerich—and discusses how this focus on physical torture diverges from the Gospel messages of…

  • About the Contributors, #10

    Priscilla Elaine Eppinger is Assistant Professor of Religion at Graceland University, Lamoni Iowa. Her fields of interest include Ecological Theology, Ministries of the Church, and Christian Feminist Theologies. Her doctoral dissertation was Lucretia Mott: Theology is Reform’s Foundation. Chuck Fager is Editor of Quaker Theology and Director of Quaker House in Fayetteville, North Carolina. His…