Quaker Theology

Issue #12, Fall 2005

Confronts the misuse of religious belief in relation to environmental destruction, nationalism, prophecy, and war. Its central essay challenges Western ideas of progress and individual moral supremacy, tracing how they have contributed to ecological devastation, social disorder, and spiritual crisis while calling for a transformed relationship with the natural world. Other contributions expose the historical distortions and political agenda of Christian nationalist history, critically assess a modern claim of divinely dictated prophecy, and trace the Quaker influence on the early pacifism of the Assemblies of God. Together, the issue examines how theology can either legitimize domination and illusion or foster humility, historical honesty, ecological responsibility, and peace.

  • Editor’s Introduction #12

    We admit it – we’re proud of this issue. It centers on two of the most substantive and challenging essays we have published in a long time. To lead off, we have heard many mediocre efforts to relate environmental concerns and theology; but Keith Helmuth’s presentation to Southern Appalachian Yearly Meeting & Association in Sixth…

  • “America’s Providential History, Including Biblical Principles of Education, Government, Politics, Economics, and Family Life,”* A Review

    This article is a critical review of the book “America’s Providential History,” which presents a conservative Christian interpretation of American history grounded in biblical providence. The reviewer highlights numerous factual inaccuracies, ideological biases, and poor scholarship within the book, noting its distortion of historical events, misuse of quotes, and one-sided political agenda. The work is…

  • The Angel of History, the Storm of Progress, And the Order of the Soul

    This article explores the concept of the “Angel of History” as a metaphor for the destructive forces of “progress” that have led to ecological degradation, societal regression, and spiritual crisis. It examines the Western metaphysical tradition centered on the supremacy of personal moral will, its historical roots, and its role in justifying domination, violence, and…

  • “Farmington! Farmington!” A Review*

    This review critically examines Licia Kuenning’s prophecy novel “Farmington! Farmington!” which claims Christ dictated the text and foretells a divine transformation of Farmington, Maine in 2006. The reviewer highlights the novel’s universalist theology, its divergence from traditional Quaker beliefs, personal biases of the author, and parallels with historical mediumistic phenomena, concluding skepticism about its prophetic…

  • Historical and Theological Origins of Assemblies of God Pacifism

    This article explores the historical and theological roots of pacifism in the Assemblies of God, highlighting the significant influence of Quaker principles and figures such as Arthur Sidney Booth-Clibborn and Hannah Whitall Smith. It traces the evolution from early absolute pacifism, rooted in a restorationist and radical Christian ethic, to a later shift allowing freedom…

  • About the Contributors

    Paul Alexander is Associate Professor of Bible and Theology at Southwestern Assembly of God University in Waxahachie, Texas, near Dallas. Chuck Fager is Editor of Quaker Theology and Director of Quaker House in Fayetteville-Ft. Bragg NC. Keith Helmuth helped develop and administer the Independent Study Program at Friends World College in the late 1960’s. Subsequently,…