Quaker Theology

Modern Movements

  • Theology & Peace Witness by Chuck Fager

    This post is a detailed letter about the unique theological and practical challenges faced by the Director of Quaker House at Fayetteville-Fort Bragg, a peace witness mission operating within a military culture. It explores the enduring military-industrial complex as a pervasive spiritual and cultural influence, the isolation experienced by peace activists, and the need for…

  • Editor’s Introduction by Chuck Fager

    The post introduces a diverse range of Quaker theological topics, including the unique collaboration with Evangelical Friends, narrative theologies from the Vietnam War era, and the unexplored legacy of Quaker involvement with the Ku Klux Klan, particularly focusing on Daisy Douglas Barr. It also features reflections on Quaker peace witness efforts and the political thought…

  • Divine Protection through Extraordinary Dangers

    This post recounts the remarkable story of Jacob and Elizabeth Goff and their family’s experiences during the Irish Rebellion of 1798, highlighting their steadfast Quaker pacifism and reliance on divine protection. It details the severe trials they endured, including threats, loss, and violence, while maintaining their testimonies of peace and faith. The narrative also describes…

  • Wiliam Rotch of Nantucket A Quaker Hero

    This post recounts the life and legacy of William Rotch, a prominent Quaker businessman from Nantucket who played a significant role in the American whaling industry and Quaker culture. It highlights Rotch’s contributions during and after the Revolutionary War, including his leadership within New England Yearly Meeting and support of Quaker education.

  • “Authenticity of Historic Progressive Quakerism”

    The article explores the authenticity of liberal Progressive Quakerism, emphasizing its inclusive and non-creedal approach grounded in historical Quaker theology, scripture, and evolving faith practices. It highlights key figures and historical developments that shaped this tradition, arguing for the coherence and vitality of liberal Quaker identity despite theological diversity. The piece also discusses contemporary challenges…

  • Friends’ Ecclesiology and The Quaker-Wide Web

    The article explores the evolving nature of Quaker ecclesiology, focusing on the challenges faced by American unprogrammed Friends in structuring their Yearly Meetings and broader communities. It reflects on Biblical models of church organization—such as the chosen people, royal priesthood, and amphictyony—to suggest that contemporary Quakerism is moving toward a more federated, voluntary network resembling…

  • A Biographical Sketch of Chuck Fager

    Chuck Fager was born in Kansas in 1942. The oldest of eleven children, he was raised in a Catholic, military family on Air Force bases, principally in California, Puerto Rico and Wyoming. After nearly enrolling in the U.S. Air Force Academy, he attended Colorado State University, where he won medals in Air Force ROTC. He…

  • Back From The Brink: North Carolina Yearly Meeting Says No To A Split

    The North Carolina Yearly Meeting (NCYM) recently decided against splitting over longstanding tensions between evangelical and liberal meetings, choosing instead to reorganize with subgroups under one umbrella. This decision ends a two-year purge effort and opens the possibility for future peaceful coexistence, although challenges such as declining youth participation and ongoing theological diversity remain. The…

  • The Death of Peg Morton: A View from Eugene Friends Meeting

    The post recounts the last public gathering of Peg Morton at Eugene Friends Meeting, where she announced her decision to willingly end her life by fasting, framing it as both a personal and political act rooted in her long history of activism and Quaker beliefs. It also chronicles her life journey, including her struggles with…

  • Thunder In Carolina, Part Two: North Carolina Yearly Meeting – FUM And “Unity” vs. Uniformity

    This article details the 2014-2015 theological and organizational conflict within North Carolina Yearly Meeting – Friends United Meeting (NCYM-FUM), centered on efforts to enforce doctrinal uniformity and the resulting push for separation by liberal and “dually affiliated” meetings. It recounts the failed attempts to expel these meetings, the formation of new associations by departing congregations,…

  • 00. Can the American Friends Service Committee Get Its Quaker Groove Back?

    This article analyzes the American Friends Service Committee’s (AFSC) current crisis involving organizational decline and disconnection from its Quaker roots, especially in terms of donor base and identity. The author argues that AFSC’s survival depends on re-establishing strong ties with the Religious Society of Friends through renewed historical awareness, re-engagement with Quaker communities, and strategic…

  • Rufus Jones and the Laymen’s Foreign Missions Inquiry: How a Quaker Helped to Shape Modern Ecumenical Christianity

    This detailed essay explores Rufus M. Jones’s influential role in the Laymen’s Foreign Missions Inquiry of 1932, which marked a shift in Protestant missionary thought. Jones advocated for a humble, service-oriented approach that sought mutual respect and learning between Christianity and non-Christian religions, challenging traditional missionary zeal. The report, though praised for its progressive views,…

  • PRELUDE: Two Documents From Discussion held at FGC in Richmond, Indiana, July, 1979

    This article summarizes the concerns raised by over 150 Friends in 1979 during open meetings at the Friends General Conference regarding the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC). The concerns highlight issues with AFSC’s structure, communication, staff composition, commitment to Quaker principles, and program directions. The discussion is framed within a broader reconsideration of the meaning…

  • 01: “Truly Radical, Non-violent, Friendly Approaches”

    This article examines longstanding internal challenges faced by the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC), focusing on criticisms from within liberal Quaker circles regarding its governance, professionalization, diminished explicit religious commitment, and political stances. The piece chronicles tensions from the AFSC’s founding in 1917 through the late 20th century, highlighting key moments of internal dissent and…

  • 02: From Supporter to Friendly Critic: How AFSC Changed Me

    The article reflects on H. Larry Ingle’s evolving perspective on the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC), highlighting his initial support and later criticism of the organization’s shift away from strong Quaker influence. He details the challenges of AFSC’s governance, the move toward professional staff over volunteer Friends, and the dilution of Quaker identity within the…

  • 03: The Cold War’s Effect AFSC, 1947-49

    The article examines the impact of the Cold War on the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) between 1947 and 1949, highlighting its transition from a primarily relief-oriented Quaker institution to a politically engaged organization critiquing American foreign policy. It explores the internal debates over professionalization, political involvement, and the tension between maintaining Quaker identity and…

  • 04: Pickett vs. Chambers: A Case Study of Elite Class Power

    This article examines the conflict between Clarence E. Pickett, leader of the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC), and Whittaker Chambers, a Quaker who broke with communism and accused Alger Hiss of espionage. It reveals how elite Quaker power influenced public perception and internal Quaker relations, highlighting tensions between political and religious integrity within 20th-century American…

  • AFSC and Southern Appalachian Yearly Meeting & Association

    The article discusses the Southern Appalachian Yearly Meeting & Association’s (SAYMA) 2011 request to the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) for data on the number and percentage of active Quaker staff involved in the organization. It highlights the AFSC board’s dismissive response and the ongoing concerns about maintaining the Quaker character of AFSC through active…

  • 07: A Flicker of Hope: A Friendly Letter

    The article discusses a pivotal 1981 meeting aimed at bridging growing divisions within American Quakerism, particularly concerning the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC). It highlights internal critiques around the AFSC’s diminishing Quaker identity, governance issues, and lack of responsiveness, proposing significant reforms to restore Quaker representation and unity.

  • 08: Another False Dawn: AFSC, 1991-1992

    The article reviews the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) during its 1991-1992 period, focusing on its challenges related to leadership, finances, and strained relationships with Quaker constituencies, especially “Disaffected Friends.” It highlights tensions between AFSC’s institutional culture and traditional Quaker identity, emphasizing hopes for reform with new leadership but expressing skepticism about meaningful change.

  • 09: Introduction to Quaker Service at the Crossroads – 1988

    This article presents a detailed critique and multifaceted discussion regarding the evolution and current state of the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) as analyzed in Guenter Lewy’s 1988 book. It explores internal Quaker debates over the AFSC’s faithfulness to its Quaker roots, pacifist principles, and social mission alongside proposals for reform or disassociation.

  • 10: Gilbert White & AFSC: A Letter to the Editor, Friends Journal, 2006

    This letter to the editor addresses concerns raised by Gilbert White regarding the governance and direction of the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) in the late 1960s. The authors emphasize the importance of openly discussing these longstanding issues about AFSC’s board-staff balance and its connection to the Religious Society of Friends, calling for a renewed…

  • 11: Can the AFSC Get Its Quaker Groove Back?

    The article examines the American Friends Service Committee’s (AFSC) decline due to its disconnection from the Religious Society of Friends and loss of a distinct Quaker identity. It argues that AFSC’s future depends on reestablishing ties with its Quaker roots, engaging younger generations through historical activism campaigns, and repositioning itself within the Quaker community to…

  • An Increasingly Familiar Story: Northwest Yearly Meeting Expulsions & Sequelae

    This article examines the 2017 expulsions of LGBT-affirming meetings from Northwest Yearly Meeting (NWYM), the formation of a new body called Sierra-Cascades Yearly Meeting of Friends, and the ongoing challenges faced by these groups in creating inclusive and viable Quaker communities amidst institutional decline. It highlights tensions over governance, the legacy of pastoral structures, and…

  • Lucretia Mott & The Perils of Dissent – Excerpts from James & Lucretia Mott, Life & Letters.

    This post recounts the challenges faced by Lucretia Mott and her husband James within the Quaker community due to their abolitionist and reformist stances, highlighting their experiences of exclusion, intolerance, and opposition at Quaker meetings in Ohio and Indiana. It emphasizes Mott’s unwavering commitment to justice and moral principle despite social ostracism and personal suffering.

  • Joseph Southall & The Ghosts of the Slain:

    The post highlights Joseph Southall, a British Quaker artist and pacifist who used his art to protest World War One and militarism. It focuses on his 1917 allegorical pamphlet “The Ghosts of the Slain,” which condemned politicians, munitions makers, and churches supporting war, emphasizing the Quaker commitment to peace and draft resistance.

  • Milton Mayer, Quaker Hedgehog

    A Review and Profile, by H. Larry Ingle Reprinted from Quaker Theology #8, 2003 Oxford-educated political scientist Isaiah Berlin, in his minor classic “The Hedgehog and the Fox” (1953), divided people into two groups, those who understood one big thing like the hedgehog and those, like the fox, who knew many things. The subject of…

  • Everyday/Extraordinary Resistance: Two True Stories from the Vietnam Years

    The post details two true stories of Quaker resistance during the Vietnam War era. Marion Anderson recounts her bold act of delivering anti-war literature directly to the Joint Chiefs of Staff, while Ken Maher describes his involvement in a clandestine network helping draft evaders escape to Canada, known as the Vietnam Era Underground Railroad.

  • Jim Corbett, Sanctuary Prophet of Post-Desert Quakerism

    This article profiles Jim Corbett, a Quaker activist and founder of the 1980s Sanctuary movement, which aided Latin American refugees fleeing U.S.-supported wars. It highlights Corbett’s unique spiritual journey as a Quaker “unbeliever,” his discovery of the prophetic faith, and his vision of the Church as a diverse, ecumenical people dedicated to justice and peace.

  • Remembering Tom Fox Introduction to: Tom Fox Was My Friend. Yours, Too.

    The post recounts the life and tragic death of Tom Fox, a Quaker and Christian Peacemaker Team member kidnapped and killed in Iraq in 2006. It highlights Tom’s dedication to peace activism, his faith-driven decision to pursue nonviolent witness in conflict zones, and the efforts to raise awareness and advocate for his release. The article…

  • Passages by Tom Fox & James Loney

    This post shares reflections from James Loney and Tom Fox on captivity, pacifism, and peacebuilding in violent contexts like Iraq. It explores the paradox of relying on military forces for protection while maintaining Christian pacifist convictions and emphasizes standing firm in peace despite fear and aggression. The post also highlights the spiritual practice of seeking…

  • Resisting Oppression: Friends and the Stuart Restoration, 1660-1689

    The article explores the response of Quakers to the Stuart Restoration (1660-1689), detailing their persecution, internal organization, and evolving political engagement. It highlights key figures like George Fox, Margaret Fell, and William Penn, and traces Quakers’ efforts toward religious toleration culminating in the 1689 Act of Toleration.

  • The Quaker Peace Testimony as Questing Beast

    The article explores the multifaceted nature of the Quaker Peace Testimony, likening it to the mythical Questing Beast—a complex and elusive entity that embodies various perspectives on pacifism, nonviolence, and peacemaking. It examines historical foundations, personal and corporate interpretations, definitions of violence, and the challenges Friends face in living out this testimony authentically today.

  • The Influence of Psychoanalysis and Popular Psychology on Quaker Thought & Practice: An Exploratory Survey

    This article explores the significant influence of psychoanalytic and popular psychology (PNAP) on liberal, unprogrammed Quaker thought and practice over the past century. It discusses how themes such as individual focus, unconscious motivations, transformation through techniques, and shifting cultural workshops and publications have shaped contemporary Quaker spirituality and community life. The author highlights both the…

  • Narrative Theology: The Land

    This deeply personal narrative explores the author’s spiritual journey intertwined with a profound connection to the land, rivers, and nature. It reflects on his evolving faith from evangelical Christianity through disillusionment with organized religion, Quakerism, and ultimately Buddhism, emphasizing the spiritual significance of the earth and environmental stewardship. The article also critiques religious dogma, institutional…

  • Tom Fox: In Memoriam: Introduction

    This article is an in-depth memorial tribute to Tom Fox, a Quaker and Christian Peacemaker Teams member who was kidnapped and murdered in Iraq in 2005. It recounts his path from military musician to peace activist, the efforts to secure his release, and the broader significance of his commitment to peace in violent contexts.

  • A Godly Play Story About Tom Fox

    Today I want to tell you about a Quaker man named Tom Fox who believed in walking cheerfully over the earth answering to that of God in everyone. Tom was a dad. He had 2 children, a girl and a boy. Tom loved his children and loved being a dad. He loved to cook and…

  • Feeling Light Within: Peg Morton Remembered For The Way She Lived and Died

    Peg Morton, a dedicated Quaker activist known for her political engagement and spiritual life, chose to end her life through fasting as a conscious and spiritual decision. Her life was marked by a commitment to peace, justice, and solidarity with oppressed peoples, and she remained hopeful about a growing global spirit of nonviolent change until…

  • North Carolina & Northwest Yearly Meeting Updates: Ambushed, Sandbagged, and Kicked Down The Road

    The post details deep divisions within North Carolina Yearly Meeting (NCYM) and Northwest Yearly Meeting (NWYM) regarding issues of LGBT inclusion, doctrinal authority, and disciplinary processes. It describes attempts to reimpose orthodox control, resulting in schisms, the departure of meetings, and struggles over the enforcement of Faith & Practice. The narrative also speculates on the…

  • Mary Dyer Musings – A Measure of Light , A Novel by Beth Powning, and Mary’s Joy, a Play by Jeanmarie Simpson

    Jeanmarie Simpson Following a 2005 performance of my play, A Single Woman, about the life of first US Congresswoman and lifelong pacifist, Jeannette Rankin, I was approached by a Quaker woman. She was moved by my work and felt compelled to tell me about Mary Dyer, whom she described as a Quaker martyr. She thought I…

  • “Holy Nation: The Transatlantic Quaker Ministry in an Age of Revolution”* Reviewed

    The review critiques Sarah Crabtree’s book *Holy Nation*, which explores the “Zion tradition” in early Quakerism, highlighting a sense of chosenness and a unique identity akin to biblical Israel that shaped their activism and communal life. While the book’s thesis offers valuable insights into Quaker history and social reform, the reviewer points out numerous factual…

  • “A Sustainable Life: Quaker Faith and Practice in the Renewal of Creation”* A Review

    This article reviews Doug Gwyn’s book “A Sustainable Life,” which explores how Quaker faith and practice underpin sustainable living, focusing more on spiritual and community dimensions than environmental activism or technology. It highlights the book’s nuanced approach to balancing tensions within Quaker principles and emphasizes the importance of patience, integrity, and the interplay between equality…

  • Thunder In Carolina: North Carolina Yearly Meeting – FUM

    The article explores the internal conflict within North Carolina Yearly Meeting-FUM (NCYM-FUM), focusing on a potential schism driven by disputes over mission, morality, marriage, and money. It details the conservative evangelical push led by Poplar Ridge Meeting to enforce doctrinal unity and exclude liberal/quasi-universalist meetings, contrasted with the resistance from targeted meetings such as New…

  • Links to NCYM-FUM letters online

    This article provides direct links to various letters related to the NCYM-FUM, including protesting letters from different Quaker meetings and responses to those protests. It serves as an online resource for accessing these historical and contemporary communications.

  • “From Personality & Place”* An Excerpt

    The article explores the intertwined themes of personalism and place in Quaker history, particularly at Pendle Hill, emphasizing community, spirituality, and social justice. It highlights significant figures like Teresina Rowell and Wilmer and Mildred Young, who embodied Quaker ideals through intentional community living, racial justice, and nonviolence amid capitalist challenges. The piece also situates Pendle…

  • “A Convergent Model of Renewal: Remixing the Quaker Tradition in a Participatory Culture”*

    The post reviews C. Wess Daniels’ book proposing a “convergent” renewal of Quakerism through blending diverse branches in a participatory cultural context, especially among younger Friends. It critically assesses the book’s argument, the historical pattern of attempted renewals, and the example of Freedom Friends Church, while reflecting on challenges such as declining membership and doctrinal…

  • Forgiveness over Khmer Rouge: a journey or an obligation? A Beginning of Dialogue

    This article presents an interview with Claire Ly, a survivor of the Khmer Rouge regime, who reflects on the complex and deeply personal nature of forgiveness in the context of mass atrocities. It explores the intersections of Buddhist and Christian perspectives on forgiveness, the spiritual struggle of victims, and the challenges of justice and reconciliation…

  • Response: Forgiveness and Letting-Go: An Inter-Religious and Internal Dialogue Sallie B. King

    This article explores forgiveness and letting-go through the lens of Buddhism, Christianity, and Judaism, especially in the context of mass trauma such as the Cambodian Holocaust. It highlights differing religious responses, including Buddhist “letting go,” Christian forgiveness, and the Jewish principle of “never forget,” while also discussing trauma healing practices informed by modern psychology and…

  • “From Peace to Freedom: Quaker Rhetoric and the Birth of American Antislavery, 1657-1761″*

    This article reviews Brycchan Carey’s work on the early Quaker opposition to slavery in America, highlighting the significance of George Fox’s 1657 epistle as a foundational anti-slavery statement. It explores the complexity of Quaker abolitionism, including prominent figures like Anthony Benezet and John Woolman, and considers the ongoing challenges in public recognition of Quaker contributions…

  • “Paper Trail: Writings from the Front Line of Peace Action, Quaker House/Fort Bragg, 2001-2012″* A Review

    This review of Chuck Fager’s book *Paper Trail* highlights its comprehensive and heartfelt account of peace activism during a highly militarized era. The book discusses peace efforts connected to military families, torture, and the Iraq war, emphasizing the human and moral costs of conflict while celebrating personal and community commitment to peace.

  • “Remaking Friends: How Progressive Friends Changed Quakerism & Helped Save America, 1822-1940″* A Review

    This review of Chuck Fager’s *Remaking Friends* examines the historical role of the Progressive Friends, a radical nineteenth-century Quaker group influential in shaping modern liberal Quakerism. The book highlights their activism in abolition, women’s rights, and liberal theology, while also noting tensions with mainstream Hicksite Quakers and connections to Unitarian and broader reform movements. Despite…

  • “Angels of Progress: A Documentary History of the Progressive Friends: Radical Quakers in a Turbulent America”* Reviewed

    This review examines “Angels of Progress,” a documentary history of the Progressive Friends, a radical Quaker movement that emerged in the 19th century advocating social reform and a reduction of traditional church structures. The book highlights their struggles with conservative Quaker factions over abolitionism, peace testimony, and theological liberalism, while situating their influence within broader…

  • An Excerpt from Remaking Friends: How Progressive Friends Changed Quakerism & Helped Save America, 1822-1940

    This post explores the relationship between Progressive Friends, spiritualism, and social reform in the 19th century, highlighting figures like Isaac Post and Elizabeth Buffum Chace. It discusses how spiritualism provided comfort to the bereaved and aligned with the Progressive Friends’ commitment to science and social progress, despite some opposition and declining popularity after the Civil…

  • Blessed Unrest: The Radical Act of Gathering

    This article draws historical and legal parallels between early Quaker persecution for unlawful assemblies in 17th-century England and the modern Moral Monday protests in North Carolina. It details William Penn’s landmark trial defending the right to assemble and connects it to the experiences of contemporary Quaker activists, highlighting the ongoing struggle for civil liberties, community…

  • Separation Accomplished: New Beginnings for a New Association of Friends and a “Reconfigured” Indiana Yearly Meeting

    This detailed article examines the 2013 separation and “reconfiguration” of Indiana Yearly Meeting (IYM), which resulted in the establishment of the New Association of Friends and a smaller, reconfigured IYM. The division was largely driven by disagreements over Biblical authority, homosexuality, and yearly meeting authority, with both groups expressing relief and a hope for future…

  • “The Oxford Handbook of Quaker Studies”*

    The post is a detailed review of “The Oxford Handbook of Quaker Studies,” critiquing its high cost, Euro-American focus, and mixed scholarly content while highlighting valuable chapters and suggesting ways to improve accessibility through open access publishing. It addresses the complexities and contradictions within Quaker history, theology, and practice presented in the book, alongside underrepresented…

  • Northwest Yearly Meeting and “Shattering” Conflict: Chapter One

    This article details the escalating conflict within Northwest Yearly Meeting of Evangelical Friends over LGBTQ inclusion, focusing on the schism triggered by West Hills Friends Church’s public welcoming stance. It outlines the historical and theological background, the struggle for LGBTQ recognition at George Fox University, and the eventual ultimatum faced by West Hills Friends threatening…

  • Progressive Friends: The Top Ten Reasons Why They’re The Most Interesting Quakers We Never Heard Of

    This article highlights the 19th-century Progressive Friends, an overlooked Quaker movement that revolutionized Quaker ecclesiology, championed democracy, and influenced modern liberal Quakerism. It emphasizes their roles in social reform, feminist activism, spiritualism, and interfaith cooperation, while also acknowledging their challenges and historical neglect.

  • The Battle for Battle Creek: Sectarian Competition in the Yankee West

    This article explores the history of liberal sectarianism in Battle Creek, Michigan, particularly focusing on the Hicksite Quakers and Progressive Friends in the 19th century. It highlights their influence on the city’s religious landscape, social reform movements, and the development of Seventh-Day Adventism and Battle Creek’s health and cereal industries. The article also discusses the…

  • “Quaker Brotherhood: Interracial Activism and the American Friends Service Committee, 1917-1950″*

    This article reviews Allan W. Austin’s book on the American Friends Service Committee’s interracial activism from 1917 to 1950, highlighting both the Committee’s efforts and struggles with race relations during that period. It discusses the historical context, challenges in funding and administration, and the broader implications for Quaker engagement and declining influence in social justice…

  • “An Excerpt from Howard and Anna Brinton: Re-inventors of Quakerism In the Twentieth Century, An Interpretive Biography”*

    By Anthony Manousos Growing Up in “Brinton Country” To tell the story of the Brintons or of the Beans and the Coxes, Anna’s family, is to tell the story of Quakerism as it developed in America. Anna and Howard both took pride in the fact that they could trace their ancestry to the early days…

  • “Deep Green Resistance: Strategy to Save the Planet”*

    This article is a detailed review of the book *Deep Green Resistance: Strategy to Save the Planet*, which advocates for radical ecological sabotage to dismantle industrial civilization. The reviewer critically examines the book’s militant strategy, ethical dilemmas, and the potential for genocide embedded in its plan, while contrasting it with Quaker peace testimony and historical…

  • Christianity and War, and Other Essays Against the Warfare State.

    This post reviews Laurence M. Vance’s book *Christianity and War, and Other Essays Against the Warfare State*, which critiques the deep entanglement of American evangelical Christianity with militarism. Vance argues from an orthodox, fundamentalist perspective against the theological justifications for U.S. wars, exposing “American War Christianity” as a dangerous and idolatrous mindset that conflates national…

  • The Darkness of Mother Teresa, Two Reviews*

    This article critically examines the spiritual life and legacy of Mother Teresa through the lens of two books: the devotional “Come Be My Light” edited by Brian Kolodiejchuk, and Christopher Hitchens’ critical biography “The Missionary Position.” It explores Mother Teresa’s prolonged spiritual doubts, her embrace of suffering as redemptive, and critiques her approach to poverty…

  • Two Current Conflicts in Midwestern Friends Meetings

    This article explores two significant ongoing conflicts within Midwestern Friends Meetings, focusing on West Richmond Friends Meeting in Indiana and Western Yearly Meeting. It details the theological, ecclesiological, and social tensions surrounding issues of LGBTQ inclusion, doctrinal purity, and the challenges of balancing congregational autonomy with yearly meeting authority, highlighting impacts on community unity and…

  • Postscript: Allen Jay on the Spirit of Separation

    The article highlights Allen Jay’s role as a peacemaker among divided Quaker groups in the nineteenth century. Jay emphasized the futility of separation over doctrinal differences and advocated for unity and mutual respect among Friends. His reflections provide insight into the negative impact of divisions on the Quaker community and the importance of love and…

  • “A History of Southland College: The Society of Friends and Black Education in Arkansas,”* A Review

    This review discusses Thomas C. Kennedy’s detailed historical account of Southland College, a Quaker institution dedicated to African-American education in Arkansas from 1864 to 1925. It explores the challenges of racial violence, financial struggles, evangelical Quaker efforts, and the eventual decline of the school amid shifts in Quaker racial attitudes and leadership conflicts. Kennedy’s work…

  • “Climate Wars” & “The Green Zone”* Reviewed

    This article reviews Gwynne Dyer’s book *Climate Wars*, highlighting its military-strategic analysis of climate change and the urgent need for a global political deal to replace carbon-based energy usage. It contrasts Dyer’s expert perspective with Barry Sanders’s *The Green Zone*, which inadequately addresses the environmental impact of U.S. militarism despite raising important points about military…

  • Enacting Truth: The Dynamics of Quaker Practice

    Douglas Gwyn analyzes the dynamic structure of Quaker practice in seeking and enacting truth on four levels: individual practice, monthly meetings, yearly meetings, and informal networks of concern. He critiques the decline in answering yearly meeting queries, arguing that this short-circuits Quaker discernment and social witness, and illustrates his points with historical examples and the…

  • An Argument for Comprehensive Religious Education of FGC Young Friends

    This article advocates for a comprehensive and age-appropriate religious education program for Friends General Conference (FGC) Young Friends to deepen their understanding of Quaker theology and history. The author shares personal experiences of gaps in theological knowledge despite extensive Quaker involvement and argues that teaching Quaker faith, practice, and history is essential to prevent future…

  • “Hostage In Iraq” & “118 Days: Christian Peacemaker Teams Held Hostage in Iraq”* Reviewed

    This review critically examines two books about the kidnapping of Christian Peacemaker Teams members in Iraq, focusing on the theological, strategic, and practical issues around martyrdom and peace activism. It highlights the recklessness of some peaceworkers, contrasts preparedness between hostages, and addresses the profound challenges faced by one gay captive and the LGBT community’s need…

  • Update & Preview Philip Gulley, Western Yearly Meeting, And An Excerpt from His Forthcoming Book

    This post discusses the controversy surrounding Philip Gulley, a Quaker pastor whose universalist theology led to attempts to revoke his ministerial credentials within Western Yearly Meeting. Gulley critiques traditional Christian worship’s focus on Jesus’ divinity, arguing instead for seeing Jesus as a model for living whose teachings emphasize compassion and service rather than theological orthodoxy.

  • Narrative Theology: from Psychological Warfare to Peace; My journey to/into Quakerism and nonviolence

    The article chronicles Jeanne-Henriette Louis’s intellectual and spiritual journey from researching American psychological warfare during World War II to embracing nonviolence and joining the Quakers. Through extensive archival research and reflection, she contrasts the ideology of psychological warfare with nonviolent approaches and finds profound alignment with Quaker philosophy and history. The study suggests that historical…

  • “The Dark Side” and “Never Surrender”* Reviewed

    This article reviews two contrasting books about Fort Bragg’s role in post-9/11 U.S. military and intelligence operations. Jane Mayer’s “The Dark Side” exposes the use and spread of torture techniques in U.S. interrogations, while retired General William Boykin’s “Never Surrender” promotes an apocalyptic religious worldview justifying the war on terror. The review highlights the starkly…

  • “Hideous Dream,” “Full Spectrum Disorder: the Military in the New American Century” & “Hold On to Your Humanity: An Open Letter to GI’s in Iraq”* Reviewed

    This article reviews three works by Stan Goff, a former Army Master Sergeant turned socialist, focusing on his military memoir, critique of US foreign policy, and an open letter to soldiers in Iraq. The reviewer, a U.S. Infantry Captain and aspiring Quaker, reflects on Goff’s insights into the moral complexities of war, his socialist critique…

  • An Interview with David Gosling, Winter 2008

    This article is an interview with David Gosling, a U.S. Army Infantry Captain deployed to Iraq, who reflects on his Quaker background and how his military experiences led him to reconsider his views on war and peace. Gosling discusses his spiritual journey reconnecting with Quaker writings and pacifist philosophies amidst the challenges of combat and…

  • Opening the Scriptures, Then and Now

    This article explores the historical and contemporary interpretations of the Bible within the Religious Society of Friends, highlighting tensions between mystical, inward readings and more literal, evangelical approaches. It traces key developments from George Fox’s seventeenth-century Spirit-led understandings through eighteenth- and nineteenth-century debates, including Joseph John Gurney’s evangelical influence, and reflects on current Quaker disputes…

  • “The Trouble with God: Building the Republic of Heaven”* A Review

    The review discusses David Boulton’s exploration of God as a necessary fictional story that societies and individuals cannot do without, even for non-theists. Boulton’s concept of a “Republic of Heaven” highlights God as a symbolic embodiment of human values, with historical roots in radical figures like Gerrard Winstanley. The reviewer contrasts Boulton’s view with the…

  • “Putting the Bible into Perspective: Hicksites and the Theological Treatment of the Bible in Progressive Reform”

    This article explores the Hicksite schism’s impact on Progressive Quaker women’s theological freedom, particularly regarding the interpretation of the Bible. It highlights how figures like Hannah Barnard, Elias Hicks, and Lucretia Mott challenged traditional views of biblical authority, emphasizing the primacy of the “inner light” over scripture, especially in social reform movements like abolition and…

  • Melting Icebergs Don’t Scream: A Response to Keith Helmuth’s: “The Angel of History, the Storm of Progress, And the Order of the Soul”

    The article critically responds to Keith Helmuth’s theological interpretation of environmental crises, which centers on a Western “master narrative” rooted in the biblical conquest of Canaan and the supremacy of personal moral will. While praising Helmuth’s reflections, the author challenges the scope of this master narrative, highlighting omissions such as the role of militarism and…

  • “Godless For God’s Sake: Nontheism In Contemporary Quakerism”* — A Review

    This review praises “Godless For God’s Sake,” a book by Quaker non-theists, for its thoughtful and challenging theological reflections within Quakerism. It highlights the deep history of non-theist and humanist thought among Quakers and calls for acceptance and dialogue rather than rejection of such perspectives within the Society of Friends.

  • Apocalypse – Later*

    The post discusses Licia Kuenning’s failed prophecy that Farmington, Maine would transform into the New Jerusalem on June 6, 2006. Despite the prophecy not occurring as predicted, Kuenning maintains her sense of divine inspiration while acknowledging possible mistakes in the timing of the prophecy. The article explores the nature of revelation, prophecy, and the interpretation…

  • 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…

  • In Search of Religious Radicalism

    The article traces Charley Earp’s personal journey from evangelical Pentecostalism through Christian communalism to a progressive, radical religious philosophy aligned with social activism. It explores the tensions between traditional Christian beliefs and radical social values, ultimately advocating for an integrated, experimental religious radicalism that embraces egalitarianism, inclusivity, and social justice, exemplified in Progressive Quakerism. The…

  • 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…

  • “Just War Against Terror: The Burden of American Power In a Violent World” a Review

    This article is a critical review of Jean Bethke Elshtain’s book *Just War Against Terror*, examining its neo-conservative justification of American military power post-9/11. The reviewer challenges Elshtain’s arguments for U.S. imperialism, critiques her interpretation of just war theory, and highlights the failure to adequately account for civilian casualties in recent conflicts. The review also…

  • A Quaker in a Material World: A Materialist Perspective

    The article explores the compatibility of materialism, which views reality as solely physical and deterministic, with Quaker beliefs and practices. It argues that materialists can live meaningful, ethical lives aligned with Quaker values without traditional theistic beliefs, and advocates for greater inclusion and outreach to materialists within the Religious Society of Friends. The author emphasizes…

  • Quakers and The Lamb’s War: A Hermeneutic for Confronting Evil, Non-Violent Resistance

    This article explores the Quaker peace testimony as an active, nonviolent resistance rooted in spiritual warfare, tracing its historical development from early Quaker times through the twentieth century. It emphasizes the theological and communal foundations of Quaker pacifism, recent hermeneutics that interpret Jesus’ teachings as advocating assertive nonviolence, and practical models like the Alternatives to…

  • Friends for 350 Years Howard H. Brinton. Historical update and notes by Margaret Hope Bacon.

    Reviewed by Chuck Fager There is really no honest way to say this but straight out: Except for its handsome new cover design, this reissue of Howard Brinton’s Friends for 300 Years is an utter embarrassment. For the sake of Pendle Hill’s reputation, and out of respect for Brinton’s decades of service to that institution, it ought…

  • Real Presence and First-Day Pitch-Ins: Why Quakers Are, and Must Be, a Eucharistic People

    The article explores the idea that Quakers are inherently a Eucharistic people through their worship, ethical practice, and open table fellowship, despite traditionally rejecting outward sacraments like the Lord’s Supper. It examines the biblical and historical context of the Eucharist, the notion of Real Presence, and the challenge Quakers face in responding to Jesus’ command…

  • A Great Deep: The Peace Testimony and Historical Realism

    This article critically examines the historical complexities and ambiguities surrounding the Quaker Peace Testimony, particularly through the lens of colonial Rhode Island during King Philip’s War and British Quakerism during the early 20th century. It highlights how Quaker pacifism has evolved amid internal conflicts, societal pressures, and differing interpretations, ultimately emphasizing the need for honest…

  • A review of “Anabaptist Theology in Face of Postmodernity: A Proposal for the Third Millennium”*

    This article reviews J. Denny Weaver’s book on Anabaptist theology in the context of postmodernity, focusing on the development of a peace church theology grounded in Jesus’ life and teachings rather than traditional creeds. The review explores Weaver’s critique of historic Christian creeds and his proposal that believers’ churches, including Mennonites and Quakers, should reconstruct…

  • Friends’ Ecclesiology and The Quaker-Wide Web

    This article explores the evolving ecclesiology among unprogrammed Quakers, advocating a shift from hierarchical, corporate church models toward a decentralized “amphictyony” or league model of autonomous meetings linked voluntarily. It draws on biblical models of the church to support this vision and contrasts old authoritative leadership with a more situational, charismatic form of leadership emerging…

  • An Exchange: Quaker Theology Without God?

    This article presents a dialogue between Edward James and George Amoss on the compatibility of Quaker theology with atheism. James raises critical questions about the coherence of a “Quaker atheist” faith, focusing on historical theistic arguments, the role of God in Jesus’ mission, and the implications for traditional Quaker beliefs. Amoss responds by clarifying that…

  • The Making of a Quaker Atheist

    The article recounts the author’s personal journey from Catholic faith through loss of belief, exploration of Buddhism, and discovery of Quakerism, ultimately embracing a Quaker atheistic spirituality focused on love and communal discernment. It explores how Quaker worship and practice foster a living experience of Christ’s spirit without reliance on supernatural belief. The author also…

  • Lucretia Mott, Liberal Quaker Theologian

    This post argues that Lucretia Mott was a pivotal figure in the creation of liberal American Quaker theology, despite her own denials of engaging in theology. It traces her theological influences, her challenges to traditional Quaker hierarchy and beliefs, and her role in the Progressive Friends movement that reshaped Quaker governance and beliefs in the…