Quaker Theology

06. Politics

  • Chapter 8 — Indiana Yearly Meeting Schism Documents

    This article reflects on the schism within Indiana Yearly Meeting (IYM), focusing on the author’s personal experience and the wider theological and social conflicts that led to the separation. It discusses the tensions around differing theological views, especially regarding LGBTQ inclusion, and the resulting reorganizations and emotions involved for the meetings and individuals affected. The…

  • 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.

  • Friends General Conference, Founding Gathering

    This post presents the foundational philosophy and theology behind the founding of the Friends General Conference, emphasizing the Quaker belief in the Inner Light and the individual’s direct relationship with the Divine. It contrasts early Quaker theology with the Roman Catholic and Protestant Christian traditions, highlighting Quakerism’s focus on personal spiritual experience, individual responsibility, and…

  • Joel & Hannah Bean — Reluctant Rebels

    The post chronicles the lives and influence of Joel and Hannah Bean, who became foundational figures in modern liberal Quakerism by resisting revivalist holiness movements in 19th-century Iowa and preserving traditional Quaker beliefs like the universal Inner Light and unprogrammed worship. Their legacy includes the establishment of the College Park Meeting and the shaping of…

  • Hannah Barnard — a Liberal Quaker Hero

    The post recounts the life and ministry of Hannah Barnard, a bold and assertive female minister in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, who championed liberal Quaker theology and challenged orthodox evangelical authority, particularly on scriptural interpretation and the peace testimony. Despite being disowned for her views, Barnard remained influential as a pioneer of…

  • “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…

  • FGC’s “Uniform Discipline” Rediscovered

    This post explores the rediscovery and significance of the Friends General Conference’s (FGC) 1926 “Uniform Discipline,” a document intended to unify practices among its Yearly Meetings that nonetheless fell into obscurity. It highlights the Discipline’s emphasis on individual spiritual guidance, congregational polity, the elimination of recorded ministers, and a non-creedal theological outlook that marked a…

  • 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…

  • Friends as a “Chosen People”

    The article explores the concept of Quakers as a “chosen people,” tracing its biblical roots and its evolving meaning within Quaker theology and history. It examines the tensions between particularism and universalism in the idea of chosenness, and emphasizes the importance of heritage, story-telling, and wise witness in nurturing Quaker identity and mission.

  • 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…

  • Moment of Truth: Wilmington Yearly Meeting Divides over a Familiar Set of Issues

    The article details the division within Wilmington Yearly Meeting (WYM) over same-gender marriage and biblical interpretation, leading to multiple monthly meetings disaffiliating from the yearly meeting to form independent or new affiliations. It traces the historical controversies, key meetings, and the theological and organizational disputes that culminated in the 2018 separation. The piece also reflects…

  • The Separation Generation

    This post examines a series of recent splits in American Quaker yearly meetings, driven largely by conflicts over LGBT inclusion and theological differences between evangelical and liberal Friends. It details the controversies and expulsions in several yearly meetings including Indiana, Northwest, North Carolina, and Wilmington, highlighting how disagreements over scripture interpretation and affirmation of LGBT…

  • Faith, Power, and Trump

    The article explores the responses of three major 20th-century religious thinkers—Reinhold Niebuhr, Martin Luther King Jr., and Malcolm X—to racism and social justice in America, especially during the Civil Rights Movement and the Age of Trump. It contrasts their theological perspectives on faith, power, sacrifice, and activism, critiquing white evangelical support for Trumpism and urging…

  • 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…

  • “Our Life is Love: The Quaker Spiritual Journey”* A Review

    The review discusses Marcelle Martin’s book *Our Life is Love: The Quaker Spiritual Journey*, which explores ten key elements in Quaker spiritual life, drawing from both historical and contemporary Quaker experiences. The reviewer appreciates the book’s inclusivity and potential to stimulate meaningful discussions but notes its limited treatment of early Friends’ complexities, internal conflicts, and…

  • 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,…

  • The Still Small Voice in the Wilderness: The Treatment of Silence in Two Abolitionist Quaker Narratives—Tracy Chevalier’s The Last Runaway and Linda Spalding’s The Purchase

    This post reviews Tracy Chevalier’s *The Last Runaway* and Linda Spalding’s *The Purchase*, exploring how both novels challenge prevailing myths about Quaker abolitionism by portraying complex Quaker characters grappling with slavery, silence, and spirituality. It examines the theological foundations of Quaker silence and Inner Light, showing how the characters’ struggles reflect human flaws and theological…

  • 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,…

  • Reflecting Theologically from the Gathered Meeting: The Nature and Origin of Quaker Theology

    This article explores the nature and origin of Quaker theology as an experiential, relational, and socially transformative practice rooted in inwardness and communal silence. It emphasizes that Quaker theology differs from systematic theology by focusing on life, spiritual experience, and social justice rather than rigid doctrines, highlighting the gathered meeting as a central context for…

  • 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…

  • Is There Life after Death in Quaker North Carolina?

    This article provides a detailed account of the dissolution of the North Carolina Yearly Meeting of the Friends United Meeting (NCYM-FUM) after 320 years, highlighting the internal conflicts over theology, authority, and inclusivity that led to its demise. It examines the birth of two successor groups—the Friends Church of North Carolina (FCNC) with an evangelical…

  • 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…

  • Wilmington YM: Another Yearly Meeting Schism?

    This article examines the ongoing theological and organizational conflicts within Wilmington Yearly Meeting, particularly focusing on debates over same-gender marriage and the autonomy of monthly meetings to decide sensitive issues. It traces the historical background of Wilmington Yearly Meeting, highlights the controversies surrounding LGBT inclusion and disciplinary actions, and discusses the challenges of maintaining unity…

  • 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 Fearless Benjamin Lay: The Quaker Dwarf Who Became the First Revolutionary Abolitionist

    This article reviews Marcus Rediker’s biography of Benjamin Lay, an early Quaker abolitionist known for his radical and confrontational anti-slavery activism. It explores Lay’s challenges to slaveholding Quakers, his prophetic actions, and the complexities of his theological and intellectual influences within the Quaker tradition. The review highlights Lay’s significance in Quaker history and the ongoing…

  • 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…

  • Whittaker Chambers, Alger Hiss, and Quaker Leadership: A Problem for Friends

    This article explores the complex and largely overlooked Quaker identity of Whittaker Chambers, a key figure in the Alger Hiss espionage case, and the challenges he faced within the Quaker community, particularly from Clarence Pickett. Chambers’s deep Quaker faith influenced his anti-Communist testimony, yet he was marginalized by Quaker leaders due to political and theological…

  • Attachments: NC Yearly Meeting Documents

    The article presents a series of attachments documenting the theological conflicts and resulting organizational challenges within the North Carolina Yearly Meeting (NCYM) of the Religious Society of Friends. It details proposals for separation due to irreconcilable theological differences, letters from quarters and meetings, dissenting opinions against splitting, and the eventual plan for reorganization into two…

  • 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…

  • George Fox University and West Hills Friends:

    This article examines the controversy at George Fox University concerning the housing of a transgender student, Jayce M., and the university’s policies grounded in evangelical Christian beliefs on sexual purity. It highlights the conflict between the university’s adherence to traditional gender and sexual norms and the calls from some Quaker leaders and groups within Northwest…

  • Part II: Northwest Yearly Meeting Elders “Release” (i.e., Expel) West Hills Friends Meeting

    This article details the 2015 expulsion (“release”) of West Hills Friends Meeting (WHF) from the Northwest Yearly Meeting (NWYM) due to WHF’s affirmation and marriage of same-sex couples, which was deemed noncompliant with NWYM’s Faith & Practice. It explores the history of the conflict, differing views within NWYM on human sexuality, the disciplinary process led…

  • 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…

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

    This article explores how the Society of Friends (Quakers) positioned themselves as a “holy nation,” emphasizing a theological identity that transcended geopolitical boundaries and nation-states in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. It highlights their refusal to participate in nationalist demands such as military service and loyalty oaths, their active peace witness, and their establishment of…

  • “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…

  • Letters From Meeting Demanding Disciplinary Action Against Meetings With Which They Differ – And Responses

    The post details a series of letters and responses concerning deep theological and organizational divisions within the North Carolina Yearly Meeting of Friends (NCYM). Central issues include disputes over biblical authority, Christian doctrine, and the enforcement of Faith and Practice, leading some meetings to call for separation to preserve unity and others to defend diversity…

  • 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.

  • Quaker Theology is not Explained by Apocalyptic Expectation and Delay

    This article critiques Douglas Gwyn’s thesis that Quaker theology originates from an imminent apocalyptic expectation, arguing that Gwyn confuses Pentecostal spiritual experience with the actual Christian apocalypse. It challenges Pink Dandelion’s endtime/meantime dynamic for explaining Quaker theological shifts, proposing instead that Quaker history is shaped by enduring tensions between spiritual unity and doctrinal tests rather…

  • A Review, “Personality and Place, the Life & Times of Pendle Hill”

    This review examines Doug Gwyn’s book on the history and theological evolution of Pendle Hill, a key Quaker institution, highlighting its transition from a vibrant educational and prophetic center to a financially struggling retreat focused on personal spirituality and ecology. The review emphasizes Pendle Hill’s shift away from academic rigor and social activism toward inwardness…

  • “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…

  • Varieties of Interpretation of Francis Howgill’s Works: Apocalypse, Light and Convincement in Tension

    This article examines Francis Howgill, an early Quaker leader and preacher, highlighting his intense apocalyptic theological vision and how his works have been variously interpreted and edited through Quaker history. It explores Howgill’s original apocalyptic framework in the context of 17th-century political turmoil, and how later Quaker editors adapted or suppressed this aspect to fit…

  • “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…

  • “Following Jesus: The Heart of Faith and Practice”* A Review

    This review critiques Paul Anderson’s book *Following Jesus: The Heart of Faith and Practice* for its attempt to merge Evangelical Christianity with early Quakerism, ultimately arguing that it reduces spiritual experience to scriptural interpretation rather than immediate guidance by the Spirit. The review highlights Anderson’s reliance on textual authority and traditional criteria for discernment, contrasting…

  • “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…

  • Links to NCYM-FUM letters online

    This article provides direct links to various historical letters from the North Carolina Yearly Meeting of Friends United Meeting (NCYM-FUM). The letters include both protests and responses related to Quaker meetings and issues within the community.

  • “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…

  • The Fall of Man

    Angelina Grimké challenges the traditional Christian doctrine of the “Fall of Man,” arguing that humans are not inherently sinful but are progressing through natural stages of moral and intellectual development. She sees evil and moral friction as necessary for growth and insists that God’s nature as love and benevolence is incompatible with the idea of…

  • “Let the holy seed of life reign” Perfection, Pelagianism, and the early Friends

    This article explores the early Friends’ theological stance on sinless perfection, contrasting it with Pelagianism and Augustinian doctrines. It argues that early Quakers, including George Fox, Robert Barclay, and William Penn, advocated a “third way” that affirms human depravity alongside divine grace and human responsibility, articulated through the concept of two seeds—the fallen human will…

  • 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…

  • “The Early Quakers and the Kingdom of God: Peace, Testimony and Revolution”*

    The post reviews Gerard Guiton’s book on early Quakers, critiquing his theological approach that prioritizes a static interpretation of Quaker beliefs over historical context and action. The reviewer emphasizes the need to consider evolving historical circumstances and actions in understanding Quaker pacifism and theology rather than purely theological assertions detached from historical realities.

  • “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…

  • Indiana Yearly Meeting Update & Documents

    This article details the schism within Indiana Yearly Meeting (IYM) caused by theological and social conflicts, particularly over LGBTQ inclusion, leading to a formal “reconfiguration” process that divided meetings into two groups: one with more conservative, centralized authority, and a newly forming, more progressive New Association of Friends. It includes perspectives from participants, official statements,…

  • “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…

  • “Three Hundred Fifty Years of the Society of Friends in North America: 1661-2011″*

    This post reviews Geoffrey Kaiser’s comprehensive chart depicting 350 years of Quaker history in North America, highlighting the complex schisms primarily between evangelical and liberal Friends. Kaiser, influenced by Robert Barclay’s theology, emphasizes the universality of the Inner Light and explores ongoing theological and social tensions within Quakerism, including acceptance of LGBTQ+ individuals. The chart…

  • The Proposed Split of Indiana Yearly Meeting: What Its Monthly Meetings Say

    The article provides an in-depth report on the proposed split (reconfiguration) of Indiana Yearly Meeting (IYM), detailing the perspectives of various monthly meetings regarding the division into two groups with differing theological and organizational views, especially around issues of Scripture authority and LGBTQ inclusion. It highlights the tensions, theological disputes, financial concerns, procedural critiques, and…

  • Beyond Liberalism: Rufus Jones and Thomas Kelly in the History of Liberal Religion

    The article explores the lives and theology of Rufus Jones and Thomas Kelly, highlighting their unique blend of mysticism and social activism in the context of early 20th-century liberal Quakerism. It examines their theological contributions, personal struggles, and their impact on religious liberalism, emphasizing their radical departures from mainstream liberal thought and their deep devotional…

  • “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…

  • Editor’s Introduction: Divorce in Indiana – Quaker Style

    The article examines the ongoing division within Indiana Yearly Meeting over issues related to LGBTQ+ inclusion, highlighting the conflict between liberal and orthodox factions. It explores historical precedents, scriptural justifications, and the potential outcomes, warning of a likely schism akin to a church “divorce.”

  • 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…