Quaker Theology

G. Quaker Identity, Authority & Renewal

Explores how Friends define, organize, transmit, and renew their religious tradition, examining institutional authority, yearly meetings, religious education, generational change, schism, declining membership, and contemporary efforts to preserve or reinvent Quaker identity.

  • 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…

  • 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…

  • “The Creation of Quaker Theory: Insider Perspectives,”* A Review

    The review critically examines “The Creation of Quaker Theory: Insider Perspectives,” highlighting its limitation to academic insiders and the exclusion of many notable Quaker theorists. It contrasts diverse perspectives within the book, from feminist mysticism to evangelical orthodoxy, and notes the surprising lack of focus on the peace testimony despite its centrality to Quakerism. The…

  • 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…

  • “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…

  • 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 Retention of Young People by the Quakers and the Amish

    This article compares the retention of young people and preservation of cultural distinctiveness between Quakers and Amish communities. It explores the sociological, historical, and cultural factors influencing why the Amish have maintained higher retention rates and a strong cultural identity, while Quakers have experienced decline and cultural assimilation. The analysis highlights differences in community boundaries,…

  • 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…

  • “Spirit Rising, Young Quaker Voices”* A Review

    The review of “Spirit Rising, Young Quaker Voices” places the book within the historical context of long-standing youth renewal and ecumenical movements in Quakerism, noting its predominantly liberal origins and limited evangelical participation. While the book includes diverse international voices and addresses previously taboo topics, the reviewer questions its broader impact and urges younger Quakers…

  • Quaker History & Theology: Three Interviews

    This post presents interviews with three scholars exploring various dimensions of Quaker history and theology. Thomas Hamm discusses contemporary American Quakerism’s diversity and challenges; Thomas Kennedy examines theological shifts and institutional changes within British Quakerism from 1860-1920; and Erin Bell investigates editorial changes in early Quaker writings and their implications for understanding Quaker history and…