radarmark
Quaker-in-the-Making
Let me introduce you to “liberal” (really, really conservative) Quakerism aka “The Religious Society of Friends”, “Children of the Light and Friends of the Truth”. In XXVIIth century England there was a Civil War (see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/English_Civil_War_) , in part brought about by the reaction of “radical” (really, really conservative) Protestants (Puritans and Baptists and Presbyterians and Congregationalists who were all mainly influenced by Calvin (see all five at wiki) . Some, called “Seekers” or “Dissenters” at the time (see both on wiki) were influenced by Free Christian and European mystic elements). One such Free Christian or Seeker or Dissenter was George Fox (1624-1691), son of a middle class weaver turned wonderer (see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Fox).
Sometime in 1647 he had the following opening (mystical experience):
“But as I had forsaken the priests, so I left the separate preachers also, and those esteemed the most experienced people; for I saw there was none among them all that could speak to my condition. When all my hopes in them and in all men were gone, so that I had nothing outwardly to help me, nor could I tell what to do, then, oh, then, I heard a voice which said, "There is one, even Christ Jesus, that can speak to thy condition"; and when I heard it, my heart did leap for joy.
Then the Lord let me see why there was none upon the earth that could speak to my condition, namely, that I might give Him all the glory. For all are concluded under sin, and shut up in unbelief, as I had been; that Jesus Christ might have the pre-eminence who enlightens, and gives grace, and faith, and power. Thus when God doth work, who shall hinder it? and this I knew experimentally.
My desire after the Lord grew stronger, and zeal in the pure knowledge of God, and of Christ alone, without the help of any man, book, or writing. For though I read the Scriptures that spoke of Christ and of God, yet I knew Him not, but by revelation, as He who hath the key did open, and as the Father of Life drew me to His Son by His Spirit. Then the Lord gently led me along, and let me see His love, which was endless and eternal, surpassing all the knowledge that men have in the natural state, or can obtain from history or books; and that love let me see myself, as I was without Him.”
With this quotation from the Journal of George Fox, began the Religious Society of Friends. In it are emphasized the three guiding principles (IMHO) of Quakerism: (1) Christ Jesus can speak to us directly, experimentally, by revelation, (2) revelation can come without the help of “any man, book, or writing”, and (3) we can see H!s love, “endless and eternal, surpassing all the knowledge that men have… or can obtain… and that love let me see myself… without H!m.”
During the next two decades the “Generation of Saints” grew up around Fox, including Margaret Fell, George Whitehead, James Naylor, Francis Howgill, Edward Burrough, Isaac Pennington, William Penn, and Robert Barclay (see the wrings of any or all of these remarkable people). Ten years after its founders death the Religious Society of Friends claimed over 1% of the population of the British Isles as members. Why?
Because the Society from the beginning had no dogma, practiced no sacraments, rejected all priests and ministers (rather believing all are priests in the Body of Christ), held to continuing revelation (the Inner Light, the Inward Light of Christ, the Seed, the Holy Spirit, tat of G!d Within).
As Fox said "Christ has come to teach His people Himself;” or as Isaac Pennington said "[i}t is not enough to hear of Christ, or read of Christ, but this is the thing — to feel him my root, my life, my foundation..."
It was also due to a simple, “return to the source”, practical theology based on witnessing or testifying to what these beliefs entail: truth, peace, equality, simplicity, integrity, community, stewardship, and unity (expressed in differing orders and words across the Society).
A Radical “return to the root” Tradition of shared and discerned silent group mysticism woven from the threads of openings of individual members or attenders given in vocal ministry.
Sometime in 1647 he had the following opening (mystical experience):
“But as I had forsaken the priests, so I left the separate preachers also, and those esteemed the most experienced people; for I saw there was none among them all that could speak to my condition. When all my hopes in them and in all men were gone, so that I had nothing outwardly to help me, nor could I tell what to do, then, oh, then, I heard a voice which said, "There is one, even Christ Jesus, that can speak to thy condition"; and when I heard it, my heart did leap for joy.
Then the Lord let me see why there was none upon the earth that could speak to my condition, namely, that I might give Him all the glory. For all are concluded under sin, and shut up in unbelief, as I had been; that Jesus Christ might have the pre-eminence who enlightens, and gives grace, and faith, and power. Thus when God doth work, who shall hinder it? and this I knew experimentally.
My desire after the Lord grew stronger, and zeal in the pure knowledge of God, and of Christ alone, without the help of any man, book, or writing. For though I read the Scriptures that spoke of Christ and of God, yet I knew Him not, but by revelation, as He who hath the key did open, and as the Father of Life drew me to His Son by His Spirit. Then the Lord gently led me along, and let me see His love, which was endless and eternal, surpassing all the knowledge that men have in the natural state, or can obtain from history or books; and that love let me see myself, as I was without Him.”
With this quotation from the Journal of George Fox, began the Religious Society of Friends. In it are emphasized the three guiding principles (IMHO) of Quakerism: (1) Christ Jesus can speak to us directly, experimentally, by revelation, (2) revelation can come without the help of “any man, book, or writing”, and (3) we can see H!s love, “endless and eternal, surpassing all the knowledge that men have… or can obtain… and that love let me see myself… without H!m.”
During the next two decades the “Generation of Saints” grew up around Fox, including Margaret Fell, George Whitehead, James Naylor, Francis Howgill, Edward Burrough, Isaac Pennington, William Penn, and Robert Barclay (see the wrings of any or all of these remarkable people). Ten years after its founders death the Religious Society of Friends claimed over 1% of the population of the British Isles as members. Why?
Because the Society from the beginning had no dogma, practiced no sacraments, rejected all priests and ministers (rather believing all are priests in the Body of Christ), held to continuing revelation (the Inner Light, the Inward Light of Christ, the Seed, the Holy Spirit, tat of G!d Within).
As Fox said "Christ has come to teach His people Himself;” or as Isaac Pennington said "[i}t is not enough to hear of Christ, or read of Christ, but this is the thing — to feel him my root, my life, my foundation..."
It was also due to a simple, “return to the source”, practical theology based on witnessing or testifying to what these beliefs entail: truth, peace, equality, simplicity, integrity, community, stewardship, and unity (expressed in differing orders and words across the Society).
A Radical “return to the root” Tradition of shared and discerned silent group mysticism woven from the threads of openings of individual members or attenders given in vocal ministry.
