Society of Friends

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Vouthon said:
George Fox, the founder of the Society of Friends (or Quakerism), was a Christian mystic of the highest order and an accomplished contemplative in the tradition of the mystics preceding him both Catholic (ie the Fathers, Bernard of Clairvaux, Eckhart and the Rhineland mystics, Ruysbroeck, the Franciscans etc.) and Protestant (ie Jacob Boehme). He followed in this tradition and yet adapted it and transformed it to fit the situation which he found himself in during the 17th century, bewildered by an array of divided churches which he believed were obsessed with ritualism and ultimately were corrupt. He thus founded his own community after a spiritual experience of Christ after reading the Bible, based upon the “Inner Light” of the Lord.

He was a fascinating man and Quakers are wonderful people who follow a religious tradition which has much in common with our dear Catholic mystics.

The key difference between a Quaker and a Catholic is that Quakers do not believe, as far as I am aware, in the necessity of actual water baptism or any other outward sacraments. Nevertheless, given their obvious Christian virtues, I am willing to believe that many of them will have (from the Catholic perspective) baptism by implicit desire given their love for God above all things and adherence to his will as known to the dictates of their conscience.

The great Quaker mystic John Woolman was an early abolitionist (opponent of slavery). There are Orthodox Quakers and more liberal ones.
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Most Friends do not practice the outward ordinances. There is nothing wrong with practicing them…some Friends of the “evangelical” variety will baptize and participate in the Lord’s Supper if members of their congregation request it. One of the reasons the outward ordinances/sacraments are not practiced is that by engaging in them, one may not be changed by them.

So many undergo water baptism, yet “live like the devil”…others partake in the eucharist believing they “receive” Christ literally…yet while believing they receive him, their lives remain the same. Friends believe the One Baptism that truly changes and cleanses us is inward with the baptism of the Holy Spirit, Christ Himself is our Baptizer, and no one filled and cleansed by His Holy Spirit can…nor will…remain the same.

So to, we believe He is Truly Among us on First Day as we commune with the Risen Christ…Presence in the Midst.

Friend Matt asked if we believe He is present as Catholics and Lutherans believe…while we believe He is truly present among us, since we have no bread or wine to have confected into His body and blood, we cannot say He is present in that way…but as we join together in communion with Him, He is Truly Present among His People. His words are recorded to have been “Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in their midst.”

“Christ is come to teach his people himself” Is He present in bread and wine among us…no because there is no bread or wine present, but He is Truly Present among us none the less, because He said He would be, when we gather in His name.

The “proof” of His Presence is not in bread and wine, but in the People who experience His Presence, experience His Cleansing Baptism, experience His Touch on our lives. He is the Presence in the Midst, There is painting by Doyle Penrose, which embodies the belief of Friends we experience in Meeting…I’d post it here…but I’m not too computer savy.
 
Publisher said:
Most Friends do not practice the outward ordinances. There is nothing wrong with practicing them…some Friends of the “evangelical” variety will baptize and participate in the Lord’s Supper if members of their congregation request it. One of the reasons the outward ordinances/sacraments are not practiced is that by engaging in them, one may not be changed by them.

So many undergo water baptism, yet “live like the devil”…others partake in the eucharist believing they “receive” Christ literally…yet while believing they receive him, their lives remain the same. Friends believe the One Baptism that truly changes and cleanses us is inward with the baptism of the Holy Spirit, Christ Himself is our Baptizer, and no one filled and cleansed by His Holy Spirit can…nor will…remain the same.

So to, we believe He is Truly Among us on First Day as we commune with the Risen Christ…Presence in the Midst.

Friend Matt asked if we believe He is present as Catholics and Lutherans believe…while we believe He is truly present among us, since we have no bread or wine to have confected into His body and blood, we cannot say He is present in that way…but as we join together in communion with Him, He is Truly Present among His People. His words are recorded to have been “Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in their midst.”

“Christ is come to teach his people himself” Is He present in bread and wine among us…no because there is no bread or wine present, but He is Truly Present among us none the less, because He said He would be, when we gather in His name.

The “proof” of His Presence is not in bread and wine, but in the People who experience His Presence, experience His Cleansing Baptism, experience His Touch on our lives. He is the Presence in the Midst, There is painting by Doyle Penrose, which embodies the belief of Friends we experience in Meeting…I’d post it here…but I’m not too computer savy.
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Thank you Publisher. I believe too where two or three are gathered together in His name, there He is in their midst. Friend, peace be with you.
 
CMatt25 said:
Hi Steve and welcome to CAF. I’ve corresponded with my friend Publisher who has always been so kind in answering questions so either one of you can take this one. But since you’re new and in your very first sentence said you would be happy to answer questions about the Society of Friends, I’ll address this one to you.

Do Quakers believe the real, actual, physical presence of God in body and blood is present as Catholics? Or as I believe Lutherans do. And as I believe Episcopalians officially do. Or are you speaking of His real spiritual presence? Or do you mean His body is present since all of you are part of His body? Or something else? Thanks so much. God bless you and peace be with you.
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I am happy to answer. Most Quakers believe that when two or more people come together in silent worship, we directly experience that of God, which dwells inside everyone. This concept is called the Inner Light or sometimes the Light of Christ or Inner Christ (if you take a more Christian view of things). It is a belief that the congregrants themselves bring God with them to Meeting, in a sense, and that through silent worship, if we listen carefully enough, we can take direction from from God himself. There is no specific requirement that a Quaker believe in the Divinity of Christ. Many Quakers, myself included, regard Jesus as a teacher and perhaps God’s most perfect example of how to live one’s life here on Earth. There is generally a huge emphasis on social justice and charity, as a result of such beliefs. It’s true, if you listen carefully enough, God will lead you to do all kinds of nice things for people and for the world.

In Love and Peace,

Steve
 
Souperism, a very clear historical example of just how atrocious we can be to one another in the name of God.
 
Not only do Quakers not proselytize to other religious groups, there are many examples of how the Quakers have helped wayward Catholics to return to the Church. Here is just one published example:

Leadings: A Catholic Journey Through Quakerism by Irene Lape.

This is an excellent book for those Catholics interested in learning about Quakerism.

In Peace,

Steve
 
I have a question about the term “friend.” Many other Christians, Catholics included, make much of our being “brothers and sisters in Christ.” Sadly, we often more emulate a dysfunctional family in that we don’t treat our brothers and sisters very well at all. The bible does refer to our being children of God and thus all brothers and sisters and some sects do openly call each other Brother or Sister so and so if they belong to the same church. So I’m curious about the term “friends” and where that comes from?
 
sojo said:
I have a question about the term “friend.” Many other Christians, Catholics included, make much of our being “brothers and sisters in Christ.” Sadly, we often more emulate a dysfunctional family in that we don’t treat our brothers and sisters very well at all. The bible does refer to our being children of God and thus all brothers and sisters and some sects do openly call each other Brother or Sister so and so if they belong to the same church. So I’m curious about the term “friends” and where that comes from?
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John 15:14
**You are my friends **if you do what I command."

John 15:15
“I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead,** I have called you friends**, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you”

Romans 16:8
"Greet Ampliatus, my dear friend in the Lord".

3 John 1:14
"I hope to see you soon, and we will talk face to face
Peace to you. The friends here send their greetings. Greet the friends there by name".

There are others…but you get the idea…friend.🙂
 
Ah! Thank you, Friend! I rather like the image as my own family is rather… dysfunctional and distant. So for me, there is more resonance of emotional connection to “friend” than “brother.”
 
I knew about my peoples contribution, but the Quakers … dang :cool:

Sarah x 🙂
 
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