Forty years ago, having been brought up in the northern, non-conformist tradition, yet becoming increasingly frustrated by a worship format of hymns, readings and prayers which left little space for silent reflection, my seventeen-year-old daughter asked if I would accompany her to a Quaker Meeting. Neither of us knew what to expect and both of us were desperately worried about sitting in silence for an hour. It was a strange and disconcerting experience but the stillness was compelling and I returned again – and again....
British Friend Geoffrey Durham writes in the introduction to his book: “Quakers who are asked if they believe in God … are likely to be reluctant to give a straight yes or no; and it follows that, in an age hungry for information, their unwillingness to commit themselves will often be seen as evasive. But for many Friends, the question itself is simply fatuous and unhelpful: the point is not whether you believe in God, but whether you encounter the divine. And if so, how?” This insightful and clarifying remark sets the tone for the book, in which Durham attempts not just to present a survey of the varied beliefs and practices of Quakers, but to derive what is important, unifying, and essential – the “Quaker spirit.”
Durham draws heavily from the work of early Friends, but far from developing into a dry history loaded with details, the book instead allows these Friends to speak for themselves. In his preface Durham writes, “What I care about passionately is that people read this great writing,” and he facilitates this through focus on the Quaker tradition of journaling, including excerpts from the journals of George Fox, Mary Penington, John Woolman, and Pierre Ceresole. The chapters between these excerpts include writings on Meetings for Worship and the Quaker testimonies. Each chapter includes helpful but brief notes and explanations from Durham. Durham’s juxtaposition of early and modern Friends truly conveys the “great writing” directly to the reader. What emerges is neither scholarly article nor personal memoir, but feels more like a conversation – an engaging and vibrant discussion between Quakers across the centuries.
Reviews (2)
Read more of this great review at
http://www.thinkingfaith.org/articles/BOOK_20101201_1.htm
Forty years ago, having been brought up in the northern, non-conformist tradition, yet becoming increasingly frustrated by a worship format of hymns, readings and prayers which left little space for silent reflection, my seventeen-year-old daughter asked if I would accompany her to a Quaker Meeting. Neither of us knew what to expect and both of us were desperately worried about sitting in silence for an hour. It was a strange and disconcerting experience but the stillness was compelling and I returned again – and again....
Posted by QuakerBooks | December 2, 2010 11:38 AM
Posted on December 2, 2010 11:38
British Friend Geoffrey Durham writes in the introduction to his book: “Quakers who are asked if they believe in God … are likely to be reluctant to give a straight yes or no; and it follows that, in an age hungry for information, their unwillingness to commit themselves will often be seen as evasive. But for many Friends, the question itself is simply fatuous and unhelpful: the point is not whether you believe in God, but whether you encounter the divine. And if so, how?” This insightful and clarifying remark sets the tone for the book, in which Durham attempts not just to present a survey of the varied beliefs and practices of Quakers, but to derive what is important, unifying, and essential – the “Quaker spirit.”
Durham draws heavily from the work of early Friends, but far from developing into a dry history loaded with details, the book instead allows these Friends to speak for themselves. In his preface Durham writes, “What I care about passionately is that people read this great writing,” and he facilitates this through focus on the Quaker tradition of journaling, including excerpts from the journals of George Fox, Mary Penington, John Woolman, and Pierre Ceresole. The chapters between these excerpts include writings on Meetings for Worship and the Quaker testimonies. Each chapter includes helpful but brief notes and explanations from Durham. Durham’s juxtaposition of early and modern Friends truly conveys the “great writing” directly to the reader. What emerges is neither scholarly article nor personal memoir, but feels more like a conversation – an engaging and vibrant discussion between Quakers across the centuries.
Posted by Christy T. | May 25, 2011 1:08 PM
Posted on May 25, 2011 13:08