Posted by
u/SamBC_UK
Quaker (Liberal)4 years ago
What Happened to Quaker Missionary Zeal?quakeropenings.blogspot.co.uk/2017/1...
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u/HoodedHorse·PromotedRTS with deep economics. All resources are physical and must be transported to each point in the supply chain.
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level 1
thepibbs
·4y
Quaker
I'd say you're begging the question on what discipleship entails and why only certain forms involve systematic outreach. Quakers have always argued the Light of Christ illuminates everyone, even if they know little about the Jesus of scripture (as few liberal Friends today do). Classic Quaker "discipleship" (I'd say we'd prefer the friendship metaphor) is discerning and following the Light. The question is why in some periods this involves mission and at others is more quietist.
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level 2
macoafi
·4y
Quaker (Convergent)
Classic Quaker "discipleship" (I'd say we'd prefer the friendship metaphor)
Except when naming books. Then it's Book of Discipline not Book of Friendship ;)
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level 3
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level 4
macoafi
·4y
Quaker (Convergent)
The person you're quoting isn't the one to which you're replying.
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level 5
feliwebwork
·4y
Oh yes. Sorry. I followed the wong thread. I'll see if i can repost it where it belongs.
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level 2
feliwebwork
·4y
Well, in my experience, it is just as I said. If people are really following "Christ within" then what should result is something congruent with the historical Christ of the Scriptures. The same Spirit that guided Jesus and the early Christians to evangelism guides us today. If that is not happening it's because people are following a different spirit, not because God has changed his mind.
The fact that many Quakers have little interest in the Scriptures (and some even cringe at any mention of them) speaks volumes as to where the movement is at spiritually today.
So it is no surprise there is little interest in evangelism. Much like the churches of today, what the Quakers once were is gone, and what remains is something else that carried on the name and some outward traditions, but not the substance which was Christ himself.
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level 2
feliwebwork
·4y
I'd say you're begging the question on what discipleship entails
If we are talking about being disciples of Jesus, then I think the best way to determine what that means is to listen to what Jesus himself said about it, rather than coming up with our own ideas of how we would like it to be.
Classic Quaker "discipleship" (I'd say we'd prefer the friendship metaphor) is discerning and following the Light.
Here is how Jesus defined "the friendship metaphor": You are My friends if you do whatever I command you. (John 15:14)
This statement was not controversial to Early Quakers, whereas many modern day Quakers would be scandalized by it.
