2021/09/05

Quaker Spirituality: Selected Writings by Douglas V. Steere | Goodreads

Quaker Spirituality: Selected Writings by Douglas V. Steere | Goodreads


Quaker Spirituality: Selected Writings

by
Douglas V. Steere (Editor)
3.97 · Rating details · 110 ratings · 20 reviews

...an important ecumenical series. Methodist Recorder
 
Quaker Spirituality: Selected Writings edited and introduced by Douglas V. Steere preface by Elizabeth Gray Vining ..

.as I was thus humbled and disciplined under the cross, my understanding became more strengthened to distinguish the language of the pure Spirit which inwardly moves upon the heart... John Woolman (1720-1772) 

Simplicity in forms of worship, opposition to violence, concern for social injustice, and, above all, a faith in the personal and corporate guidance of the Holy Spirit are characteristics of the spirituality of the people called Quakers. From their beginnings in the seventeenth-century England until today, the Quakers have attempted to radically live out their belief in the presence of God's spirit within their hearts. 

In this book, Douglas V. Steere, the distinguished T. Wistar Brown Professor Emeritus from Haverford College, has assembled a comprehensive collection of Quaker writings.

 Included are selections from the journals of George Fox and John Woolman, Thomas Kelly's Testament of Devotion, and the works of Caroline Stephen and Rufus Jones. + (less)

Paperback, 352 pages
Published January 1st 1983 by Paulist Press
Original Title
Quaker Spirituality: Selected Writings (Classics of Western Spirituality)

Other Editions (3) 2005




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· 110 ratings · 20 reviews




Jul 01, 2014Abigail Bok rated it really liked it

This is an invaluable primary resource, especially for those of us who are of a somewhat less scholarly bent. 
A specialist might want to read the unabridged works of the authors excerpted here, though the excerpts provided are lengthy and supplied plenty of grist for my particular mill. Through the words of leaders of the Quakers, this book offers deep insight into the spirituality and worldview of this religious sect.

It was fascinating to me to read the original writings of early Friends (full disclosure: I read only the George Fox and John Woolman portions of the book)

 and learn the trials they went through and how they interacted with the politics and mores of their respective days. 

I read this book for research, as I am working on a series of stories set in England in the year 1800, and the community I focus on has a good number of Quaker residents. For my purposes, this book was perfect, as it gave me insight into the preoccupations and the vocabulary of the Friends, which I can use in my stories. (less)

...a little dry at times, but Steere has assembled a great collection of Quaker writings. Included are selections from the journals of George Fox and John Woolman, Thomas Kelly's Testament of Devotion, and the works of Caroline Stephen and Rufus Jones. 

Steere provides an insightful introduction to this work, in which he covers the historical development of Quakerism through the charisma and vision of George Fox, and beyond. 

In the process, Steere lays out some of the important themes which arise in the selected writings, such as the difficulties of the discerning process of divine will and human will—of divine guidance. He understands this is so little understood outside of the Society of Friends, and spends some time elucidating it. This is an important theme as it relates to the divine leadings which have culminated in, for example, John Woolman’s organizing efforts as an early abolitionist. (less)

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Sep 17, 2011Lisa Nash rated it really liked it · review of another edition
Good primary sources. I would like to see a little more commentary.
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Jul 10, 2021Glen Grunau rated it really liked it
This selection of writings by some of the Quaker pioneers followed my recent reading of A Testament of Devotion by Thomas R. Kelly.

I was a bit mystified by the excerpts from the infamous journal of George Fox that began this book. The focus of these excerpts were the missionary travels of Fox and his frequent encounters with political and church leaders and the almost constant persecution and frequent imprisonment that Fox endured under their reign. I only caught a glimpse of what it was about the Quaker movement that seemed to rile such aggressive opposition.

A section that really stood out for me was perhaps coincidentally the only one in this book written by a woman - Caroline Stephen. What captured my attention was her testament of how her long search for a meaningful encounter with God was uniquely satisfied on that very first occasion she attended a Quaker gathering.

When lo, on one never-to-be-forgotten Sunday morning, I found myself one of a small company of silent worshipers, who were content to sit down together without words, that each one might feel after and draw near to the divine Presence, unhindered at least, if not helped, by any human utterance.

What is it about this statement that captures my attention so remarkably? The closest I have come to experiencing a corporate silent encounter with the divine presence was during my early intensive retreats in the SoulStream community, together as a large group, silent and waiting to hear the voice. What music this silence was to the ears of my heart! I have not experienced corporate gathering before or anything since that so awakened and enlivened my spirit.

In years leading up to this early encounter with corporate silence, and in years following as I have continued to be exposed to a variety of contemporary worship services, mainly online, I have found that so much of what happens in traditional corporate worship - contemporary music and singing and endless words, with a seeming intentional avoidance of any space for silence - has all been so exhausting for me.

Recently, we have encountered Word of Life Church with their pastor Brian Zahnd. It was refreshing to be exposed to a teacher with an enlightened understanding of the kingdom of God and the theology to match it. Brian has been a true breath of fresh air. We have also enjoyed their worship. Although contemporary, there has been a simplicity in presentation and a more enlightened selection of songs that match the progressive theology of Brian’s teaching.

And yet . . .

I have noticed in recent months a growing fatigue with this online experience. Worship that was once refreshing has become repetitious and overstimulating. Teaching that remains enlightened has become increasingly exhausting with its excessive verbosity.

Does the problem lie with me? Does my Enneagram One demand for perfection doom me to an endless search for a corporate worship experience that I will never discover on this earth?

I was beginning to think so . . . until I was recently confronted with the Quaker option and begin to read and learn that there is a strong Quaker presence on Vancouver Island, including a small gathering in Nanaimo where we are considering moving to during this next year.

Stephen speaks further to the joy of her discovery:

My whole soul was filled with the unutterable peace of the undisturbed opportunity for communion with God, with the sense that at last I had found a place where I might . . . join with others in simply seeking his presence. To sit down in silence could at the very least pledge me to nothing; it might open to me (as it did that morning) the very gate of heaven. And since that day, now more than 17 years ago, Friends’ meetings have indeed been to me the greatest of outward helps to a fuller and fuller entrance into the spirit from which they have sprung; the place of the most soul-subduing, faith-restoring, strengthening, and peaceful communion, in feeding upon the bread of life, that I have ever known.

Stephen continues:

Here we are confronted with the real “peculiarity” of Quakerism - its relation to mysticism. There is no doubt that George Fox himself and the other fathers of the society were of a strongly mystical turn of mind . . . But they were assuredly mystics in what I take to the be the more accurate sense of the word - people, that is, with a vivid consciousness of the inwardness of the light of truth.

I understand that this glowing account of one person’s experience in Quakerism is highly individual. And yet somehow it sparks a flame in me that gives me hope that I have yet to discover a place of worship that might feed my soul to such depths. Could it be awaiting me in a small gathering of unknown, unremarkable, ordinary, humble people who have banded together to follow an ancient mystical tradition? (less)
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Jul 07, 2013Ashley rated it liked it · review of another edition
The book definitely achieved its goal of "finding new readers for these dynamic spiritual voices," as I did find myself taking notes on books and authors to look up to read their full accounts at a later date. The excerpts give you a good enough idea of what might peak your interest, but in some parts the segmentation makes it very difficult to follow the line of events or get a full idea of the author's thought process. With that said, I did find in their writings something of the cry that I believe is being renewed in the church for a return to simple, authentic faith and abiding with the Father and an exodus from the institutional, professional Christendom that is much of the Western church today.

A few of the the authors gave great quotes to summarize Quakerism which I hope might give some of you trying to decide if you should read this book (or any other) from the Quakers an idea on what they're about.

"The perennial justification of Quakerism lies in its energetic assertion that the kingdom of heaven is within us; that we are not made dependent upon any outward organization for our spiritual welfare. Its perennial difficulty lies in its inveterate disposition of human beings to look to each other for spiritual help, in the feebleness of their perception of that divine voice which speaks to each one in a language no other ear can hear, and in the apathy which is content to go through life without the attempt at any true individual communion with God." - Caroline Stephen

"Quakers appeared in history at just such a time as this, when the experience of deep religion had grown thin. Preachers lacked personal relationship with God. The Society of Friends arose to bring back vital apostolic power. The purpose was not to form another sect and to justify it by a peculiar tenet. Friends came to dig down to the wellsprings of spiritual immediacy, holding that religion means that which you know, feel experience within yourself. Our task isn't to nurse the dying embers of a dying sect, but to be missionaries to Christendom; to live in a real Christian fellowship, not within a definite organization." - Thomas Kelly

"The early Quakers were founding no sect; they were reforming Christendom that had slumped into externals and had lost its true sense of the immediate presence and the creative, triumphant power of the living God within us all. They had a message for all, for they had discovered that 'the Lord himself had come to lead His people.'" - Thomas Kelly (less)
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Dec 31, 2016Maughn Gregory rated it it was amazing
Shelves: history-biography, religion-about-for-and-against, wisdom-studies
This collection of Quaker writings was invaluable in my investigation into Quaker belief and practice and my becoming a Friend of the Friends.
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Jun 13, 2012Mark rated it really liked it
How different our country would be today if the Quakers had more influence on the character of our culture than the Puritans!

I especially enjoyed the letters of Isaac Penington and the writings of Caroline Stephen. And the singularity of purpose of John Woolman to end slavery even prior to the American Revolution (and how he tried to not exercise in any commerce or other activity that was beneficial to or benefited by slavery).
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Feb 28, 2013EunSung rated it really liked it
I think this is a really good introduction to Quaker thought and history, but I personally thought it would have been better introduction to go deeper in a few key figures instead of spanning everyone.

However, I am really grateful for the book to introduce me to the thoughts of Thomas R. Kelly and Caroline Emelia Stephen. 
Teastament of Devotion by Thomas R. Kelly and 
Quaker Strongholds by Caroline Emelia Stephen are so deep and rich with spiritual wisdom that arises from experience.
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Jan 04, 2008Nicole rated it really liked it
Shelves: faith
Very good introduction to the Quaker faith. It was nice to learn more about them. The book's introduction is great. The selected writings give a nice overview of their history. I particularly enjoyed Caroline Stephen's writings. I may need to find more about her. (less)
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Apr 22, 2012Luke H rated it liked it · review of another edition
A decent selection of some prominent quaker writers, though it seemed much too short. if some of the selections were expanded the meaning and depth would have come through better--I know this is true of the couple authors I had read the full works, and so only assume the same of the others.
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Sep 18, 2015Amos Smith rated it it was amazing
A great overview of Quaker Contemplative and Social Justice Witnesses! Care was taken to the selection of writers in this anthology, which represent the tradition well.
-Amos Smith (author of Healing The Divide: Recovering Christianity's Mystic Roots) ...more
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Oct 01, 2014Tanya rated it liked it · review of another edition
Shelves: read-in-2015, non-fiction
A mix of absolutely beautiful writing about sitting in silence and listening for God and then some not-so-interesting details of the spread of early Quaker communities. Some of the history was interesting - I didn't realize how horribly they were persecuted by the British government. (less)
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Oct 22, 2012Taelor rated it it was amazing
What a wonderful read, regardless of faith practiced by the reader. It is a nice insight into the healing practices of Quaker worship, and such a nice view of how their silence brings peace.
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Jun 10, 2013Michael rated it it was amazing
I love this book! I carry it to Quaker Meeting for Worship every week and have often stood and read aloud from it. This book is a GREAT place to start for learning about Quakers.
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Mar 23, 2010Diane rated it really liked it
Contains selections from Quaker diaries and letters, as well as a history of the Quaker movement. I liked the fact that the writings were infused with simplicity and the love of God.
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May 15, 2008adrienne rated it it was amazing
Good introduction to major quaker thought--George Fox, Isaac Penington, John Woolman, Caroline Stephen, Rufus Jones, Thomas Kelly. Strong introduction to the collection as well, by Douglas Steere
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This 2005 book


Top reviews from the United States
Catya Den
1.0 out of 5 stars This 2005 book is MUCH SHORTER than the Paulist Press 1983 book
Reviewed in the United States on April 8, 2010
Verified Purchase
Amazon's presentation makes it seem that this book: "Quaker Spirituality: Selected Writings" (HarperCollins Spiritual Classics 2005) is the same as Quaker Spirituality: Selected Writings (Classics of Western Spirituality)" the original 1983 Paulist Press book. It isn't. It is abridged, to the point, in my opinion, of being much less useful as a brief overview of Quaker thought than the original book.

Amazon even presents the first two reviews - which are of the Paulist Press 1983 book- as if they are reviews of this book from Harper Collins 2005.

Amazon, please don't conflate these two books.

The original 1983 book from Paulist Press is a great, albeit brief overview of Quaker writing. It brings together in one place, authors that can be hard to get a hold of; for example, Caroline Stephen.

Five stars to the original 1983 book

One star to the abridged 2005 edition for being too short to be a decent introduction

Zero stars to Amazon for confusing the two.

~~~
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45 people found this helpful
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"...an important ecumenical series." Methodist Recorder 

Quaker Spirituality: Selected Writings edited and introduced by Douglas V. Steere preface by Elizabeth Gray Vining "…

as I was thus humbled and disciplined under the cross, my understanding became more strengthened to distinguish the language of the pure Spirit which inwardly moves upon the heart…" John Woolman (1720-1772) Simplicity in forms of worship, opposition to violence, concern for social injustice, and, above all, a faith in the personal and corporate guidance of the Holy Spirit are characteristics of the spirituality of the people called Quakers. From their beginnings in the seventeenth-century England until today, the Quakers have attempted to radically live out their belief in the presence of God's spirit within their hearts. In this book, Douglas V. Steere, the distinguished T. Wistar Brown Professor Emeritus from Haverford College, has assembled a comprehensive collection of Quaker writings. Included are selections from the journals of George Fox and John Woolman, Thomas Kelly's Testament of Devotion, and the works of Caroline Stephen and Rufus Jones. †
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Publisher ‏ : ‎ Paulist Press; First Edition (January 1, 1983)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 352 pages

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Top reviews from the United States
Suzanne Beaumont
5.0 out of 5 stars Wisdom and Courage in the Simplicity of the Quaker Path
Reviewed in the United States on November 14, 2016
Verified Purchase
Steered has gathered an inspiring collection of early Quaker thinkers. The writers in this volume share their personal faith journeys, both the successes and failures in attempting to follow Jesus who deeply respected the presence of God in every human being and throughout creation. To live in this mode requires continual reflection on whether one's choices come from personal desires or the Spirit of God. It also requires refraining from harming others and risking standing up for the equality of all even if one is personally endangered by do doing. Their struggles remain our struggles. Their determination to continually strive to live out their peaceful ideals brings strength to today's person of faith.
2 people found this helpful
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Michael P. McGarry
5.0 out of 5 stars Quaker wisdom
Reviewed in the United States on August 11, 2000
Verified Purchase
The Quakers are known for their deeply personal approach to spirituality. The writings of this volume convey just that. This is an absolutely beautiful collection of reflective writings by men and woman who found the Sacred within them. The anthology begins with selections from the "Journal" and the letters of George Fox (1624-1691), the figure around whom the original Quaker movement crystallized. This anthology includes some selections from the laudatory preface to Fox's "Journal", written by none other than William Penn, the founder of Pennsylvania. The anthology then includes the works of other Quakers from the 16th to the 20th centuries. One of the surprising gems of the book are the writings of Thomas Kelly (1893-1941), an American mystic whose life and work are too little appreciated. Kelly's writings radiate with the power of his mystical experience. Overall, this is a profoundly inspirational collection.
62 people found this helpful
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Janice Jett
4.0 out of 5 stars Quarker Spirituality
Reviewed in the United States on April 26, 2011
Verified Purchase
The introduction to Quaker Spirituality written by Douglas V. Steere is a thorough review of the history of the people known as Quakers. It includes reference to specific events and tensions that helped formulate the movement. After the introduction, there are selections from a variety of authors that give one a broad yet clear picture of the writings that remain the basis for Quaker spirituality and guidance for those living it out today. Reflecting on what is offered provides one a glimpse into a multifacted faith.
3 people found this helpful
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Daniel Bumstead
5.0 out of 5 stars This is the best book I have ever read
Reviewed in the United States on November 25, 2014
Verified Purchase
This is the best book I have ever read! I am getting so much depth out of it - sometimes I can only read one page a day and just digest it. Then start over at the beginning again.
One person found this helpful
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