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| 2010 | Angell, Stephen W. | A Quaker in Iran |
| | It is a tremendous pity that so few Americans get an opportunity to travel in Iran. Its mosques and its ancient monuments are incalculable treasures, but the opportunity to visit with Iranian peoples is a treasure even more to be cherished.
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| 2009 | King, Sallie B. | A Quaker's Response to Christian Fundamentalism |
| | Many Friends are unprepared to meet the challenges of Christian fundamentalism. When acquaintances, co-workers or neighbors accost us, insisting upon certain conservative or fundamentalist theological views, many Friends find themselves tongue-tied and do not know what to think or say....
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| 2009 | Gillman, Harvey | What is Spirituality? |
| | Our attempts to establish a vision of peace, justice, equality, respect for the environment, are all aspects of this spiritual vision. Indeed our testimony in the world is the proof of the depths of the vision we have been granted.
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| 2008 | Riemermann, James | Mystery: It's What We Don't Know |
| | In this essay the author reflects on the nature of reality and the origins of the Western monotheistic tradition. He, then considers the conundrum posed by this and raises questions regarding the nature of boundaries of Quaker universalism and where non-theists place fits in relation to it.
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| 2008 | Rickerman, Sally | Trust: My Experience of Quakerism's Greatest Gift |
| | The author, who from her lifetime immersion and experience of Quakerism , being given by nature to “march to a different drummer,” shares her discovery that it is not only a safe place to be but also an immensely enriching one. She reports on finding that “the resulting tensions between individualism, universalism, freedom and community are mediated by trust.
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| 2007 | Gilman, Rhoda R. | The Universality of Unknowing |
| | A snapshot of the life and writings of Luther Askeland, a philosopher, teacher and mystic. Luther Askeland, author of Ways in Mystery: Explorations in Mystical Awareness and Life, has published essays and articles. Rhoda Gilman reflects on the importance of Askeland's thinking in her life.
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| 2007 | Seeger, Daniel A. | Commerce, Community, and the Regulations of Universal Love |
| | John Woolman’s essay A Plea for the Poor provides a starting point for Dan Seeger’s reflections in this pamphlet, was a vigorous argument for justice and equality in economic relations. Thus, according to the author, if the universalist principles of Quaker belief extend an inner light and a spirit of love to all humankind, then certainly in today’s global world the ethics of Quakerism must extend to global economy. Seeger both reminds and makes the reader aware, therefore, that Friends from George Fox’s generations and beyond have questioned the moral crime of making human beings (as distinct from human labor) into a marketable commodity.
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| 2006 | Gilk, Paul | Radiant In Joy |
| | A long-time ecological thinker and critic of American consumerist society, h has also written two books and a collection of poetry. The essay presented here has been condensed from a longer piece, and I hope that in "pruning" it I have preserved for QUF readers a lot of its unique style—often blunt, sometimes whimsical, and always deeply thoughtful. Paul is the kind of appreciative author an editor loves to work with, and I follow his express instructions here in "taking a deep bow." R.R.G.
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| 2006 | Williams, Patricia A. | Hazardous Engagement: God Makes a Friend |
| | This spiritual autobiography, written during 2001 and 2002, is framed as a series of monthly letters to the spiritual presence. The author later discovered that this spiritual presence who had been her teacher during those seven years had taught lessons that were in close accordance with the theology of the first Quakers!
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| 2005 | Boulton, David | Militant Seedbeds Of Early Quakerism |
| | Was Gerrard Winstanley a Quaker? Did he have any direct connection with Quakers? Did George Fox read his books and pamphlets, and was he influenced by them? These questions — the first two, at least — were asked in the seventeenth century, and have been asked again by historians and scholars in the twentieth.
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| 2005 | Sibley, Mulford Q. | In Praise of Gandhi Technology And The Ordering Of Human Relations |
| | During the 20th century, Friends were deeply influenced by Gandhi’s concept of nonviolent resistance as a tool for social and political change. They have been less sympathetic to his ideas on technology, although as Sibley makes clear, those ideas were rooted in Gandhi’s religious beliefs and in a testimony of simplicity not unlike that of traditional Quakers.
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| 2004 | Rush, David | They Too Are Friends A Survey of 199 Nontheist Friends |
| | While at Woodbrooke, as a Fellow, Rush was able to research on both sides of the Atlantic the perspective of 199 non-theist Friends. According to Doug Gwyn, “It is an important piece of fresh research on a growing phenomenon in the liberal branch of Quakerism over the past several years.”
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| 2004 | Seeger, Dan | The Mystical Path: Pilgrimage To The One Who Is Always Here |
| | In discussing mysticism, Dan Seeger observes, ’As there is given to us some degree of awareness of the ineffable mystery of God we are shown the way to complete ourselves, both as individuals and as communities, in accordance with the principles of compassion and truth which are the basis of our natural and intended character.’
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| 2003 | Gilman, Rhoda | Review: Essays in Radical Quakerism by David Boulton |
| | Rhoda Gilman reviews a collection of articles by David Boulton, a British Quaker historian.
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| 2003 | Wood, Frank | Walking the Talk |
| | A sensitive article by a Friend who continues his search.
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| 2002 | Fox, George | Fifty nine Particulars |
| | Fifty nine Particulars laid down for the Regulating things, and the taking away of Oppressing Laws, and Oppressors, and to ease the Oppressed. This is the first, since 1659, reprint of Fox’s impassioned plea to Parliament. It is not a theological treatise, but in the Addendum, Fox makes a passionate plea for religious liberty.
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| 2001 | Schmoe, Floyd | Why Is Man? |
| | QUF has edited selections from this book, originally published privately in 1983. This is a small collection of meditations on science, nature, humankind and God. Schmoe was a concerned Friend, a dedicated environmentalist and an active peacemaker.
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| 2001 | Sells, Michael | The Generous Qur'an |
| | QUF is privileged to be able to present Sells’ sensitive translations of ten of the suras (chapters) of the Qur’an. This gives our readers an opportunity to understand more fully and to appreciate the universality and beauty of the Islamic message.
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| 2001 | Abbott, Jay & Cooper | Waiting and Resting in the True Silence: Three Essays from Friends Bulletin |
| | These three essays give the experiential reflections of three authors on the meaning of Meeting for Worship to each of them from a universalist perspective.
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| 2000 | Sibley, Milford Q. | Quaker Mysticism: Its Context and Implications |
| | This posthumously published essay gives the reader the clearest definitions of mysticism available. It also notes that Quaker mysticism, in its framework of group discernment, and helps distinguish illusion from truth in the religious experience.
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| 1999 | Rickerman, Sally | Growing Up Quaker and Universalist Too |
| | The author looks back on her journey as a Quaker universalist -- from her ancestral roots in 17th-century Quakerism, to her family’s experiences on the American frontier, to her own being a 20th-century Friend by both ’nature and nurture’. She also reflects on her perceptions of Quakerism and the leadings that have drawn her into working for QUF.
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| 1998 | Amoss, George | Reforming Christianity |
| | The early Quakers combined the apocalyptic, the mystical, and the prophetic.
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| 1998 | Morgan, Arthur E. | Should Quakers Receive The Good Samaritan Into Their Membership? |
| | As we look today at the world-wide wave of fundamentalism and see the way it threatens to divide both the world and the Religious Society of Friends, many of Morgan’s insights speak to us with fresh conviction.
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| 1998 | Mulford Q. Sibley & Rhoda R. Gilman | Authority and Mysticism in Quaker and Buddhist Thought |
| | These two essays have a common thread which lies in the authority given by both Friends and Buddhists to personal religious experience. And this, as Sibley points out, opens the door to universalism, for mystical experience of the divine and sacred is universal, not limited to Christianity or any other religious tradition.
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| 1997 | Alpern, Robin | Why Not Join the Unitarians? |
| | Can a non-theist find a home in the Religious Society of Friends?
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| 1997 | Seeger, Daniel A. | I Have Called You Friends: A Quaker Universalist's Understanding of Jesus |
| | Dan uses John 15:15 to explore his own relationship to and with Jesus and how it effects his universalism. He points out many of the ’unresolvable dichotomies ... innate to humankind’s spiritual quest’ and the overwhelming unifying quality of love.
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| 1996 | Amoss, George | On Silent Worship |
| | What should I be doing during silent worship?
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| 1996 | Cadbury, Henry J. | A Quaker Approach to the Bible |
| | Given at the Guilford College 1953 Ward Lecture, Cadbury’s exposition of the Quaker approach is today still germaine to Friends as he carries on a long tradition.
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| 1996 | Fager, Chuck | The Authenticity of Liberal Quakerism |
| | An answer to evangelical Quakers from the ’Beanite’ viewpoint.
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| 1995 | Gilman, Rhoda | Toward a New Universalism |
| | The importance of Quaker mysticism in defining what is Universal.
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| 1995 | Hodgkin, David | Quakerism: A Mature Religion for Today, |
| | This view of Quakerism -- as a body defined by its form of worship, the quality of its community, and its service to the world is presented by a presiding clerk, who later became secretary of Australia Yearly Meeting. He states that Quakerism is ’centered toward a God not cramped by definitions which will satisfy some and estrange others.’
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| 1995 | van der Sprenkel, Otto | Friends and Other Faiths, |
| | This is the text of the Ninth James Backhouse Lecture given in Canberra at Australia Yearly Meeting, January 7, 1973, and published by Friends at the same time. Among the implications of his title is that Friends themselves have a ‘faith’ or system of beliefs that can usefully be compared or contrasted with ‘other faiths.’
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| 1994 | Conlon, Emily | William Penn, Quaker Universalist |
| | A discussion of Elizabeth Gray Vining's pamphlet: William Penn, Mystic
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| 1994 | Knudsen-Hoffman, Gene | Spirit and Trauma |
| | During a time of mental illness, Knudsen-Hoffman explored the relationship between religion and psychological health. Insights gained and meaningful meditations from Quakerism, Zen Buddhism and Hasidic Judaism are shared with readers.
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| 1994 | Nicholson, John | The Place of Prayer Is A Precious Habitation, |
| | The author summarizes for Friends the testimony of John Woolman about his rich and varied prayer life. He also helps us understand how it moved from direct prayer to living the spirit of prayer.
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| 1994 | Swayne, Kingdon | Universalism and Me |
| | A non-Christiam Quaker briefly explains his origins and his approach.
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| 1992 | Balling, Peter | The Light upon the Candlestick |
| | QUF takes great pride in presenting a 1663 Quaker tract which argues for the authenticity of inward experience. This pamphlet also has a summary by Rufus Jones in its preface. The Epilogue reports on newly discovered connections between Quakers, the Collegiants and Spinosa.
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| 1992 | Gwyn, Douglas | The Quaker Dynamic: Personal Faith and Corporate Vision |
| | Gwyn tells of his concern that Friends need focus to ’...reclaim the unique Christian spirituality of Quakerism as the shared core of our faith.’ Here he distinguishes between personal faith and shared witness, rejoicing in the light shining in lives of other religionists.
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| 1992 | | Hearing Where The Words Come From Four Perspectives |
| | Tom Ceresini, Mickey Edgerton, Al Roberts and Sally Rickerman heeded the comment made by a non-English-speaking American Indian, listening to John Woolman, ’I love to hear where the words come from.’ Sharing the wide variety of religious experience which shaped each’s faith, all present were able to hear the Spirit and not let words interfere with deep understanding.
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| 1991 | Seeger, Daniel A. | The Boundaries of our Faith A Reflection on the Practice of Goddess Spirituality |
| | This is a thoughtful account of events that started with a women’s weekend at Powell House (NYYM’s conference center) and ended at that year’s Yearly Meeting sessions. Seeger consulted with the Friends involved and has noted where their perspectives differed from his. QUF is indeed privileged to be able to publish this important document.
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| 1991 | Watson, Elizabeth | Journey to Universalism |
| | Elizabeth lovingly shares her life’s spiritual experiences particularly as she made her pilgrimages to Israel, India and Greece. She found that the journey to universalism is a journey to the universe.
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| 1990 | Walters, Herb | Adventures in Listening |
| | Herb Walters has taken his Listening Project successfully to areas of racial, ethnic, and cultural conflict. Here he recounts some of the methods and results of the increasingly used ’Listening’ to bring seemingly opposed ’sides’ to mutual understanding and reconciliation.
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| 1990 | | Varieties of Religious Experience: An Adventure in Listening |
| | QUF was given an opportunity to truly listen with open hearts to the variety of ways that some of their fellow Friends, from a wide range of theological perspectives, give structure to their lives.
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| 1988 | Seeger, Daniel A. | Quaker Universalists: Their Ministry Among Friends and in the World |
| | Defines the reality of Quaker universalism and reviews the opportunities for the Fellowship to become a reconciling and enriching group among Friends.
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| 1986 | Seeger, Daniel A. | The Place of Universalism in the Religious Society of Friends: Is Coexistence Possible? |
| | One of four panelists speaking on Quaker ’theology’ at the 1986 FGC Gathering, Dan traces the universalist strain in Quakerism and reflects on ways to truly share our religious unity.
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| 1985 | Dulles, Avery | Revelation and the Religions |
| | QUF is pleased to reprint a chapter from the book Models of Revelation written by the then Father Dulles. This distinguished Catholic theologian reveals, through meticulous scholarship, the various positions on Divine revelation taken by both Protestants and Catholics and the ’inbuilt tension between particularism and universalism.’
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| Hetherington, Ralph | Readings For Universalists |
| | Testimonies of important Quakers both today and yesterday.
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| Hetherington, Ralph | The Defining Marks Of Quakerism |
| | The inward light as the essence of Quakerism.
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