There is a principle which is pure, placed in the human mind, which in different places and ages hath had different names. It is, however, pure and proceeds from God. It is deep and inward, confined to no forms of religion nor excluded from any, where the heart stands in perfect sincerity.
John Woolman, Journal (1774)
I have always been a Quaker, even before I realised how my thoughts and beliefs aligned with Quakerism. That seems quiet a claim, but the more I have learned about Quaker beliefs over the years, the more I have marvelled at how much these beliefs have already been my own.
But one example - when I was an undergraduate studying theology, I once queried the lecturer about why we believed revelation ended with the visions of John (The Book of Revelation). Why did God’s revelations end at circa 90AD, I asked? The question was not appreciated.
Revelation is ongoing - it neither started nor stopped with the Christian texts. The spiritual life is experiential. We follow the inner light to understand the way to spiritual renewal and growth.
Do Quakers “value” the Christian Bible? The answer could be, “some do”. Value, perhaps, consider as the single authority for their lives - generally “no”.
For this Quaker, the texts of Christianity are only valuable to the extent that they are in accord with the inner light. They are interesting historical documents and, in some instances, offer valuable testimony, but they are only one (or 66, if you think of the books) source of inspiration.
The Christian texts say remarkably little about compassion for other beings (excluding humans, a very narrow perspective). How can a writer speak about “love” and then advocate slavery, as Paul did? How can a writer talk about compassion and then consume innocent beings?
The New Testament refers to Jesus as “the good shepherd” (John 10.11). You can focus on the shepherd protecting the sheep, but you can also focus on the eventual leading of the sheep by the shepherd to slaughter. There are many, many instances of less than perfect love in these texts. The authority for this Friend is the inner light, not simply the words of others.
May all beings know peace!
Aroha nui,
Tūruapō ❣
04 Aug 2025 (GMT +13)