Encounter with Silence: Reflections from the Quaker Tradition [Paperback]

John Punshon (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 7, 2006

Silence is a key characteristic of Quaker worship. The author shares his experience of learning to wait in the silence and find God. Perfect for seekers, inquirers and seasoned Friends.

Editorial Reviews

Review

The book has the freshness of a classic. -- Christopher Holdsworth, Exeter University

From the Back Cover

"John Punshon has written a small and excellent essay on Quaker tradition. He presents the uniqueness of Quaker faith and practice while also relating it to the tradition of Christian spirituality. (His section on silence and the cross, for example, is superb.) The grace of Punshon's message is matched by the grace of his writing style. I hope this book will find its way into many hands, and minds, and hearts."-Parker J. Palmer, author To Know As We Are Known

"This account of the way that worship remakes and renews John Punshon is honest, humble and inspiring. He says many things which I have never seen formulated so crisply and relates them not only to the whole Quaker tradition, but to that of the wider Christian family. The book has the freshness of a classic."--Christopher Holdsworth Exeter University

"John Punshon offers simple but exceptionally powerful thoughts on silence, prayer, discernment, and worship. His resource is the Quaker unprogrammed meeting, but his appeal will be to all who want to move beyond a spiritual superficiality."--Alan Kolp Earlham School of Religion

British Quaker John Punshon is presently Quaker Tutor at Woodbrooke, a Friends study center in Birmingham, England. He has traveled widely among Friends in the United States and is the author of a short history of the Religious Society of Friends, A Portrait in Grey.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 138 pages
• Publisher: Friends United Press (June 7, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0913408964
• ISBN-13: 978-0913408964
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #924,001 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #85 in Books > Christian Books & Bibles > Protestantism > Quaker

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Inspiring, May 30, 2000

By 

Rick Grucza (St. Louis, MO United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Encounter with Silence: Reflections from the Quaker Tradition (Paperback)

An excellent apologetic for the Quaker approach to faith. Although Punshon is not well known, he is an outstanding and eloquent writer -- one of the best writers on religious issues I've encountered since Thomas Merton. He makes a strong case for an approach to faith that is grounded both in contemplation and prophetic action; two areas that are often seen as mutually exclusive.

The book is succinct and to the point and will enhance your understanding of Christianity even if Quakerism is not your interest. Punshon takes a common sense approach to much of much of Christian doctrine and even manages to make sense of the sometimes mystifying (to the nonChristian) belief in the divinity of Christ. Especially recommended to agnostics or struggling Christians although it should be noted that Punshon is equally critical of the liberal and conservative wings of the Quaker movement. END

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An excellent read, if not original, February 20, 2003

By 

mianfei - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Encounter with Silence: Reflections from the Quaker Tradition (Paperback)

"Encounter With Silence" is a most impressive, if not original, outline of the Quaker tradition which dates back to the middle seventeenth century.

The book, written by Quaker John Punshon and controversial theologian Matthew Fox (who gives a useful introduction from his experience of Quakers), aims to outline the distinctive practices involved in Quakerism and does so most effectively because Punshon is able to write so well from the experience of his own life. He shows how silence aims to produce recollection in those who encounter it and the existence of historical precendents for the Quakers before the seventeeth century. Punshon understands effectively how the first Friends saw convincement (being reborn as a Quaker).

Punshon then focuses on unprogrammed Quaker worship and the manner in which it occurs through believers coming together in silence to pray. He is very effective in focusing on the enviroment created by the simplicity of worship so evident in Quakerism, and he does a useful job of understanding the way in which Quakerism has evolved into the present.

The next part of the book looks at the Quaker testimony and the way in which Punshon was attracted to Quakerism and the meaning of this "Testimony" which is expressed, Punshon feels, through one's life rather than though the Testimony's words.

The remainder of the book aims to deal with the way in which Quaker ethics can be expressed in everyday life. Punshon shows very well who a Quaker meeting can be used to avoid distractions from everyday life, but he spends a lot of the book explaining how one still has to "know how to feel". The book then turns to the meaning of ministry and the rhythm of the unprogrammed meeting.

Punshon does an effective job at remembering what he has learnt throughout the book, especially with repect to the various pieces of Quaker ministry. He does a very good job about explaining how ministry comes to people, and how harmony comes to a religious community.

The next piece focuses on the way in which Quaker principles are applied outside of worship, with examples relating to decision making and being faithful ("if you are faithful in little you will be faithful in much"), and how Friends do not seek to avoid conflict in their opinions. The last few chapters of the book are focused on how Quaker principles are applied in daily life.

Whilst none of Punshon's these are original, they are still a very good read.

3 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars THE SILENCE SPEAKS, September 1, 2005

By 

LIZANNE - See all my reviews

This review is from: Encounter with Silence: Reflections from the Quaker Tradition (Paperback)

THE WRITER IS PERSONAL AND NOT AFRAID TO BARE HIS SOUL. HE TRAVELS US THROUGH HIS "FINDING" HIMSELF AND THE QUAKER RELIGION AND GROWING THROUGH HIS DISCOVERIES.

I AM ENJOYING THE BOOK, HAVING A HERITAGE OF QUAKERISM WITHOUT THE UPBRINGING NOR EXPERIENCE.