A systematic theological reflection on Quaker beliefs. Widely used in theology courses. Includes questions for use in group discussions and a glossary of theological terms.
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About the Author
Wilmer (Wil) Cooper grew up among conservative Wilburite Friends in eastern Ohio. He is a graduate of Wilmington College, with graduate degrees from Haverford College, Yale Divinity School, and Vanderbilt University. The founding dean of Earlham School of Religion (1960-78), he taught at ESR through 1985. Wil Cooper is also author of The ESR Story: A Quaker Dream Come True, The Quaker Testimony of Integrity in the Religious Society of Friends, and Growing Up Plain. Wil and Emily Cooper are members of West Richmond (IN) Friends Meeting.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
52 of 52 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Divine Light,
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This review is from: A Living Faith: An Historical and Comparative Study of Quaker Beliefs (Paperback)
How I wish there were more books like Cooper's. I wish there was anything like Cooper's. For the first time I found a book that could be called a systematic theology of Quaker beliefs. And as I'm relatively new to the Friends, I still think systematically. This book was incredibly helpful. Cooper explores in detail Quaker understanding of the sacraments, God, Jesus, the Light, the church, testimonies (like commitment to Peace and Truth and Social Justice), and the end times. And while I wish there was a more full investigation of some aspects like the Peace Testimony, this was a fully satisfying work.
Much of the book covers what I already believe, and knew what Friends believe. But it organized it in an understandable manner, helping me to more fully make sense of the disparate beliefs, within Friends, and within myself. And some portions I had still never fully understood till I read the book. For instance, Cooper's discussion of the sacred in all things, while I have heard it referred to in passing, I have never seen in so well explained, so clearly, so convincingly. The beauty of Cooper's treatment is that it's not just expository of Friend's beliefs. He encourages us to become more, to change- not into something different, but to grow to become more fully Friends. He gives a very balanced treatment of all friends, from different countries, and different persuasions- the more Hicksite, universalist Friends General Conference, and the more Christ-centered Friends United Meetings and (my own) Evangelical Friends International. Cooper fully affirms that all are Friends, with different paths, and both shoots of the Quaker tree contain part of the original Truth of George Fox. I have never seen another book that is so easy to read and simultaneously so fully shows the beliefs of the Friends. Reasons for Hope: The Faith and Future of the Friends Church
26 of 26 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
A Living Faith: An Historical and Comparative Study of Quaker Beliefs.,
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This review is from: A Living Faith: An Historical and Comparative Study of Quaker Beliefs (Paperback)
For anyone interested in becoming acquainted with traditional/classical Quaker beliefs by reading a single clearly and well-written book, this volume has few peers (none known to me). As with any single-volume work of modest length that deals with a complex theological and social phenomenon that has endured for over 350 years one can find fault, but that would be either a churlish or academic thing to do. The author very clearly sets out his goals, and meets them in an exemplary fashion--by the end of the book one has a clear retrospective of Quakerism.
Each chapter deals with a specific question in the history of Quakerism, starting with the history of the movement and ending with "Future Prospects." Each chapter is a gem of succinct exposition. And, while the sympathies of Prof. Cooper clearly lie with the conservative, Christ-centered view of Quakerism; on the whole he fairly represents the liberal view. There is a dearth of information on Universalist Quakerism, and its opposite of extreme evangelism, but the author clearly warns the reader that his intent is only to present the "mainstream" range of Quaker history. My one criticism of the work is that in presenting the possible future of Quakerism, Dr. Cooper does not go far enough in laying out its potential. It is obvious that he shares, as I do, Rufus Jones' view that Quakerism is the seed of a movement and not just a Christian sect. But we diverge in our views, in that Wilmer Cooper views Quakerism as the core or essence of Christianity, while I see it as a movement that has transcended its original Christian roots. In my view George Fox, has had the same impact on Christianity as Jesus did on Judaism. Perhaps George Fox still lacks his St. Paul. But that is a matter for another article. For now, I recommend this wonderful volume.
11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
great reference book!,
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This review is from: A Living Faith: An Historical and Comparative Study of Quaker Beliefs (Paperback)
I use this book the most when I do any historical or "beliefs" articles on Quakers. As a Quaker, myself, it is true to what I believe, and especially shows what testimonies we value as a people. I would recommend this for Quaker education in your meeting. Great book, get it and read it, especially if you want to learn more about Quakers!
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Inside This Book
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First Sentence:
The Religious Society of Friends had its beginning in England in the middle of the seventeenth century, where George Fox (1624-1691) is credited with being the founder of the movement known in the beginning as "Publishers of Truth" and "Children of the Light." Read the first page Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
social testimonies, valiant sixty, peace testimony, inward teacher, religious testimonies, yearly meeting, holy obedience, saving light, sacramental view Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
George Fox, Holy Spirit, Society of Friends, Jesus Christ, New Testament, Robert Barclay, William Penn, Lord's Supper, London Yearly Meeting, Rufus Jones, American Friends, East Africa, Friends United Meeting, Joseph John Gurney, Lewis Benson, World War, Conservative Friends, Earlham School of Religion, Everett Cattell, John Wilhelm Rowntree, Orthodox Friends, Howard Brinton, New England, North America, Arthur Roberts New!
Books on Related Topics | Concordance | Text Stats Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
The Religious Society of Friends had its beginning in England in the middle of the seventeenth century, where George Fox (1624-1691) is credited with being the founder of the movement known in the beginning as "Publishers of Truth" and "Children of the Light." Read the first page Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
social testimonies, valiant sixty, peace testimony, inward teacher, religious testimonies, yearly meeting, holy obedience, saving light, sacramental view Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
George Fox, Holy Spirit, Society of Friends, Jesus Christ, New Testament, Robert Barclay, William Penn, Lord's Supper, London Yearly Meeting, Rufus Jones, American Friends, East Africa, Friends United Meeting, Joseph John Gurney, Lewis Benson, World War, Conservative Friends, Earlham School of Religion, Everett Cattell, John Wilhelm Rowntree, Orthodox Friends, Howard Brinton, New England, North America, Arthur Roberts New!
Books on Related Topics | Concordance | Text Stats Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
Citations (learn more)
This book cites 31
books:
See all 31 books this book cites
1
book
cites this book:
- History of Quakerism by Elbert Russell on 5 pages
- An Apology for the True Christian Divinity by Robert Barclay in Front Matter, page 3, and page 47
- No Cross, No Crown: The Original Exposition On the Cross of Jesus Christ by William Penn on page 126, page 133, and Back Matter
- The People Called Quakers by D. Elton Trueblood in Back Matter (1), Back Matter (2), and Back Matter (3)
- Guide to Quaker Practice by Howard H. Brinton in Back Matter (1), and Back Matter (2)
See all 31 books this book cites
- Undaunted Zeal: The Letters of Margaret Fell by Margaret Askew Fell Fox in Back Matter
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