Customer Reviews

A Living Faith: An Historical and Comparative Study of Quaker Beliefs

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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

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.

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!

This is a good study of Quaker faith from a historical perspective. Written by a graduate professor, it is useful both for the student and for a more general audience. It is good for group study, with discussion questions on each chapter.

If your goal is to learn the essentials about what it means to be a Friend, start here.

When I first became a Quaker, this was the first book I read. Having gone through a huge variety of Quaker literature since that time, I am so glad that this was the book I started with!

Cooper's concise, rich volume gives the essential introductory information that anyone - including practicing Quakers - would benefit from. Crucially, Cooper takes a balanced approach in his description of the Friends tradition. He provides a broad perspective that is probably as close as humanly possible to being non-sectarian, given the entrenched divisions within the Religious Society of Friends with regards to faith and practice.

This is a very thorough book regarding Quaker theology. It reviews original beliefs and current Quaker beliefs. It is organized by topic, such as: sin, God, Church, etc. It is also very understandable. I recommend this for any new or old Quaker.

I have recently become interested in learning more about the history of Christianity because I want to know more about my faith. I am not a Quaker but I became interested in Quakerism after touring a Philadelphia meeting house. This book provides an excellent summary of Quaker beliefs that I now consult from time to time. I recommend this book to anyone who wants to understand more about Quakerism.

This book answered for me many of the questions I had about the different varieties of Quakerism and their historic genealogies. The book is succinctly written. Those with strong theological backgrounds will find it an easier read than those, like myself, with a background primarily in philosophy. If you have read few religious studies books, you will benefit greatly by reading the the book's glossary first. The book has several useful diagrams in its appendices which I found very helpful for visualizing the derivation of the different historical threads and splits of the Society of Friends.