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

~ (Author) "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..." (more)
Key Phrases: social testimonies, valiant sixty, peace testimony, George Fox, Holy Spirit, Society of Friends (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Wilmer Cooper updates this Quaker classic. Books which present a systematic theological reflection on Quaker beliefs are rare. Wilmer Cooper draws on thirty years of teaching theology and social ethics, with a concentration on Quaker studies, for this work. Each Chapter has questions for use by those who wish to use the book for group discussions. Includes a glossary of theological terms. Second Edition

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.

Product Details

• Paperback: 269 pages
• Publisher: Friends United Press; 2 edition (December 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0944350534
• ISBN-13: 978-0944350539
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #138,517 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

47 of 47 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Divine Light, April 24, 2004

By	Jedidiah Palosaari "Not My Real Name" (Fes, Morocco) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

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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

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Living Faith: An Historical and Comparative Study of Quaker Beliefs., January 23, 2007

By	Nikolai Burlakoff "PeaceNick" (Ossining, NY USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars great reference book!, December 16, 2006

By	R. Ross (Sabina, OH USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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!