Category Archives: Friends Theology

Quaker Meetings in John Woolman’s Time

Posted on June 5, 2019 by Joe Ginder

While perusing John Woolman, American Quaker, a biography of John Woolman by Janet Whitney published in 1942 that Fred Newkirk asked me to order for him, I ran across a description of what Quaker meeting for worship was in those … Continue reading →

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Asking the Wrong Question: Can a person come to God through general revelation?

Posted on July 15, 2017 by Joe Ginder

Often, theologians divide revelation into general and special, and mean by “general” what can be known of God through nature. By “special” they essentially mean biblical revelation or at least the explicit gospel. So the question comes down to “can … Continue reading →

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“We are all thieves”

Posted on June 11, 2014 by Joe Ginder

In his Journal, George Fox quotes Margaret Fell: And so he went on, and said, “That Christ was the Light of the world, and lighteth every man that cometh into the world; and that by this light they might be … Continue reading →

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1887 Quakers on War (and Peace)

Posted on October 20, 2013 by Joe Ginder

from Declaration of Faith issued by the Richmond Conference of Friends in 1887: We feel bound explicitly to avow our unshaken persuasion that all war is utterly incompatible with the plain precepts of our divine Lord and Law-giver, and the … Continue reading →

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Waiting Worship Instructions

Posted on March 2, 2013 by Joe Ginder

Be still, and know that I am God Psalm 46:10 Waiting worship begins in silence. Each worshipper comes to meet with God. As soon as the first person arrives it is time to be quiet. As you arrive, enter quietly … Continue reading →

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A Discernment Process

Posted on February 14, 2012 by Joe Ginder

Discernment – The act or process of exhibiting keen insight and good judgment. – The Free Online Dictionary We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God … Continue reading →

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Lectio Divina

Posted on October 8, 2011 by Joe Ginder

Lectio Divina is a way of reading scripture that allows contemplation, listening to the Holy Spirit, and even communion with God in order to more deeply appreciate and integrate scripture into one’s thinking and being. One may receive peace, guidance, … Continue reading →

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What makes a church? …Contrasting Catholic and Quaker thinking

Posted on July 7, 2011 by Joe Ginder

In an essay entitled The Ecclesiology of Vatican II, Joseph Ratzinger (as of 2011, the current pope) explains a Catholic view of what constitutes a church: No one can make a Church by himself. A group cannot simply get together, … Continue reading →

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Does God intend Christians to be healthy and wealthy?

Posted on November 4, 2010 by Joe Ginder

Does God intend Christians to be healthy and wealthy? Is the prosperity gospel on target? I say no. Here’s an explanation. The argument I most often hear for the prosperity gospel is that God loves his people and knows how … Continue reading →

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Early Quaker Charles Marshall on Christians

Posted on August 12, 2010 by Joe Ginder

Recently Arthur Roberts recommended to the Friends Theology email list a quote from a prayer by Charles Marshall, given at the close of a meeting in Grace-Church Street on March 11, 1693. The prayer is found in the Quaker Homiletics … Continue reading →