QuakerInfo.com Forum

johndavis · Joined: 12 May 2010 Posts: 1

Hi. I'm new to this forum. I don't come from a Quaker background, but what little I know has impressed and fascinated me, and I'm interested in learning more.

I've been hoping to get a little more insight into Quaker understandings of spirtual revelation and its workings.

I'm confused about this notion of the 'inner light'. Is the inner light something internal, like a soul, or something external that you seek after? Is the inner light something you are born with that gives you the opportunity to receive revelation from God, and if so, can you lose it?

Quakers seek to be led by divine revelation. Why then does there seem to be so much diversity of belief amongst them? Different Yearly Meetings can be liberal or conservative, evangelical or universalist. I remember reading on this forum that individual congregations can have people who believe Christ is their savior worshipping alongside people who don't think he was anything but a man who taught some good things.

How do you explain this? If each individual Quaker and each group claims to be guided by God, why do they often come to different conclusions? How can you determine who is wrong and who is right? Should you even try? How do you reconcile these differences of belief?

Please don't think I'm trying to attack anybody. I realize that this same question could be posed to just about any religious group. I'm sincerely interested in how Quakers respond to it.

Thanks!

michaeldavidjay · Joined: 21 Dec 2006 Posts: 452

The classical method of reconciling the difference is that the others are wrong... but -- we are growing more polite than we were in the 19th and 20th centuries.

http://michaeldavidjay.wordpress.com/2010/04/24/immediate-revelation/ My thoughts on this issue as of a few days ago can be found here...
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Do Friends speak to today's condition, or are we only a historical footnote?

kevin roberts · Posted: Thu May 13, 2010 9:17 am Post subject:

There are different kinds of Quakers, John, just as there are different kinds of Hindus.

Some Hindus believe Krsna was a minor prankster deity. Some believe he was the ultimate omniscient God. Some believe he was something in between. His relationship to other aspects of Hinduism depends on what other aspects of Hinduism the believer already accepts.

Quakerism is similar. There are Quakers who have a great deal in common, and there are Quakers who have essentially nothing in common. There are Quakers who think that is important, and there are Quakers who don't. No one person can say anything about the questions you have asked without reflecting the particular branch/sect/denomination/schism he or she represents.

Having said that, your questions are good ones, and this is a balanced place to receive different answers. There are branches of Quakers that aren't represented here, but they will be mentioned in any meaningful conversation.

Welcome.

Chip · Posted: Thu May 13, 2010 5:01 pm Post subject:

I think the reason for very different understandings among sincere believers is the same for Quakers as for others.
We see through a glass darkly. And we know in part. We each are drawn of God from where we are. Along the way we look out the dark glass of our windshields and we see what we see. We're all being drawn by and going towards the same Light but the passing scenery is different for each of us because we're coming to that Light from different places.
But the closer we get to that Light, the more clear our glass becomes. And the more clearly we see that Light, the more we trust and the more we let ourselves surrender to Him Who is that Light.
Your mileage may vary.
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Take what is given
Give what is taken

Kiahanie · Joined: 25 Mar 2008 Posts: 464 Location: Oregon

That is the clearest and most visual explanation I've heard, Friend Chip. I will keep that one and hold it. Thank you.
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"There is a field out beyond right and wrong. I'll meet you there." --Jellaludin Rumi

BillSamuel · Posted: Thu Jul 22, 2010 7:22 pm Post subject:

Inner light is a popular modern liberal Quaker term. Early Quakers used a number of terms for the concept, of which inner light was one of the less used. The Inward Light was the Light of Christ, the Inward Teacher, who exposes our sins and wrong thoughts, and leads us in the right paths.

Friends today don't always mean the same thing by Inner Light as early Friends meant by such terms.

Early Friends believed that God was consistent in speaking through time and to different people. Further they believed that the voice of God was accessible to all. The Friends practice in conducting church business was based upon these beliefs. They believed that all who sincerely sought the will of Christ on a matter would eventually be led to the same answer.

However, humans tend to have a lot of internal filters which affect how they hear God. And Quakers have been influenced throughout the centuries by the cultures and religious trends around them. In addition, there have been issues of power which divided Friends. So there are a variety of factors which led to Quakers becoming splintered.
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Bill Samuel, Silver Spring, MD, USA
Co-Coordinator, Friends in Christ

Alyss · Joined: 22 Jul 2010 Posts: 3

Anthony · Joined: 30 Jun 2004 Posts: 1542

CelticNorth · Joined: 22 Sep 2005 Posts: 755 Location: East of Eden

Revelation may assume other forms and speak in other voices which compliment the tradtions out of which we ourselves try to seek Truth. Here is a passage from the Holy Dhammapada, which came across my desk this morning: " We are what we think. All that we are arises with our thoughts. With our thoughts we make the world. Speak or Act with a pure mind and happiness will follow you, just as your shadow is unshakable". When we assume the presence of God is in our lives to instruct us and offer us leadings, it behooves us to realize the great work continues in and through others, and need not nessessecarily be of the same Revelation.