‘I didn’t think Quakers do theology!’
Anyone could be forgiven for thinking that British Quakers do little, if any, talking or thinking about God. Indeed, for many, our theology in the 21st century is tied to a faith-based prompting to activism and is often practical in nature.
For an insight into the theologising of contemporary Quakerism, the book ‘Telling the truth about God‘ by Rhiannon Grant, explores this key process. ‘As Quakers, we say that we know some things, but not very much, about God, and that we are in a constant process of trying to improve our ways of saying what we do know.’
Throughout the history of our religious society, a few have attempted systematised works, such as he indefatigable George Fox, and Elizabeth Fry’s brother, J. J. Gurney.
Our History Group has been looking at the work of the Scottish, aristocratic Quaker, Robert Barclay, an alumnus of the Parisian Collegium Scoticum. He wrote the seminal systematic theological work, ‘An apology for the True Christian Divinity’ in 1678. This session was led by Izzy Brimelow (pictured, with the ‘apology’), a fellow Scot, and explored Barclays life, times and enduring influence.
