The Quakers A Very Short Introduction

The Quakers: A Very Short Introduction charts the history of Quakerism and its present-day diversity, and outlines its approach to worship, belief, theology and language, and ecumenism. It explains the origins of the Quakers: how they emerged from the social unrest of the English civil war and constantly adapted themselves thereafter to new theological insights and new social settings. It examines their influence through their continued stance against war and the pioneering work for penal reform and against slavery which emerged from their idea of spiritual equality. Quakers' distinctive methods of worship are explored, by which they believe they achieve a direct encounter with God.

• The perfect introductory guide to this varied and growing worldwide faith
• Places Quakerism in the wider religious picture and outlines what the future may hold for the group
• Explains the origins and history of the Quakers: how they emerged from the social unrest of the English civil war, and how they have since gone on to have an influence way beyond their numbers
• Examines their continued stance against war and their pioneering work for penal reform and against slavery
• Illuminates the distinctive methods of worship, and how Quakers believe they achieve a direct encounter with God

 Author: Ben Pink Dandelion

Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA (2008)