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Quaker Environmentalism - Page 2

Page 2

Apr 1, 1999

Second, our mysticism isn't just contemplative, but is strongly prophetic in nature.

By this I mean: we don't just sink into a passive contemplation of God's presence, as a monk might in his cell (though we do treasure the "meditative" experience of God). But going to the place of conscience within us,³ and experiencing God as our Counselor (Paraklete) there, we seek to feel and know His will in that place -- both His will regarding ourselves and His will concerning the world.⁴ And this experience then impels us to action⁵ -- and the action it impels us to is very often an act to address some sort of lack in the world: either a correction of our own erring behavior, or a healing response to some wound that another has suffered, or a challenge to some unrighteousness we have recognized in the world around us.

In these ways, our mystical experience makes us into witnesses to the world -- witnesses regarding God's will for our time -- witnesses who speak, not from ancient scripture or church dogma, but from their own fresh and immediate encounters with God. -- Which, of course, is what prophecy is all about! It's true that the way we do it today differs in various points from the way that prophets did it in Biblical times: for instance, we don't generally live in the desert on locusts and wild honey. But that is a difference of style, not one of substance. At the level of substance, our mysticism is a direct continuation of the practice of the prophets in our time.

Third, since our fundamental source of guidance is this inward experience -- and since the source of this experience is God Himself -- we do not let ourselves be ruled instead by mere human understandings of scripture, or by a human priesthood, or by human custom and tradition. We accept only the rule of God who is present here and now amongst us.

Other branches of Christianity also have one or more of these features, at least to some extent. But I cannot think of any other branch of Christianity, or of any religion whatever, that not only has all three of these features, but makes them the central organizing features of its practice as Friends do. For other branches of Christianity, these three things are typically just one small part or aspect of the religious life. But for us, these three things are the living, beating heart of a true relationship with God.

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2. Dec 24, 1999 1:07 PM
Traute,

I'm no student of languages, but your understanding of stewardship is the same as mine.

-- posted by Bill_Samuel

1. Dec 23, 1999 8:30 PM
I am in full agreement with the principles of this article, but I take strong objection to the explanation of "stewardship" of the earth. I am a student of languages and look at the proper meaning at ...

-- posted by biogardener

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