A Quaker Understanding of Jesus Christ, Part 1

[EDITOR'S NOTE: This article is taken, by permission, from an article, "A Quaker Understanding of Jesus Christ", by Arthur O. Roberts in Quaker Religious Thought, Vol. 29, No. 3, July 1999. Due to the length of that article, it will be published online here in four installments. The article was adapted from a paper read at the Quaker Theological Discussion Group, Orlando, Florida, November 21, 1998, and responses to it. Arthur Roberts is the Editor of Quaker Religious Thought. He is the author of many journal articles, poems, devotional pieces, books, and other writings. He has served in the past as Professor of Religion and Philosophy and as Dean of Faculty at George Fox University, as well as a pastor in Friends' (Quaker) churches. Quaker Religious Thought is published two times a year, and subscription information can be obtained from Phil Smith, Religion Department, George Fox University, Newberg, OR 97132.]

Introduction

In this paper I first state five assumptions about truth basic to theological expressions by 17^th century Quaker leaders. Then under twelve headings I summarize what early Friends believed about Christ, supported by citations. After this I identify seven contemporary cultural barriers to acceptance of these early Quaker beliefs about Christ. I then summarize certain points at issue and suggest lines of resolution.

A. Basic Quaker Assumptions About the Nature of Truth

1. God reveals truth.
2. Christianity is based upon revealed truth.
3. Revealed truth is transformational, and not just cognitive.
4. Truth is fully comprehended through obedience.
5. Christian truth claims are experientially and rationally credible.

B. What early Friends believed about Christ

1. There is unity in the Christ as historically revealed and as spiritually received.

This is very clear to anyone who reads early Quaker writings. It is also apparent that 17^th century Friends shared with other Christians a firm belief in the unique, messianic nature of Jesus of Nazareth. What Quakers labored against was a prevalent unbelief in the immediate presence of Christ. They labored to show that the universality of Christ is coherent with the particular historical incarnation, that Christ was not encapsulated within priestly ritual nor within the Scriptures that testified of him.