The purpose of the Quaker Theological Discussion Group is to explore the meaning and implications of our Quaker faith and religious experience through discussion and publication. This search for unity in the claim of truth upon us concerns both the content and application of our faith.
You can access our digital archives online, view our index of past articles, or contact us if you are interested in subscribing.
Christy Randazzo contributed “Affirmation Mysticism: The Activist Theology of Rufus Jones” to the Fall 2019 issue of QRT. Through an exploration of the social activism of Jones through his involvement with the American Friends Service Committee, combined with his mystical Quakerism, Randazzo highlights the interdependent and social theology of Jones, and of Quakerism as a whole. Order your copy of this issue today at https://qtdg.org/subscribe.
The fall issue of Quaker Religious Thought is now out:
Our lastest issue is heading to your mailbox! Contributors include David Harrington Watt, James Krippner, Christy Randazzo, Cherice Bock, Oscar Lugusa Malande, and Jay Miller. Need to order your copy or subscribe? Go to: https://qtdg.org/subscribe
Co-authors James Krippner and David Harrington Watt of Haverford College wrote: “Henry Cadbury, the Peace Testimony, and the First World War,” which appeared in the Fall 2019 issue of QRT. They ask, “How did twentieth-century Friends understand the nature of the so-called Peace Testimony?” Recognizing this is a large question, they approach it through looking at the life of influential Friend Henry Cadbury (1885-1973), attending to his understanding of peace, and the difficulties he faced even among Friends as he spoke out against WWI and was forced to resign from Haverford. Krippner and Harrington Watt compare Cadbury’s experiences and beliefs to those of early Friends.
Order your copy of this issue of QRT (and former issues!) at https://qtdg.org/subscribe.
Quaker Theological Discussion Group, 2019
American Academy of Religion/Society of Biblical Literature Annual Meeting
San Diego, California
Session I: Friday, November 22, 2019 4:30-6:00 pm|
Hilton Bayfront – 206 (Second Level)
Panel: Quaker Youth Ministry and Theopraxis in a Multicultural Context.
Roger Nam, Trisha Welstad, Steve Sherwood, Leah Payne, Joel Mayward, Hannah Souter, George Fox University
Respondent: Nim Njuguna, Woodbrooke Quaker Study Center
Session II: Friday, November 22, 2019 7:00-9:00 pm
Marriott Marquis-Oceanside (South Tower – First Level)
Quakers Reading Scripture
“Read Within”: Margaret Fell and Scripture
Michael Birkel, Earlham School of Religion
The “Mystic Sense” of Scripture as taught by Hannah Whitall Smith: Nineteenth Century Quaker Bible Teacher
Carole Spencer, Portland Seminary of George Fox University
Inspiring Readings of the Inspired Text—Taking the Bible Personally, After the Manner of Friends
Paul Anderson, George Fox University
“Hearing to Speech”: A Participatory Theology of Word-Dwelling as Congregational Formation in God’s Mission
David Hahn, Northwest Washington Synod ELCA and Luther Seminary
**All QTDG sessions are free and attenders do not need to register for the AAR/SBL Annual Meeting.
The corpus of Quaker women’s history and literature offers one of the most fascinating studies of gender across all centuries and continents. This small group of women pioneers, activists, prophets, and writers has often been at the grassroots of revolutionary movements, fuelling and propelling the way for global, monumental change. The 2018 release of Michele Lise Tarter and Catie Gill’s New Critical Studies on Early Quaker Women, 1650 – 1800 (Oxford University Press) demonstrates the potential for strong, innovative interdisciplinary scholarship on the influence of these women. This project seeks to follow that successful volume and its focus on gender in Quaker studies to gather an interdisciplinary body of writers with a shared interest in reassessing nineteenth-century Quaker women, highlighting new discoveries and interpretations about their literary creation, historical landmarks, and transatlantic movements.
Possible topics include, but are not limited to:
Please submit proposals of approximately 500 words, along with a curriculum vita, to: Robynne Rogers Healey (robynne.healey@twu.ca) and Carole Dale Spencer (spencca@earlham.edu) by 15 March 2019. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Call for Papers
Quaker Theological Discussion Group at American Academy of Religion, Denver CO
November 16, 2018
The Impact of World War I on Quaker Thought and Practice
To commemorate the global World War I Centenary that concludes at the end of this year, the QTDG invites paper proposals on a wide range of topics related to the impact of the war – including its lead up and aftermath – upon Quaker thought in the Twentieth Century. Papers would explore: Quaker thought and action related to peace, justice, and violence: new theological trends to emerge from the impact of the war: and new organizations for relief work in Europe, reflected in the work of leading Quaker voices and activists such as Henry Cadbury, William Hull, Rufus Jones, Neave Brayshaw, Ruth Fry and many others.
Send proposal title and synopsis (250-300 words) to QTDG chairs: Carole Spencer spencca@earlham.edu and DanChristy Randazzo drandazzo@mfriends.org Deadline is August 30, 2018.
QTDG will be meeting for our annual gathering on Friday November 17, 2017 during AAR in Boston this year. Here is the schedule:
Quakers and Public Theology scheduled on Friday, November 17 from 4:30:00 PM to 6:00:00 PM in the Boston University Room at the Marriott Copley Place
Session 1: Friday Nov. 17 4:30-6:00
Quakers and Public Theology
Understanding the Quakers’ Expansive Conception of Rights Through the Activism of John Dickinson, 1760-1800: Jane Calvert, University of Kentucky
Anthony Benezet’s anti-slavery writings: Jon Kershner, University of Lancaster
Beyond the Bureaucracy: The True Purpose of Quaker Yearly Meetings, Robin Mohr
Interpretations of Early Quakerism scheduled on Friday, November 17 from 7:00:00 PM to 9:00:00 PM in the Beacon, Room A at the Sheraton Hotel
Session 2: Friday Nov. 17, 7:00-9:00
History and Interpretations of Quakerism
Primitive Christianity Revived: Paul Anderson, George Fox University
Barclay’s Christology: Madeleine Ward, University of Oxford
Rufus Jones’ Interpretation of Quakerism: Dan Randazzo, University of Birmingham
Response: Jeff Dudiak, The King’s University, Edmonton
Business Meeting
Please contact us if you have any questions.
We are looking forward to the upcoming Quaker Theological Discussion Group (November 19-22) taking place at the American Academy of Religion in San Antonio, TX.
We will hold two sessions on Friday, November 18 from 4:30-9pm in the La Princessa Room at the Hilton Palacio del Rio.
Session 1: “Hybridity and Multi-Religious Belonging among Quakers” 4:30:00 PM to 6:00:00 PM
Panelists:
Session 2: Review of Early Quakers and Their Theological Thought 7:00:00 PM to 9:00:00 PM
Panelists:
