Why Friends Are Friends: Some Quaker Core Convictions

Rating:
Summary: Good Little Book
Review: Willcuts is a clear writer, and was devoted to both Christ Jesus and to those of His servants who call themselves Friends (or Quakers).

What this book gives you is a clear, concise (6 chapters, totallying only about 100 pages) description and defense of some Evangelical Quaker distinctives. Specifically, he speaks of evangelical Quaker worship, the Quaker view of the sacraments, calling to ministry, pacifism, and rule by consensus (or "getting the sense of the meeting"). So, if that's what you want, that's what you'll get.

If you're looking for a historical or comparative approach to these issues, this is not the book you want. Willcuts is specifically evangelical in his approach. You may want to try a book like A Living Faith, by Wilmer Cooper, if you want a historical comparative approach.

If you're looking for a history of Quakerism, this is also not the book you want. Willcuts is presenting the stance of evangelical Quakers of today.

If you're looking for a full-fledged defense of Quaker theology, you certainly won't get that here (try Barclay's Apology). Willcuts assumes basic Christianity as a background, and confines himself to talking about specifically evangelical Quaker issues.

As an Evangelical Friend who appreciates ecumenism, I found this book to be a good summary of what other Christians should be told if they want to know what is different about my denomination, and also provided a decent basis for them.