A Living Faith: An Historical and Comparative Study of Quaker Beliefs

Rating:
Summary: Divine Light
Review: How I wish there were more books like Cooper's. I wish there was anything like Cooper's. For the first time I found a book that could be called a systematic theology of Quaker beliefs. And as I'm relatively new to the Friends, I still think systematically. This book was incredibly helpful. Cooper explores in detail Quaker understanding of the sacraments, God, Jesus, the Light, the church, testimonies (like commitment to Peace and Truth and Social Justice), and the end times. And while I wish there was a more full investigation of some aspects like the Peace Testimony, this was a fully satisfying work.

Much of the book covers what I already believe, and knew what Friends believe. But it organized it in an understandable manner, helping me to more fully make sense of the disparate beliefs, within Friends, and within myself. And some portions I had still never fully understood till I read the book. For instance, Cooper's discussion of the sacred in all things, while I have heard it referred to in passing, I have never seen in so well explained, so clearly, so convincingly.

The beauty of Cooper's treatment is that it's not just expository of Friend's beliefs. He encourages us to become more, to change- not into something different, but to grow to become more fully Friends. He gives a very balanced treatment of all friends, from different countries, and different persuasions- the more Hicksite, universalist Friends General Conference, and the more Christ-centered Friends United Meetings and (my own) Evangelical Friends International. Cooper fully affirms that all are Friends, with different paths, and both shoots of the Quaker tree contain part of the original Truth of George Fox.

I have never seen another book that is so easy to read, and so fully shows the beliefs of the Friends.

Rating:
Summary: Divine Light
Review: How I wish there were more books like Cooper's. I wish there was anything like Cooper's. For the first time I found a book that could be called a systematic theology of Quaker beliefs. And as I'm relatively new to the Friends, I still think systematically. This book was incredibly helpful. Cooper explores in detail Quaker understanding of the sacraments, God, Jesus, the Light, the church, testimonies (like commitment to Peace and Truth and Social Justice), and the end times. And while I wish there was a more full investigation of some aspects like the Peace Testimony, this was a fully satisfying work.

Much of the book covers what I already believe, and knew what Friends believe. But it organized it in an understandable manner, helping me to more fully make sense of the disparate beliefs, within Friends, and within myself. And some portions I had still never fully understood till I read the book. For instance, Cooper's discussion of the sacred in all things, while I have heard it referred to in passing, I have never seen in so well explained, so clearly, so convincingly.

The beauty of Cooper's treatment is that it's not just expository of Friend's beliefs. He encourages us to become more, to change- not into something different, but to grow to become more fully Friends. He gives a very balanced treatment of all friends, from different countries, and different persuasions- the more Hicksite, universalist Friends General Conference, and the more Christ-centered Friends United Meetings and (my own) Evangelical Friends International. Cooper fully affirms that all are Friends, with different paths, and both shoots of the Quaker tree contain part of the original Truth of George Fox.

I have never seen another book that is so easy to read, and so fully shows the beliefs of the Friends.

Rating:
Summary: Good study of Quakerism
Review: This is a good study of Quaker faith from a historical perspective. Written by a graduate professor, it is useful both for the student and for a more general audience. It is good for group study, with discussion questions on each chapter.

Rating:
Summary: Good study of Quakerism
Review: This is a good study of Quaker faith from a historical perspective. Written by a graduate professor, it is useful both for the student and for a more general audience. It is good for group study, with discussion questions on each chapter.