QuakerQuaker

Primitive Christianity Revived, Again

William Rotch and Quakers as a "Holy Nation"

Historian Sarah Crabtree has a great post about William Rotch over on the "Age of Revolutions" blog:

"A member of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) and therefore a pacifist, William Rotch vehemently opposed the wars for independence and empire during the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries. As a result, the governments of three different countries accused him of disloyalty between 1775 and 1795.

"Historians have emphasized the Friends’ quietism, portraying them as passive, neutral, and aloof. I maintain, however, that Quakers engaged directly and forcefully with the changing political landscape.

"I argue that during this period the Society of Friends formed a 'holy nation': a transnational community of like-minded believers united in opposition to unholy governments and laws. In so doing, they not only directly resisted the governments under which they lived but vigorously challenged the new values championed by those in power—nationalism, patriotism, and citizenship."

Here's a link to the full post: http://ageofrevolutions.com/2016/03/28/quaker-whaler-coward-spy-wil...

I am curious what others here think of her concept of Friends as a "holy nation," and whether any have read her book on the subject: http://press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/book/chicago/H/bo20145425.html.

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Permalink Reply by Forrest Curo on 3rd mo. 31, 2016 at 12:44pm

Haven't read her book; but this: http://quakertheology.org/peoplehood-1.htm

is a shorter treatment of that concept in our history.

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Permalink Reply by Matt on 4th mo. 4, 2016 at 8:32am

It looks as though I will have the opportunity to interview Sarah Crabtree. If you have any questions you would like to ask her, please let me know!

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Permalink Reply by Forrest Curo on 4th mo. 18, 2016 at 11:27am

Okay, the 'Circuit' borrowing system here, including some local college libraries, does have the book, which so far I'm enjoying.

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Permalink Reply by Matt on 4th mo. 18, 2016 at 11:41am

Wonderful! I look forward to hearing your thoughts! I posted her responses to my interview questions (which include an excerpt from the book) here.

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