New Directions in Quaker Studies

This paper will trace the development of Quaker argumentation over women's ministry as expounded in three Quaker tracts in the 1650s, by Richard Farnworth; Priscilla Cotton and Mary Cole; and George Fox. The first two feature a higher degree of spiritualization of the Apostle Paul's passages on gender and women's ministry, both making the argument that "women" should mean those who are "weak in the spirit," mostly male priests. Fox's tract balances support of women's prophesying with traditional views of women's submission to husbands. This paper considers the role that such differences likely played in the substantial divisions that developed among Quakers in England, most notably between George Fox on the one hand with his traditional views, and that of James Nayler and Martha Simmons on the other hand, as they enacted a Christological sign of Nayler's 1656 entry into Bristol, similar to Christ's triumphal entry into Jerusalem

This paper discusses the methodological framework and initial findings of the first-ever World Survey of Friends in 2024, which was conducted among the participants of the World Plenary held by the Friends World Committee for Consultation in 2024. The survey was run by Woodbrooke's Centre for Research in Quaker Studies, which has a 35-year track record in surveying Quakers in Britain, and it gathered responses of Quakers from across the world and the breadth of theological traditions. In that context, this paper compares the challenges of constructing a new, global and multilingual survey with those of administering a well-established survey within a single territory. I argue that the quantitative approach to such a survey has academic value but that it can be significantly enhanced when combined with qualitative comments and interviews detailing individual experiences.

Quaker women in Kenya express their faith through the “Kuhambiza itaya” (Lighting the lamp) ritual, symbolizing the Quaker belief in the inner light—the idea that everyone carries “that of God” within them. This ceremony celebrates women’s servant-leadership in socio-cultural and religious spheres, honoring their exemplary service and achievements within the Quaker church. Blending Quaker spirituality with African cultural traditions, the ritual uses modern artifacts like the lantern lamp to embody existential spirituality. This study explores how Kenyan Quaker women integrate Quaker existential spirituality with cultural practices through Kuhambiza itaya, highlighting the localization of a global religious tradition. Conducted in Western Kenya, where Quakerism has deep roots since 1902, the research employs field studies, interviews, focus group discussions, and participant observations. Grounded in Webster’s (2009) theory of existential spirituality, it examines how individuals derive meaning and purpose through relational experiences, offering insights into the ritual’s cultural and spiritual significance.