The Quakers as a Radical Sect trying to build a ‘Goldy Society’ Flashcards
Who founded the Quaker movement?
George Fox
In which decade was the Quaker movement founded?
Late 1640s
What historical events prompted the founding of the Quaker movement?
The upheavals of the English Civil Wars
What significant event occurred in 1646 that affected the Anglican Church?
Collapse of Anglican Church authority
What happened in 1649 that contributed to the destabilization of traditional religious structures?
Execution of Charles I
What was the effect of the collapse of Anglican Church authority and the execution of Charles I?
Created space for increased religious pluralism and experimentation
What type of new groups emerged during the period of religious upheaval?
Various new sects
Which group became one of the most distinctive and enduring during the religious upheaval?
Quakers
What did Fox reject regarding religious truth?
The idea that religious truth required ordained ministers or scripture
Fox was disillusioned with liturgical formalism and clerical hierarchy.
What is the doctrine of ‘inner light’?
The belief that divine revelation is accessible directly to all individuals, without priests, sacraments, or even the Bible.
What did early Quakers call themselves?
Friends of the Truth
They later became known as the Society of Friends.
What type of meetings did early Quakers hold?
Silent meetings, waiting for the Holy Spirit to inspire individuals to speak.
What did early Quakers reject in their practices?
Formal sermons and pre-prepared prayers.
What was the original meaning of the term ‘Quaker’?
A pejorative nickname referring to their trembling in religious ecstasy.
What did early Quakers attribute their trembling to?
The direct influence of the Holy Spirit.
What period marked significant hostility and persecution for Quakers?
Under Oliver Cromwell’s Protectorate (1653–1658) and the Clarendon Code (1660s)
This era was marked by strict regulations against dissenting religious groups.
Where did the Quaker movement expand beyond England?
To Ireland, the American colonies, and the Netherlands
This expansion highlights the movement’s growing influence and appeal.
By the late 1650s, what had the Quakers established?
A distinct identity
This identity was crucial for their recognition as a unique religious group.
Who were two key figures in solidifying the Quaker structure and message?
James Nayler and Margaret Fell
Their itinerant preaching was instrumental in spreading Quaker beliefs.
Fill in the blank: The Quaker movement faced persecution particularly during the _____ and the Clarendon Code.
Oliver Cromwell’s Protectorate
True or False: The Quaker movement only spread within England during its early years.
False
The movement expanded to several other regions, including Ireland and the American colonies.
What year did George Fox begin his spiritual search?
1643
Fox left his apprenticeship to wander across England in search of spiritual truth.
What significant event occurred in 1647 for George Fox?
He experienced a religious awakening
This marked the foundation of Quaker theology, emphasizing the ‘inner light’.
What phrase did Fox claim during his religious awakening?
‘Christ had come to teach His people Himself’
This statement underpins the Quaker belief in personal revelation.
In what years did Fox begin public preaching?
1649–1650
He preached in Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire, and Yorkshire.
What happened to Fox in 1650?
He was imprisoned in Derby for blasphemy
This was due to his declaration that ‘trembling before the Lord’ is a sign of divine inspiration.
What term was first used as a derogatory nickname for Fox’s followers?
‘Quaker’
This nickname emerged during the time of Fox’s imprisonment.
What significant event occurred in 1652 related to Quakerism?
The beginning of rapid Quaker expansion.
Who preached at Pendle Hill in Lancashire in 1652?
Fox.
What vision did Fox claim to have at Pendle Hill?
A vision of ‘a great people to be gathered.’
Who did Fox meet that became a key patron for Quakerism?
Margaret Fell.
What was the role of Swarthmoor Hall in the Quaker movement?
Swarthmoor Hall became a center for Quaker activity.
Name one prominent early Quaker who emerged as a preacher.
James Nayler.
True or False: Quakerism experienced significant growth after 1652.
True.
Fill in the blank: Fox’s vision at Pendle Hill indicated a _______ to be gathered.
great people
Who were the ‘Valiant Sixty’?
A group of Quaker preachers who embarked on a missionary campaign across England, Scotland, Wales, and Ireland.
What was the main activity of the ‘Valiant Sixty’?
They embarked on a missionary campaign.
In which countries did the ‘Valiant Sixty’ conduct their missionary campaign?
England, Scotland, Wales, and Ireland.
Where did Quakerism gain a strong following?
London.
What opposition did Quakerism face in London?
Opposition from Presbyterians and Independents.
True or False: Quakerism was welcomed without any opposition in London.
False.
What event did James Nayler reenact in 1656?
Christ’s entry into Jerusalem
How did James Nayler enter Bristol in 1656?
Riding on a donkey
What accusation was made against James Nayler?
Blasphemy
What punishment did James Nayler receive for his blasphemy?
Branded with the letter ‘B’ on his forehead
Despite the scandal surrounding Nayler, what happened to Quakerism?
It continued to spread internationally
Which regions did Quakerism reach due to its spread?
- American colonies
- Netherlands
What intensified in 1659 under Cromwell’s government regarding Quakers?
Persecution
Why were Quakers viewed as a threat by Cromwell’s government?
They were seen as politically subversive
What legal measures were used against Quakers during Cromwell’s rule?
Arrests under blasphemy laws
What significant event occurred in 1660 affecting Quakers?
Restoration of Charles II
What was the name of the code that imposed severe repression on Quakers from 1661 to 1665?
Clarendon Code
What strategy did Quakers use to survive repression under the Clarendon Code?
Peaceful resistance
Who made a direct appeal to the king to help Quakers during the Restoration?
Fox
How did the philosophies of Ranters and Quakers diverge?
Ranters embraced libertinism while Quakers upheld strict moral discipline
What aspect of worship did both Quakers and Ranters reject?
Institutionalised worship
What distinguishes Quakers in their approach to personal integrity?
Uncompromising personal integrity and plain speech
True or False: Quakers and Ranters both practiced ecstatic religious experiences.
False
What did both Quakers and Diggers embrace?
Egalitarian ideals
What is the core belief of Quaker theology?
The belief in the Inner Light
What does the Inner Light signify in Quaker theology?
Every individual has direct access to God’s presence and guidance
What do Quakers believe is not necessary for accessing God?
Priests, sacraments, or formal religious institutions
Which biblical verse is foundational to the belief in the Inner Light?
John 1:9
Christ is “the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.”
Complete the following: Christ is ‘the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the ______.’
world
What doctrine was profoundly subversive in traditional religious structures?
The doctrine of Quakers
This doctrine challenged clerical authority and hierarchical structures in society.
How did Quakers undermine the need for a state church?
By asserting that divine revelation was immediate and personal
This directly challenged the religious monopoly of the period.
What was particularly threatening about the Quaker rejection of church authority?
It challenged the structured governance of the Puritan establishment
Despite hostility to episcopacy, Puritans maintained structured church governance.
How did Quakers differ from Baptists in their approach to church leadership?
Quakers wholly rejected a formal clergy
Baptists retained some structured leadership despite emphasizing believer’s baptism.
What was the Quaker doctrine’s implication regarding access to divine truth?
All people could access divine truth rather than only the elect
This contrasts with Calvinist ideas of predestination.
What was a strength of the Quaker emphasis on the Inner Light?
It made Quakerism highly personal and flexible
This allowed it to flourish in times of persecution.
What was a weakness of the Quaker emphasis on the Inner Light?
It contributed to internal tensions due to divergent interpretations
The lack of formal doctrine made it difficult to maintain unity.
What did Quakers view external sacraments as?
Unnecessary rituals that distracted from true spiritual communion with God.
This perspective emphasizes a direct relationship with God rather than through rituals.
What was Quakers’ stance on infant baptism?
They refused to practice it, arguing that faith had to be a conscious, personal decision.
This belief aligned them with Baptists but distanced them from mainstream Puritanism.
How did Quakers view communion?
As a purely spiritual experience rather than a physical act.
This rejection was in contrast to the Anglican and Presbyterian views on the Lord’s Supper.
What characterized Quaker meetings?
Silence, waiting for the Holy Spirit to move individuals to speak.
This practice mirrored the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost in Acts 2.
Why was the rejection of formal sermons unsettling to Anglicans and Puritans?
It eliminated the role of ordained ministers as interpreters of God’s will.
This change challenged the traditional structure of worship in these denominations.
What did Quakers believe about divine spontaneity?
It directly opposed the structured, scripture-focused approach of Puritan worship.
This belief emphasized individual inspiration over formal doctrine.
What was the impact of Quakers’ rejection of formal sacraments and liturgy?
It was radical, alienating them from broader Puritan movements and increasing their vulnerability to persecution.
This rejection limited potential alliances with other groups.
What do Quakers believe about violence?
All violence is incompatible with Christian teachings
This belief is rooted in Christ’s Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:39), which commands followers to ‘turn the other cheek.’
Why was military service unacceptable for Quakers?
It involved the taking of life, which only God has the authority to do.
What biblical verse do Quakers cite to justify their refusal to swear oaths?
Matthew 5:34—’Swear not at all.’
What social conventions did Quakers reject?
Gestures of social hierarchy, such as doffing hats in the presence of superiors.
How did Quakers view individuals in terms of spiritual equality?
They believed all individuals to be spiritually equal.
What was the societal interpretation of Quakers’ refusals to conform?
Acts of rebellion, bringing them into conflict with the government and broader society.
How did pacifism distinguish Quakers from other radical sects?
Made them less of a military threat than the Fifth Monarchists but still a political nuisance.
What belief led Quakers to include women in religious leadership?
The belief that the Inner Light was present in all people
This belief is influenced by Galatians 3:28 which states that there is neither male nor female.
Who was Margaret Fell?
A key figure in organizing and spreading Quakerism who later married George Fox
She played a significant role in advocating for women’s voices in the faith.
What was the title of Margaret Fell’s work that argued for women’s speaking rights?
Women’s Speaking Justified (1666)
In this work, she contended that women should not be silenced in matters of faith.
Which biblical figures did Margaret Fell reference to support her argument for women’s roles in faith?
Deborah and Mary Magdalene
Deborah was a prophet and judge of Israel, while Mary Magdalene was the first witness of the Resurrection.
True or False: The idea of women preaching was widely accepted in Quakerism.
False
It was seen as scandalous and threatening to the patriarchal society.
What was the societal perception of women preaching in a patriarchal context?
It was considered unnatural and dangerous
This reinforced the perception of Quakerism as anarchical.
What effect did gender inclusivity have on Quakerism?
It attracted many female followers and contributed to the movement’s long-term survival
This inclusivity provided a broader and more resilient base of support.
Fill in the blank: The inclusion of women in Quakerism was seen as a _______ to the patriarchal society.
threat
This stance intensified opposition to Quaker beliefs.
What made Quakerism a target for persecution?
Their radicalism made them a target for persecution under both the Commonwealth and the Restoration.
What actions led to repeated imprisonments of Quakers?
The refusal to take oaths and the rejection of social deference led to repeated imprisonments.
Who was notably imprisoned among the Quakers?
George Fox himself.
What significant act allowed Quakerism to flourish despite state repression?
The Toleration Act of 1689.
Which principles of Quakerism influenced later movements?
- Religious freedom
- Pacifism
- Social equality
What major social issues were influenced by Quakerism?
- Abolition of slavery
- Civil rights activism
Did Quakerism achieve its vision of a Godly society in the seventeenth century?
No, Quakerism did not achieve its vision of a Godly society in the seventeenth century.
What did the radical theological and social ideas of Quakerism lay the groundwork for?
Broader challenges to religious and political authority in the centuries to come.
