FAITH OF FRIENDS OF NORTHERN YEARLY MEETING
Approved at Yearly Meeting session, May 2005

“We hope we shall never finish considering our fundamental beliefs…”
–QUESTIONS & COUNSEL, Yearly Meeting of Aotearoa/New Zealand. 1991

“Friends find their essential unity in their profound and exhilarating belief
in the pervasive presence of God and in the continuing responsibility of each person and worshipping group to seek the leading of the Spirit in all things. Obedience to the leading of that Spirit rather than to any written statement of belief or conduct is the obligation of their faith.” Faith and Practice of New England Yearly Meeting 1985, p 205

While professing no creeds, we have strongly held beliefs for which Friends both past and present have suffered, gone to jail, and even died. While acknowledging the diversity of expression among Northern Yearly Meeting Friends we affirm the following common basis of faith.

We believe that within each person there is the Divine Spirit. We refer to this “true light that enlightens every one coming into the world” (John 1:9) by different names: the Light Within, the Inward Christ, “that of God”, the Seed, the Inward Teacher, the Holy Spirit, the Divine Companion, the Word, a Higher Power, and other names. John Woolman in the 1700’s stated this fundamental belief:

There is a principle which is pure, placed in the human mind, which in different places and ages hath different names; it is, however, pure and proceeds from God. It is deep and inward, confined to no forms of religion nor excluded from any, where the heart stands in perfect sincerity. (1)

Quakerism grew within Christianity, and many of the terms reflect that. However, throughout our history, Quakers, in giving testimony to their experience, used a variety of other rich and descriptive religious languages, which many today find meaningful, freeing, and more inclusive.

The expectation or the possibility that one may have a direct experience of the Divine remains a central testimony of Friends today. The Light within is available to us all and we seek to be attentive to it and to align ourselves with God’s direction. Divine leadings guide our worship, our corporate business, and our personal lives. Thus, Divine revelation continues. We state with George Fox that “the Lord God is at work in this thick night.” (2)

An inherent danger in claiming a direct experience with the Divine is misinterpretation of that experience or leading resulting in inappropriate action. This can be minimized by testing leadings against Scripture, Friends testimonies, and our Friends community.

Individual and collective worship is waiting upon and listening for the voice of God. This practice is central to discerning Divine leading. Our corporate worship can be unprogrammed, semi-programmed or programmed. Whatever the form, we state with John Woolman that we worship “to distinguish the language of the pure Spirit which inwardly moves upon the heart.” (3)

Some Friends believe in this inner power which may be called love; yet do not identify the source of this power and love as being from an external Higher Power or God. These Friends share the belief that each person has worth and is precious and agree that everyone should be treated with dignity, mutual respect, and love.

We believe that all life is sacred; that all people are children of God who can be baptized by the Holy Spirit; and that every meal has the potential to become a sacred means of receiving God’s grace. We choose to emphasize the spiritual meaning of practices such as baptism and communion rather than the use of the outward forms. We understand communion to be those times when we truly experience the Divine presence. We believe communion can be experienced at any time, alone or with others, not only during worship.

Early Friends knew the Bible well and quoted it often. The Jewish and Christian writings of the Bible are still a rich source of inspiration, but not the only source of Divine inspiration.

As Robert Barclay said:

The Scriptures …are not to be considered the principal foundation of all truth and knowledge…We truly know them only by the inward testimony of the Spirit…the Spirit is the primary and principle rule of faith. (4)

Modern Bible scholarship and being open to the Spirit can help us understand the Scriptures in new ways. Many Friends find inspiration in the sacred writings and meditative practices of other faith traditions, and some secular writings.

Friends believe we must lead our lives in congruence with our faith. Our inward experience of the living God comes through personal and collective worship, prayer, the Scriptures, other devotional readings and by other means. This brings spiritual growth, which in turn leads to the expression of the Divine leadings in our lives. We seek the wholeness that results from spirit-filled lives. These Divine leadings have throughout our history led Quakers to repeated and consistent actions, which have come to be known as testimonies. Some of these testimonies are equality, peace, community, simplicity and integrity.

Early Friends lived transformed lives which shook the unjust social and economic structure of their day. In like manner, let modern Friends seek to heed the voice of God to meet the immense challenges of our day.

Queries:

For the meeting:

1. How does the meeting help lead members, attenders and our children to an understanding of Friends Beliefs?
2. How do the testimonies shape the life of your meeting?
3. How does your meeting respond to differences in beliefs?

For individuals:

1. How do you apply spiritual discernment in your life?
2. As you seek the Divine will, how are you open to finding it?
3. How do you rely on the Divine for the strength to follow leadings?
4. How do you make space in your life for reflection and meditation?

Notes concerning quotations:

1. John Woolman, The Journal and Major Essays of John Woolman, ed. Phillips P. Moulton, Friends United Press. Richmond, Indiana, 1971, p. 236.
2. George Fox Epistle 227
3. John Woolman Ibid. p. 31
4. Robert Barclay, “Inspiration” (Proposition 3, The Scriptures), Barclay’s Apology in Modern English, ed. Dean Freiday, Friends Book store, Philadelphia, p 46