This is the first comprehensive introduction to Quakerism which balances ahistory of the theology of the Quakers or Friends with an overview of presentday pract... » 

This is the first comprehensive introduction to Quakerism which balances ahistory of the theology of the Quakers or Friends with an overview of presentday practice. It charts the growth of the Quaker movement through the 1650s and1660s its different theological emphasis in the eighteenth century and theschisms of the nineteenth century which resulted in the range of Quakertraditions found around the world today. The book focuses in particular onnotions of endtime spiritual intimacy and what counts as the world askey areas of theological change. The second half of the book uses extracts fromQuaker texts to highlight differences in belief and approach between thedifferent traditions and analyses their future prospects. The book isgenerously illustrated and includes numerous diagrams to help the reader.Undergraduate and graduate students will find this an essential introduction tothe Quaker movement. «