Our Life Is Love: The Quaker Spiritual Journey

by Marcelle Martin

Our Life is Love describes the transformational spiritual journey of the first Quakers, who turned to the Light of Christ within and allowed it to be their guide. Many Friends today use different language, but are still called to make the same journey. In our time people seeking deeper access to the profound teachings of Christianity want more than just beliefs, they want direct experience. Focusing on ten elements of the spiritual journey, this book is a guide to a Spirit-filled life that affects this world. Quakers in the seventeenth century and today provide examples of people and communities living in the midst of the world whose radical understanding of Christ's teachings led them to become powerful agents of social change. The book offers a simple, clear explanation of the spiritual journey that is suitable not only for Quakers, but for all Christians, and for seekers wanting to better understand our spiritual experience and the fullness of God's call to us. The book would make an excellent focus for study groups. Marcelle Martin has led workshops at retreat centers and Quaker meetings across the United States. She served for four years as the resident Quaker Studies teacher at Pendle Hill and was a core teacher in the School of the Spirit program, The Way of Ministry. She is the author of the Pendle Hill pamphlets Invitation to a Deeper Communion and Holding One Another in the Light. In 2013 she was the Mullen Writing Fellow at Earlham School of Religion while working on this book.

Genres: Spirituality, Religion

240 pages, Paperback

Published February 19, 2016

Reviews

[Drick · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an interesting overview of Quaker spirituality drawing both the sources of the first Quakers as well as the experiences of contemporary Quakers. At times the stories became too much (one or two would do) but the intent was good and stimulated deeper thought. Martin is clearly a Christian Quaker whereas many of the Quakers I have met on the East Coast seem to be more ecumenical in their thought and thinking about spirituality. That was part of the confusion for me(even though the author spent several years at Pendle Hill the Quaker retreat center outside Philadelphia). It is not that one is better than the author but as a Mennonite Christian trying to understand Quaker thought, my experience with Quakers as been more eclectic and less "evangelical" as presented in this book

[Gloria Denoon · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book, Our Life is Love, provides a classic Christian approach to Quakerism. The author did a good job in describing early Quakers and how they were transformed and motivated by that first-hand experience of living Christ within.

The author has done a diligent job in including a good amount of literature.

Overall, the book describes all the goodness of Quaker faith and community in an almost “fantasy” manner.

I was disappointed that how diverse types of Quakerism throughout the history and around the world were not elaborated In this book. Missing this reality is problematic. For instance, not all the Quakers believe in the notion of an anthropomorphic god. As Pink Dadelion correctly points out, Quakers have adopted a liberal approach to “belief content.”

Also, I felt that her description about Quaker process was plain vanilla and did not match the reality. Love is NOT enough, in my view. What we need is more intellectual engagement. As Kennth Boulding points out, we need to figure out how to incorporate our knowledge into our religious faith. There is a big difference between lying and erring. Being kind and loving is not enough, we need to be knowledgeable, consider facts, and master new skills.

The author might have given a good description of Friends’ spiritual journey so far in history or at the present time, but we need to be more objective about Quakers’ contribution and be more creative if we want this religion to thrive in the future world.

[Chel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a book to read slowly, discuss with others, and come back to. I hope it has a long, slow shelf life. -- I would describe it a bit differently than the blurb here, which emphasizes the part about early Friends. About half the book is excerpts from early Quaker writings, but each of the ten aspects of a spiritual journey has a section from early Quakerism and a section from modern Quaker writings. If readers skipped all the early Quaker passages, much would be lost, but what remains would still be very worthwhile.

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

A deeply nourishing book. Marcelle Martin has written an inspiring description of the Quaker spiritual journey, rooted in the best of the Quaker tradition. I found my own faith renewed with every chapter. This book cries out to be read slowly, journaled about, and discussed in a group. An excellent resource for Quakers at any stage of their journey, not just those starting out.

[Neil Saltmarsh · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am really glad that I read this book. I greatly admire the Quaker history and their stoicism in the face of persecution. The contrasts between practices now and early on give a contrast to not only the times but also how Quakers have changed. I make it no secret, that I have great concerns with the modern liberal Quaker theology that has renounced the centrality of Jesus Christ. In Australia, this is the only form of Quaker environment available which is a disappointment to me as I would very much have liked to have been a Quaker. Anyway, I am able to indulge in Christian meditation which is very rich. The book is finely written with great knowledge and love. I can highly recommend this book if you are interested in Quaker practices and history and with today's experiences.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love, love, love this book about love. It's inspirational and enjoyable and wonderful.
I know I'll turn to this book again and again.

[Tony Carey · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful book with so much to contemplate that I will have to read it again

[Rhiannon Grant · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clearly structured exploration of stages in the Quaker spiritual journey, with a wide range of seventeenth century and modern examples.