The last forty years has witnessed a 'golden age' of Quaker Studies scholarship, with the bulk of this work into the history and sociology of Quakerism being undertaken by scholars who are also Quakers. For the scholars involved, their Quakerism has both prompted their research interests and affected their lives as Quakers. This book presents a unique study into Quakerism: it draws together the key theories of Quaker origins, subsequent history, and contemporary sociology, into a single volume; and it allows each of the contributors the opportunity to reflect on what led to the initial choice of research topic, and how their findings have in turn affected their Quaker lives. The result is a unique contribution to Quaker theory as well to the discussion on insider/outsider research. This book is invaluable to anyone interested in Quakerism, research into religion, notions of outsider objectivity within academia, and areas of theology, religious history and sociology in general.

Contents: Foreword, Arthur O. Roberts; Introduction; Part I Quaker Historiography: George Fox and the politics of late 19th century Quaker historiography, Thomas D. Hamm; Sixty years in early Quaker history, Hugh Barbour; The end of (Quaker) history? Some reflections on the process, John Punshon. Part II Theories of Early Quakerism: Commentary; The inevitability of Quaker success?, Rosemary Moore; Was 17th-century Quaker Christology homogeneous?, Richard G. Bailey; 'Go north!' The journey towards first-generation friends and their prophecy of celestial flesh, Michele Lise Tarter; George Fox and Christian gnosis, Glen D. Reynolds; Part III Early friends and beyond: Commentary; Apocalypse now and then: reading early friends in the belly of the beast, Douglas Gwyn; Holiness: the Quaker way of perfection, Carole D. Spencer; Theoretical reflections of a skeptic about theory, Thomas D. Hamm; Some reflections on an ecumenical pilgrimage, Martin Davie; Taming anarchy: Quaker alternate ordering and 'otherness', Gay Pilgrim. Conclusion: the nature of Quaker studies; References; Index.