By: K. B. Napier
Some readers will say "What a stupid question! Of course Quakers are Christians!" Almost all Believers will say this. But is it true? To put it bluntly, it does not really matter what your opinion is on the issue. Come to that, it does not matter whatmy opinion is, either! In fact, the same principle applies to all Biblically-based truths. What matters is WHAT GOD SAYS IN HIS WORD. God's Word is declared with authority. It is never offered as a possible answer, but as THE answer. And this is the way we must always approach the question of whether or not somebody (or a group) is Christian. In other words, what God says is law. If we say something different to that law, then what we think is irrelevant, if not sinful.
With that in mind...are Quakers Christians? If they are not, then Quakerism is a cult and Quakers are cult members. Quakers are usually represented on major Christian committees, but that is no guarantee of their Christian status. In this Outline paper, we will show that mainstream Quakerism is not Christian, but is a cult. (There are other forms of Quakerism, which claim to be Christian and which would disassociate themselves from mainstream Quakers. They would also not accept the doubts expressed in this paper).
The founder of Quakerism, George Fox, did not set out to call his followers 'Quakers'. His concern was with the falsity and stagnation within the churches of his day. So he travelled Britain warning people of their spiritual danger. A problem arises because we cannot be all that sure about his personal salvation or about his real motives. For example, in his own writings he refers to the 'light (of God) in every man'...but does not appear to differentiate the saved and the unsaved. When he talks about being saved and unsaved, it seems he is saying that to be saved is more or less a matter of not doing bad things. At other times, he appears to talk in orthodox gospel terms. The confusion may just be in the way the writer of this Outline interprets the work of Fox...but a similar confusion of ideas seems to run throughout Fox's writings. There are other problems with what Fox does and says, too, and I am not the only writer to see them.
Today, there are several different types of Quakerism, which could easily be called 'denominations'. One even refers to itself as being 'evangelical'...but the official U.K. form of Quakerism is a cult from top to toe! Why say this? Just a brief examination of its basic beliefs should be sufficient to convince the reader...
In official Quakerism, few Quakers believe in the need for Biblical-salvation. This is because few of them accept the reality of Satan, or of sin. Obviously, if there is no sin, there is no need for salvation! To many Quakers, 'sin' is merely a vestigial remain within a man which can be removed by doing good. Satan is said to be a figment of the imagination and Jesus Christ is said to have been just a very good man.
With this as a basis, there is no need to repent either! If we do not sin, then what is there to repent of? As for the Bible, well, individual Quakers may take it or leave it. However, some Quakers may, if they wish, read certain texts at their meetings, just for 'inspiration'. The Bible is viewed as just one of many books of inspiration. Any 'uplifting' piece of literature will do - even that of a pagan Roman emperor known for his savagery against early Christians!
Modern Quakers specialise in doing good works and encouraging peace initiatives. This they see as of vital importance. Many are archetypal New Agers for they mix their good works/peace ideas with ancient Eastern beliefs and all kinds of esoteric/occult teachings. (Note: 'Many' not 'all'!).
Those who call themselves 'evangelical Quakers' complain when they are referred to as 'cult members'. But this is a problem of their own making. Even if they are real Believers, they have no business being amongst those who are predominantly unbelievers. The Bible clearly tells us that we are to mark those who pretend to be of God but who, by their actions and words, defy Him. We are told that we must separate from them immediately and must then shun them. The reason for this is that their beliefs and teachings are 'works of darkness' and are of Satan and they can corrupt the best of men.
Thus, for a saved person to be a part of Quakerism (or any other cult) which, by definition, is predominantly evil, is to oppose God's commands. There is no reason whatever for a Believer to be known by any other names than those found in scripture eg 'Believer' or 'Christian'...for any other title is superfluous. Indeed, to be called by the title 'Quaker' is to indicate one's real loyalty - a loyalty to a man-made organisation and not to the authentic relationship between a person and God which has been effected through the salvation given by Jesus Christ.
In a very real sense, then, the movement/denomination of 'Quakerism' is a foe of the Gospel and of Jesus Christ. Do not be misled by its outward show of goodness. As for genuine Believers in the Quaker camp - they must come out from it! There is no alternative for a Believer.
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