Evangelical: full divinity and incarnation; liberal: spiritual teacher
Christology divides along the evangelical-liberal spectrum within Quakerism. Evangelical Quakers affirm the full divinity of Jesus Christ, his incarnation as the Son of God, and his eternal nature. The Richmond Declaration explicitly affirms that Christ is 'the Saviour of the world' and 'the Lord and Master of His people.' For evangelical Quakers, the Inner Light often refers to the living Christ present in believers' hearts.
Liberal Quakers, particularly in Britain, often regard Jesus as a supremely enlightened spiritual teacher whose life and teaching reveal the divine nature, but may not affirm metaphysical claims about his divinity or incarnation. Some view Jesus as the exemplar of human potential and divine connection rather than as the unique God-man. This variance reflects Quakerism's openness to individual spiritual conviction rather than institutional creedalism.
Key Distinctions
- Natures formula:
- two natures broadly affirmed; Inner Light of Christ present in all; formulas de-emphasized
- Conciliar affiliation:
- no binding creed; Chalcedonian consensus broadly shared in most branches
Scripture References
Sources
- Richmond Declaration of Faith (1887)
- Religious Society of Friends Testimonies
- London Yearly Meeting epistles
- Quaker Faith & Practice