May 4, 2026 is the 56th anniversary of the killings of four Kent State University students by Ohio National Guard troops during an anti-Vietnam war protest. Several years ago, on a balmy spring Sunday, I was able to visit & pay respects at Kent State, not far from Cleveland, with my good friend Henry Bloom, … Continue reading Kent State – May 4, 1970: Part One
April 30, 2026, was Annie Dillard’s birthday. I meant to re-post this piece about her last week, but, as so often, got distracted. No matter. She and her work are just as notable today. Among the many eminent authors who interest me, she might be the one I would most like to be email & … Continue reading Annie Dillard’s Birthday: Renegade Writer & Creekside Theologian
Doug Gwyn has been a frequent contributor to Quaker Theology. Our readers have known him as a theological historian, who has written in depth about early Friends, as well as recent American Quakers. Of the books, I’d pick as his masterwork, Personality and Place (our review is here), which he calls a theological history of … Continue reading Doug Gwyn: Theologian and — Quaker Theological Folksinger ? Yes! (UPDATED)
In a time of all-encompassing catastrophe, bad news comes at us from all directions. But insight can come from anywhere as well. There’s much of this in an editorial in the April 17-30 issue of the liberal Catholic paper, the National Catholic Reporter, (NCR) entitled “Catholics and Trump, a reckoning.” I believe it calls for … Continue reading A Catholic Reckoning? How about an Evangelical Quaker Reckoning?
In late January, a post here described the struggle between the Evangelical Friends Church Southwest (EFCSW) and the small Friends Community Church of Midway City, in Orange County near Los Angeles. EFCSW’s Board of Elders decided to close the Midway City church, and fire its pastor, Joe Pfeiffer. The Elders acted after several homeless people … Continue reading Quaker David & Goliath, Cont.: Now David Makes his Case