Friend (or rather, ex-Friend) Joshua Ashlyn Humphries, a banished Quaker and Anabaptist prophet/theologian, is dead, at 39. Dead, and it’s a damn shame. A shame for Quakers, Mennonites, and some others. I feel shamed too. But he was not an ex-Friend to me. The official obituary does not say how or where he passed; presumably … Continue reading A Banished Quaker Prophet: Josh Humphries (Updated)
I knew it would happen, and knew I wouldn’t like it, but I did it anyway. The third “it” above was start a Facebook group called “Quakers,” about a month ago, after a previous one abruptly folded up: some internal hassle among the admins had spun out of control. I wasn’t involved in the hassling, … Continue reading Biting the Bullet: Truth and Consequences
Christian churches all over the world are having Christmas services this weekend, and into the coming weeks. It’s a tradition almost two millennia old. But for some churches, it’s a pretty bittersweet occasion. The Friends Church of Midway City, in Orange County California is one such. After 85 years, this Christmas weekend is to be … Continue reading “Merry Christmas. Now, Get Out!” Quaker David & Goliath Update: Goliath Wins
The little church challenging the huge California Quaker megachurch (described in the blog post, David vs. Goliath, the “Friendly” Version, of January 30), won a round in court on January 31; but its reward was only a reprieve. The struggle over an aborted effort to help the homeless continues. Orange County superior court judge Thomas … Continue reading Midway City Update: Quaker David, Goliath & the Two Witnesses
Wit and erudition also came together in his New Testament courses. Cadbury was greatly admired by many students for his careful exposition of various approaches to analysis of New Testament texts, particularly the Gospels, and his care to avoid inserting his own views, so students were free to develop their own.
Or rather, this was admired by many. Yet some, among the more theologically orthodox, expected him not only to teach the Gospels, but also to “bear witness” to his belief in them, especially the key passages involving Jesus.
Thus the story is told that toward the end of a semester, one such student raised his hand, and then confronted Cadbury. As I recall, he said, “Professor, you have talked a lot about the crucifixion and the resurrection in the Gospel texts, but we have no idea what you believe about this. So, let’s have it: Yes or No, do you believe in the physical resurrection of Jesus?”
Cadbury pondered the query with a sober mien, removed and polished his spectacles, carefully replaced them, and said: