Timothy Tarkelly, Author at The Living Church https://livingchurch.org/author/timothytarkelly/ Thu, 16 May 2024 20:30:12 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.6.2 https://livingchurch.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/cropped-TLC_lamb-logo_min-1.png Timothy Tarkelly, Author at The Living Church https://livingchurch.org/author/timothytarkelly/ 32 32 George Fox, Episcopal Saint https://livingchurch.org/covenant/george-fox-episcopal-saint/ https://livingchurch.org/covenant/george-fox-episcopal-saint/#respond Thu, 21 Mar 2024 05:59:03 +0000 https://livingchurch.org/uncategorized/george-fox-episcopal-saint/ In a recent conversation, a Roman Catholic student of mine asked: “Do Episcopalians have saints?”

Well, yes, we do. In the Apostles’ Creed, we proclaim a belief in the “communion of saints,” otherwise described as “the whole family of God, the living and the dead, those whom we love and those whom we hurt, bound together in Christ by sacraments, prayer, and praise” (BCP 862). We are linked to all Christians, both past and present.

In Catholicism, as well as in some Anglican circles, the notion of saints can also imply invocation and intercessory prayer. The Vatican has a complex process to determine sainthood, often involving evidence of miracles or some other evidence of assurance that the individual attained salvation. It is important to remember that these requirements do not denote magical abilities or “greatness,” but rather are evidence of the saint’s salvation and place in heaven. In fact, it could be argued that some saints attained their status by finding opportunities for holiness while living ordinary lives (like St. Thérèse of Lisieux and her parents).

The Episcopal Church has a different set of criteria, and ultimately a different purpose in the celebration of saints. If you compare church calendars, you will see some similarities: the Apostles, several Doctors of the church, and others. However, you will notice many names that would never earn recognition from the Vatican, particularly Protestant reformers and martyrs.

There are some saints recognized by the Episcopal Church that may seem surprising even to Episcopalians. Three in particular stand out to me: George Fox, founder of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers), Pope John XXIII, a 20th-century bishop of Rome, and John Calvin, the Protestant theologian. While today’s Episcopal Church has a much more lenient approach to theology, these three men devoted their lives to ideals that stood in direct opposition to the church’s teachings of their day. In fact, I wonder if at least a couple of them would balk at the idea of being placed on our church calendar. Still, they were placed there for a reason. Their ideas shaped modern Christian thought, and they set an example for the modern Christian to emulate. I hope to consider them each in turn, beginning with the founder of the Friends.

George Fox was a preacher and reformer in England during the 1600s. He essentially founded the Religious Society of Friends. Any effort to summarize the whole of Quaker theology and history is certain to fail. However, Quakers were known in Fox’s day for their adherence to simplicity, their rejection of the sacraments, their radical pacifism, and their devotion to silent worship.

Fox advocated for an extreme rejection of liturgy and ceremony. While this may seem over the top now, this was at a time when people were legally compelled to attend their local parish, and rules about worship were very rigid. Even within Quaker circles, to interrupt a meeting was punishable by imprisonment. In fact, Fox was imprisoned when he interrupted a meeting to accuse a speaker of making an error in his interpretation of the Bible. Fox’s movement also came after a long civil war fueled by religious differences. Seeing how man and his own interpretation of the Bible and church tradition could send people astray, Fox sought a more genuine and personal faith. Perhaps he didn’t need to shirk the sacraments to do so, but the impulse is understandable.

Fox felt that worship had been reduced to symbolism and routine for their own sake, and that Christians were missing a genuine connection with the Holy Spirit. He wanted to cultivate this through silent worship. In their meetinghouses, Fox and his followers would sit in silence until one felt moved by the Spirit. Only then would someone stand to speak, ostensibly sharing a message that was divinely intended.

Friends are also known for their simplicity and desire for peace. Modern Quakers often tout a unifying ideology captured by the acronym SPICES (Simplicity, Peace, Integrity, Community, Equality, and Stewardship). I hope not too many of us would balk at any of these ideals. Not unlike any other religious denomination, Friends have had numerous debates over how to interpret these principles, and you would be hard-pressed to find any two Friends who agree on all points of theology — sound familiar?

Still, Fox and the Religious Society of Friends have a lot to teach us. Fox shows us the importance of genuine faith. When we share Communion and when we pray, we should always seek a holistic and sincere connection with God. We shouldn’t treat the rites as a means to an end, and we shouldn’t treat ceremony as an obligation. Maybe, we could all add silent meditation to our prayer life. Like the prophet Elijah, we can listen for God’s voice in the whisper that follows the torrent of daily life.

Furthermore, we should prioritize peacemaking in both private and public life. God calls us to be instruments of peace, forgiveness, and reconciliation. Jesus commands us to turn the other cheek and to pray for our enemies.

On the night before he was to be crucified, Jesus was praying at Gethsemane. The High Priest of the temple came with soldiers to arrest him. Peter attacked the High Priest’s slave, cutting off his ear. Jesus told Peter to sheathe his sword, and then he healed the slave’s ear (John 18:1-11). In doing so, Jesus healed both the victim’s wounds and Peter’s violent heart. There is no mistake about it; Jesus Christ’s message is one of peace and healing. This kind of dedication to peace is difficult. It is inhuman, but it is attainable through Christ, and Fox was clear that peace should be an intentional and essential component of Christian living.

Short summaries and generalizations aside, some writings and letters of George Fox remain and should be read. If you want to learn more about Quaker history, Mary Penington and William Penn (founder of Pennsylvania) may be good places to start. If you are interested in learning about Quakers in the modern world, Quaker Speak and Friends Journal are excellent resources.

Timothy Tarkelly is a poet, teacher, and debate coach in Southeast Kansas. He’s authored several books including On Slip Rigs and Spiritual Growth (OAC Books) and A Horse Called Victory (Kelsay Books).

]]>
https://livingchurch.org/covenant/george-fox-episcopal-saint/feed/ 0