'The government of Christ': John Woolman's (1720-1772) apocalyptic theology

B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BT Doctrinal Theology

Kershner, Jonathan Ryan ; Dandelion, Pink,Newman, Edwina

University:University of Birmingham

Department:School of Philosophy, Theology and Religion, Department of Theology and Religion

关键词: B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion;    BT Doctrinal Theology;   

Others  :  http://etheses.bham.ac.uk//id/eprint/4640/1/Kershner13PhD.pdf

来源: University of Birmingham eTheses Repository

【 摘 要 】

Previous approaches to colonial New Jersey Quaker tailor, John Woolman (1720-1772), have failed to address the centrality of theology to his social reforms. This thesis comprises an original contribution to Woolman studies and 18th century Quaker theology through a demonstration of a heretofore unrecognised apocalyptic theology which encompassed a practical and comprehensive vision of God's kingdom on earth. Based on an analysis of Woolman's entire body of writing, this thesis argues that Woolman's theology is best understood as apocalyptic because it was centred on a vision of Christ's immediate presence governing all aspects of human affairs. Woolman's apocalypticism is analysed around three main theological themes: divine revelation, propheticism and eschatology. These themes are evident in Woolman's belief that, 1) God intervened in world affairs to reveal God's will for humanity on earth in a way unavailable to the senses and natural faculties; 2) God's will made claims on society and God commissioned human agents to confront apostasy and be God's spokespeople; and, 3) the faithful embodied the kingdom and pointed to the transformation of all things to establish the 'government of Christ'.