Stuart Masters
@stuartkmasters.bsky.social
Teacher and writer on Quaker and Christian history, theology and spirituality. Author of 'The Quaker Faith: Friends of Love and Truth' (T&T Clark, 2025), and 'The Rule of Christ: Themes in the Theology of James Nayler’ (Brill, 2021).
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Explore the Quaker faith with Stuart Masters | Stuart Masters: Author and Teacher
Explore the Quaker faith with Stuart Masters, who offers learning opportunities that cover the history, theology, and spirituality of Friends, through accessible and engaging teaching, speaking, and w...
www.stuartkmasters.com
This website contains information and resources relating to my writing, teaching, and speaking activities.
www.stuartkmasters.com
www.stuartkmasters.com
God is against you, you covetous cruel oppressors who grind the faces of the poor and needy...
James Nayler – A Discovery of the First Wisdom (1653)
James Nayler – A Discovery of the First Wisdom (1653)
December 26, 2025 at 10:03 AM
God is against you, you covetous cruel oppressors who grind the faces of the poor and needy...
James Nayler – A Discovery of the First Wisdom (1653)
James Nayler – A Discovery of the First Wisdom (1653)
All that dwell in the Light, their habitation is in God, and they know a hiding place in the day of storm; and those who dwell in the Light, are built upon the rock, and cannot be moved...
Edward Burrough (1634-1663)
Edward Burrough (1634-1663)
December 25, 2025 at 5:47 PM
All that dwell in the Light, their habitation is in God, and they know a hiding place in the day of storm; and those who dwell in the Light, are built upon the rock, and cannot be moved...
Edward Burrough (1634-1663)
Edward Burrough (1634-1663)
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near.
Philippians 4:4-5
Philippians 4:4-5
December 24, 2025 at 9:44 AM
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near.
Philippians 4:4-5
Philippians 4:4-5
"Friends of Color have described their struggles and frustrations in trying to get their communities to face up to this history and recognize the continued existence of racism within Quaker culture."
The Quaker Faith: Friends of Love and Truth, p.162.
The Quaker Faith: Friends of Love and Truth, p.162.
December 23, 2025 at 10:17 AM
"Friends of Color have described their struggles and frustrations in trying to get their communities to face up to this history and recognize the continued existence of racism within Quaker culture."
The Quaker Faith: Friends of Love and Truth, p.162.
The Quaker Faith: Friends of Love and Truth, p.162.
Rebellious or Respectable?
At the beginning, Friends were regarded as a highly disruptive presence... However, within a short period of time, they became a peaceable people who, while appearing peculiar, were increasingly wealthy and respectable.
The Quaker Faith: Friends of Love & Truth, p.157.
At the beginning, Friends were regarded as a highly disruptive presence... However, within a short period of time, they became a peaceable people who, while appearing peculiar, were increasingly wealthy and respectable.
The Quaker Faith: Friends of Love & Truth, p.157.
December 22, 2025 at 9:37 AM
Rebellious or Respectable?
At the beginning, Friends were regarded as a highly disruptive presence... However, within a short period of time, they became a peaceable people who, while appearing peculiar, were increasingly wealthy and respectable.
The Quaker Faith: Friends of Love & Truth, p.157.
At the beginning, Friends were regarded as a highly disruptive presence... However, within a short period of time, they became a peaceable people who, while appearing peculiar, were increasingly wealthy and respectable.
The Quaker Faith: Friends of Love & Truth, p.157.
Who will celebrate Christmas correctly? Whoever finally lays down all power, all honor, all reputation, all vanity, all arrogance, all individualism beside the manger.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Dietrich Bonhoeffer
December 22, 2025 at 9:21 AM
Who will celebrate Christmas correctly? Whoever finally lays down all power, all honor, all reputation, all vanity, all arrogance, all individualism beside the manger.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Dietrich Bonhoeffer
"The devil is the author of all war."
Justin Martyr
Justin Martyr
December 21, 2025 at 8:58 AM
"The devil is the author of all war."
Justin Martyr
Justin Martyr
“This is a lovely, historically pluriform and aware book, offering a gentle critique of much ecclesiastical nonsense. A great read.”
Alan Storkey, economist, sociologist and author of, 'Jesus and Politics: Confronting the Powers'
Alan Storkey, economist, sociologist and author of, 'Jesus and Politics: Confronting the Powers'
December 20, 2025 at 12:42 PM
“This is a lovely, historically pluriform and aware book, offering a gentle critique of much ecclesiastical nonsense. A great read.”
Alan Storkey, economist, sociologist and author of, 'Jesus and Politics: Confronting the Powers'
Alan Storkey, economist, sociologist and author of, 'Jesus and Politics: Confronting the Powers'
“…the lower God doth bring me, and the nearer to himself, the more doth this love and tenderness spring and spread towards the poor simple and despised ones... and I bear my testimony against that spirit by which they suffer wherever it is found…”
James Nayler (1660)
James Nayler (1660)
December 20, 2025 at 12:32 PM
“…the lower God doth bring me, and the nearer to himself, the more doth this love and tenderness spring and spread towards the poor simple and despised ones... and I bear my testimony against that spirit by which they suffer wherever it is found…”
James Nayler (1660)
James Nayler (1660)
The early Quaker movement represented a peculiarly universalist understanding of the Christian faith. This...has developed in quite different ways over time, meaning that a rather small group now holds within it a significant diversity of belief and practice.
The Quaker Faith, p.52.
The Quaker Faith, p.52.
December 19, 2025 at 10:16 AM
The early Quaker movement represented a peculiarly universalist understanding of the Christian faith. This...has developed in quite different ways over time, meaning that a rather small group now holds within it a significant diversity of belief and practice.
The Quaker Faith, p.52.
The Quaker Faith, p.52.
No one heals himself by wounding another.
Ambrose of Milan
Ambrose of Milan
December 19, 2025 at 10:03 AM
No one heals himself by wounding another.
Ambrose of Milan
Ambrose of Milan
"Quaker spirituality is focused on nurturing an intimate and transformative inward relationship with God in Spirit. Friends have therefore adopted spiritual practices that help them to cultivate a deepening sense of the divine presence..."
December 18, 2025 at 10:23 AM
"Quaker spirituality is focused on nurturing an intimate and transformative inward relationship with God in Spirit. Friends have therefore adopted spiritual practices that help them to cultivate a deepening sense of the divine presence..."
Christianity preaches the infinite worth of that which seems worthless and the infinite worthlessness of that which is seemingly so valued.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Dietrich Bonhoeffer
December 18, 2025 at 10:13 AM
Christianity preaches the infinite worth of that which seems worthless and the infinite worthlessness of that which is seemingly so valued.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Dietrich Bonhoeffer
"The identification of spiritual gifts is an important part of Quaker discernment. The community has a critical role in identifying, naming and nurturing the spiritual gifts of all its members, and then encouraging them to use these gifts in the service of Friends and the world."
December 17, 2025 at 12:04 PM
"The identification of spiritual gifts is an important part of Quaker discernment. The community has a critical role in identifying, naming and nurturing the spiritual gifts of all its members, and then encouraging them to use these gifts in the service of Friends and the world."
Human existence is so fragile a thing and exposed to such dangers that I cannot love without trembling.
Simone Weil
Simone Weil
December 17, 2025 at 10:08 AM
Human existence is so fragile a thing and exposed to such dangers that I cannot love without trembling.
Simone Weil
Simone Weil
I heard a confused noise in the town, hooting, yelling, and swearing about a bull-baiting; whereat being much troubled in spirit I waited to know the will of God, what he would have me to do; whether I should go and declare against their ungodly practice.
James Nayler (1655)
James Nayler (1655)
December 16, 2025 at 10:50 AM
I heard a confused noise in the town, hooting, yelling, and swearing about a bull-baiting; whereat being much troubled in spirit I waited to know the will of God, what he would have me to do; whether I should go and declare against their ungodly practice.
James Nayler (1655)
James Nayler (1655)
If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even the corrupt do that much. If you are kind to only your friends, how different are you from anyone else?
Luke 6:32
Luke 6:32
December 16, 2025 at 9:53 AM
If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even the corrupt do that much. If you are kind to only your friends, how different are you from anyone else?
Luke 6:32
Luke 6:32
The traditional understanding of unprogrammed Quaker worship.
"Christ the Eternal High Priest is understood to be present among the worshippers and it is he, rather than any human authority, who orders the worship."
The Quaker Faith: Friends of Love and Truth, p.70.
"Christ the Eternal High Priest is understood to be present among the worshippers and it is he, rather than any human authority, who orders the worship."
The Quaker Faith: Friends of Love and Truth, p.70.
December 15, 2025 at 10:13 AM
The traditional understanding of unprogrammed Quaker worship.
"Christ the Eternal High Priest is understood to be present among the worshippers and it is he, rather than any human authority, who orders the worship."
The Quaker Faith: Friends of Love and Truth, p.70.
"Christ the Eternal High Priest is understood to be present among the worshippers and it is he, rather than any human authority, who orders the worship."
The Quaker Faith: Friends of Love and Truth, p.70.
Turn therefore inwards, and all that is within you will demonstrate to you the presence and power of God in your soul, and make you find and feel it with the same certainty as you find and feel your own thoughts.
William Law (1686-1761)
William Law (1686-1761)
December 15, 2025 at 9:52 AM
Turn therefore inwards, and all that is within you will demonstrate to you the presence and power of God in your soul, and make you find and feel it with the same certainty as you find and feel your own thoughts.
William Law (1686-1761)
William Law (1686-1761)
Differences are not intended to separate, to alienate. We are different precisely in order to realize our need for one another.
Archbishop Desmond Tutu
Archbishop Desmond Tutu
December 14, 2025 at 2:11 PM
Differences are not intended to separate, to alienate. We are different precisely in order to realize our need for one another.
Archbishop Desmond Tutu
Archbishop Desmond Tutu
An essential feature of the Quaker way is the conviction that inward divine guidance is available to everyone, and that this guidance should govern people’s lives. Therefore, discernment is an essential safeguard protecting individuals and communities from the dangers of delusion...
December 13, 2025 at 10:48 AM
An essential feature of the Quaker way is the conviction that inward divine guidance is available to everyone, and that this guidance should govern people’s lives. Therefore, discernment is an essential safeguard protecting individuals and communities from the dangers of delusion...
For our soul sits in God in true rest, and our soul stands in God in sure strength, and our soul is naturally rooted in God in endless love.
Julian of Norwich
Julian of Norwich
December 13, 2025 at 10:17 AM
For our soul sits in God in true rest, and our soul stands in God in sure strength, and our soul is naturally rooted in God in endless love.
Julian of Norwich
Julian of Norwich
The earliest Quakers rejected the use of outward liturgies and images, because they believed that such forms tended to distract people from the living presence of God within them. They felt that if God was already present and available, there was no need to focus on mere symbols of this presence.
December 12, 2025 at 10:46 AM
The earliest Quakers rejected the use of outward liturgies and images, because they believed that such forms tended to distract people from the living presence of God within them. They felt that if God was already present and available, there was no need to focus on mere symbols of this presence.
We are not machines. We are not on earth to fulfil the desires of an abusive system via our exhaustion.
Tricia Hersey - Rest is Resistance: A Manifesto
Tricia Hersey - Rest is Resistance: A Manifesto
December 12, 2025 at 9:29 AM
We are not machines. We are not on earth to fulfil the desires of an abusive system via our exhaustion.
Tricia Hersey - Rest is Resistance: A Manifesto
Tricia Hersey - Rest is Resistance: A Manifesto
Christian faith, as I understand it, is...the kind of commitment made manifest by a human being at the end of their tether, foundering in darkness...who nevertheless remains faithful to the promise of a transformative Love.
Terry Eagleton
Terry Eagleton
December 11, 2025 at 10:06 AM
Christian faith, as I understand it, is...the kind of commitment made manifest by a human being at the end of their tether, foundering in darkness...who nevertheless remains faithful to the promise of a transformative Love.
Terry Eagleton
Terry Eagleton