The True Christian’s Faith and Experience #001; Preface #01 pp. 01-08 Artwork

Ohio Yearly Meeting's Podcast

This is a podcast of Ohio Yearly Meeting. We are a collection of Conservative Quaker Meetings based primarily in Ohio. By conservative, we do not mean politically conservative. Conservative Friends are known for their commitment to conserve the Original message of the first generation of Quakers. These Quakers, in turn, saw their movement as a revival of primitive Christianity. We hope the installments of our podcasts will present the understandings of Conservative Quakerism.

So, if thee is interested in learning the differences between Conservative Quakers and other Quakers, or would like to understand differences between Quakers and other Christians, thee may well be at the right place. On the other hand, the Conservative Quaker perspective is so strikingly unique in contemporary society, that it will be a balm to many seeking spiritual fulfillment. To assist these seekers is the true intent of publishing our podcast.

A good many of the podcast installments will be presented by Henry Jason. Henry is knowledgeable in the Greek of the New Testament and has a fascinating way of tying the meaning of the original words with the writings of early Friends. Listening to him provides a refreshing view of scripture and is an excellent way to learn about original Quaker theology. Henry's podcasts are usually bible classes and so they are often interspersed with discussions, questions and insightful comments by his students.

The music in our podcasts is from Paulette Meier's CDs: Timeless Quaker Wisdom in Plainsong and Wellsprings of Life available at paulettemeier.com.

Find out more about Ohio Yearly Meeting at ohioyearlymeeting.org.

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Ohio Yearly Meeting's Podcast

The True Christian’s Faith and Experience #001; Preface #01 pp. 01-08

October 17, 2022 • Henry Jason

Starting with this episode we begin a new series.

How closely do our lives mirror the life of Christ? Are we true Christians, or are our lives pale, hypocritical imitations of Christ Jesus, so that we are Christians in name only? William Shewen (1631?-1695), a first generation Friend, in his 1675 work, The True Christian’s Faith and Experience called out and challenged all who called themselves “Christian” to examine their lives to discover whether they (we) are truly living and acting in the light of Christ Jesus. If we find ourselves lacking here and are Christians in name only, we must abandon this hypocrisy which so subtly clouds our lives. This work was written during a time when most if not all Quakers experienced severe persecution at the hands of people who called themselves “Christian”.

In his first preface, Shewen mentions some of his spiritual journey as a former “Christian” in name only who did and said all the “right” things as expected of him. His heart, spirit, and life were not that of a true Christian. Shewen encourages all to abandon the deception where light is called darkness and darkness is called light, and to instead seek and follow the genuine light of Christ to become true Christians.

Shewen's book and other works are available in Educational Media library of Ohio Yearly Meeting's website. The Quote in our introduction can be found on page 77 of the version published there.

A complete list of our podcasts, organized into topics, is available on our website.

To learn more about Ohio Yearly Meeting (Conservative) of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers), please visit ohioyearlymeeting.org.

Any who might be interested in joining any of the Ohio Yearly Meeting Zoom online studies should check out the Online Study and Discussion Groups on our website. All are welcome!

We welcome feedback on this and any of our other podcast episodes. Contact us through our website, or email us at OYMConservative@gmail.com.