An investigation into the possible transfer of theology and practice from continental Anabaptists to the first Quakers

[摘要] This thesis explores the hypothesis that, in view of some similarities in theology and practice, early Quakers, or proto-Quakers had knowledge of, or direct contact with continental Anabaptists prior to their first documented visit to the Netherlands in 1655. The five main findings of this research are: there is no evidence of contact between proto- Quakers and continental Anabaptists before 1655; there is evidence of much contact between early Quakers and English Baptist congregations in England, but uncertainty exists as to the theology of those Baptist groups; there is no evidence that the first Quaker visitors to the Netherlands had any prior knowledge of Dutch Anabaptist groups; alleged similarities between the writings of the Quaker leader George Fox and Jacob Böhme are coincidental; and it is likely that Fox’s ‘Uncle Pickering’ was not a General Baptist as had previously been proposed. Subsidiary findings of this research are: there is no evidence that Fox’s mother was ‘of the stock of the martyrs’; Margaret Fell was not related to the Maryan martyr Anne Askew; Fox did positively acquire some of his theology from his parish priest Nathanial Stephens; ‘Priest Boys’ was either William Boys, perpetual curate at Goathland, or Roger or Thomas Boys of Lockton.

[发布机构] University:University of Birmingham;Department:School of Philosophy, Theology and Religion, Department of Theology and Religion

[关键词] B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion;BL Religion