Douglas V. Steere (1901–1995)

In this very interesting and still relevant pamphlet, Steere explores the promise of what he called the new ecumenism of the encounter of the great world religions. He saw it as a challenging gift of God, and that Quakers have a unique task in the process. The challenge is to embrace and not erase the very special spiritual witness of the various religious groups, so that the fresh, unique witness of each group may be kept. They mutually irradiate, and neither undermine nor get undermined by show more each other; they each flourish more from their contact and appreciation. He called this functional ecumenism, to ask continually: What is the Holy Spirit saying to me, as a person in my religious tradition, in the witness of these other religions?
Steere's understanding of ecumenism and the relations among different religions can contribute helpfully to Quaker (and anybody's) discernment of who Quakers are and can be in the world's religious spectrum. His view is neither Christian exclusivism nor universalist exclusivism. Steere, a scholar of Quakerism and religion, has studied Hinduism, Buddhism, and Islam, finding that they each provided a new level of understanding to the Christian life of the Spirit. This rich "irradiation" of his own Quaker Christian tradition was repeated with his experience with Roman Catholicism as an observer at the Vatican Council II, and with interreligious colloquia that he himself organized.
This pamphlet, which is Steere's English version of the 1968 Richard Cary Lecture for German Yearly Meeting, is remarkably articulate about subtle motivations and distinctions. It derives from his own experiences, but is completely relevant to current questions. show less

This is an illuminating and deep discussion of what it means to be present, fully present, to another person, to God, and to people across social barriers of various kinds. To be present is to be open, to listen, to be involved and to care. The consequence of this vital contact is to learn and to change, to transform and to be transformed.
In a particularly valuable and challenging section, Steere discusses at some length how people of different faiths have long ignored each other (and show more worse), and what it would mean for them to become present to each other. He insists that to engage in such presence across faiths does not mean to weaken one's own faith, but as we open, we irradiate and enrich each other. This is an awareness that Friends pride themselves on, but our too frequent blind spots become apparent. His comments on the lack of presence across racial barriers are also illuminating to apply to current racism. show less

This pamphlet rambles through a series of insights into the inward spiritual journey and how it is connected to our outward journey through life. It is full of quotes and anecdotes, some relevant and some not. The points require sustained concentration to pick out; the import is that the inward journey to compassion, awareness, and the true Self is lifelong, takes persistent renewal of intent and effort, and some hard choices and willingness to change as well. It is a journey to a tender show more heart,enjoyment of communion with God, and a real sense of living in unity, in the Providence of God. While the writing meanders around so much that it requires a determined reader to extract the value, what he has to say is wonderful, and the tone is sweet. It can be a helpful guide for both those setting out and those renewing themselves along the Journey. show less

This is a pamphlet of reflections on Steere's personal spiritual journey; it is interesting, wise, profound, and very sweet. He tells us that he had no visions or dramatic mystical experiences, but he did experience guidance, leadings, and holy nudges, Christ's indwelling spirit, and gathered meetings. He experienced a continuous conversion throughout his life, an inward tendering. He offers valuable observations on prayer and worship.