John Lampen

This book is a very informative discussion about the development of the Quaker Testimonies which doesn’t hesitate to discuss how some more unattractive (to modern sensibilities) aspects of Quakerism such as the condemnation of music, art and novels arose. Lampen discusses the contribution of less widely known Quakers such as the doctors Thomas Hodgken and John Lettsom.
I thoroughly recommend this a quick but comprehensive introduction to the development of the Quaker faith and what it has show more achieved in wider society. It is the best introduction to Quakerism I have had the pleasure to read!
Catherine show less

Wonderful, wonderful. I'm not a devoted Christian nor an educated reader of poetry, yet this pamphlet spoke deeply to me about mystic searching and finding, illuminating to me how Christian theology and poetry can help me understand, and feel less lonely in spiritual life.

I reluctantly opened this Pendle Hill Pamphlet. One more Quaker paean to peace at the expense of Spirit, I thought. But John Lampen and his wife Diana lived their talk by moving to Londonderry, Ireland to *work* for peace. The courage they exihibited in moving their children and walking between the Protestants and the Catholics who had been warring for so long was inspiring. Often using Woolman as his guide, Lampen urges like-minding followers to first see what love can do. He does not show more advocate mindless, senseless, bullishness. He does not walk in where Angels fear to tread. But he let his life speak in ways that in turn spoke to both sides of the conflict. Learning to listen to both sides is the first step in helping them to listen to each other. show less

What was Jesus really like? For John Lampen, the conventional portrayals he was introduced to in childhood lacked vitality, so he returned to the records to find for himself a likeness of Jesus, whom he describes as "an extraordinary man who was very different from what I expected." In addition to offering a vivid description of "a man who was intensely alive," John Lampen discusses how he created this portrait by sifting through varied and sometimes contradictory evidence to determine what show more is most likely to be true. Readers who are interested in Jesus as an historical figure, as well as those who follow his teachings, will find much to think about in this portrayal. Discussion questions included. show less