In the third and final part of this series I want to look at some early Quaker beliefs and behaviour as well as briefly discussing the importance of writing to the Quakers, before offering some concluding thoughts.
Hi Andrew, the point about Spinoza is very important, and I think perceptive. You may be aware that in the mid-1980s Richard Popkin wrote about Spinoza's relationship with the Quakers in Amsterdam. He argued that a Hebrew translation of a pamphlet by Margaret Fell was done by Spinoza. Certainly, it's long been known that in April 1657 a correspondent from Utrecht wrote to Fell about 'a Jew at Amsterdam that by the Jews is cast out (as he himself and others sayeth) because he owneth no other teacher but the light ...' Moreover, Samuel Fisher (who I discuss in this post) did go to Amsterdam where he disputed with some of the Jewish community.
For reference, Popkin's article is 'Spinoza's relations with the Quakers in Amsterdam', Quaker History, 73 (1984), pp. 14-28
Hi Andrew, the point about Spinoza is very important, and I think perceptive. You may be aware that in the mid-1980s Richard Popkin wrote about Spinoza's relationship with the Quakers in Amsterdam. He argued that a Hebrew translation of a pamphlet by Margaret Fell was done by Spinoza. Certainly, it's long been known that in April 1657 a correspondent from Utrecht wrote to Fell about 'a Jew at Amsterdam that by the Jews is cast out (as he himself and others sayeth) because he owneth no other teacher but the light ...' Moreover, Samuel Fisher (who I discuss in this post) did go to Amsterdam where he disputed with some of the Jewish community.
For reference, Popkin's article is 'Spinoza's relations with the Quakers in Amsterdam', Quaker History, 73 (1984), pp. 14-28