John Woolman and the Government of Christ

A Colonial Quaker's Vision for the British Atlantic World

Jon R. Kershner

Argues that Woolman demonstrated a version of early Quaker apocalypticism
Explores Woolman's vision of a colonial society and rejection of slavery, imperialism, and the trans-Atlantic economy
Fundamentally reinterprets 18th century Quakerism

John Woolman and the Government of Christ

A Colonial Quaker's Vision for the British Atlantic World

Jon R. Kershner

Description

In 1758, a Quaker tailor and sometime shopkeeper and school teacher stood up in a Quaker meeting and declared that the time had come for Friends to reject the practice of slavery. That man was John Woolman, and that moment was a significant step, among many, toward the abolition of slavery in the United States.

Woolman's antislavery position was only one essential piece of his comprehensive theological vision for colonial American society. Drawing on Woolman's entire body of writing, Jon R. Kershner reveals that the theological and spiritual underpinnings of Woolman's alternative vision for the British Atlantic world were nothing less than a direct, spiritual christocracy on earth, what Woolman referred to as "the Government of Christ." Kershner argues that Woolman's theology is best understood as apocalypticcentered on a supernatural revelation of Christ's immediate presence governing all aspects of human affairs, and envisaging the impending victory of God's reign over apostasy. John Woolman and the Government of Christ explores the theological reasoning behind Woolman's critique of the burgeoning trans-Atlantic economy, slavery, and British imperial conflicts, and fundamentally reinterprets 18th-century Quakerism by demonstrating the continuing influence of early Quaker apocalypticism.

John Woolman and the Government of Christ

A Colonial Quaker's Vision for the British Atlantic World

Jon R. Kershner

Introduction
1 Early Quaker Theology and the Transatlantic Context
2 Revelation and the "Principle That Proceeds From God"
3 Woolman the Prophet: "His Word Was In My Heart"
4 Eschatology: Woolman's Realizing Eschatology
5 Perfection
6 Judgment
7 Influences and Comparisons
Conclusion
Appendix
Bibliography

John Woolman and the Government of Christ

A Colonial Quaker's Vision for the British Atlantic World

Jon R. Kershner

Author Information

Jon R. Kershner, Honorary Researcher, Lutheran University

Jon R. Kershner is Honorary Researcher at Lancaster University, UK. His recent publications include a chapter on global Christianity for The Cambridge Companion to Quakerism and numerous articles and chapters on John Woolman and eighteenth century Quaker theologies of antislavery reform. He serves as co-chair of the Quaker Studies Group at the American Academy of Religion and edits the journal Quaker Religious Thought.

John Woolman and the Government of Christ

A Colonial Quaker's Vision for the British Atlantic World

Jon R. Kershner

Reviews and Awards

"Kershner's work is well worth reading for those interested in more fully understanding the vibrant nature of colonial religious thought, 18th-century Quakerism, or apocalypticism in general." - Spencer Wells, Virginia Center for the Study of Religion, Reading Religion

"With at least two comprehensive biographies of John Woolman in the last decade, it is remarkable that Jon Kershner finds so much new to say in his John Woolman and the Government of Christ... A deep dive into Woolman's theology, the book is accessible to a broad range of scholars. ... Kershner's work is not only an overdue reevaluation of Woolman's theology but also a timely consideration of how individuals have attempted to "navigat[e] world affairs with a heavenly perspective." - Church History

"Jon Kershner's illuminating, engaging, ground-breaking book examines the thought of eighteenth-century Quaker prophet and lay theologian John Woolman. With great clarity, a sure-handed contextual understanding of the times, and impressive analytic rigor, Kershner shows how Woolman's prophetic, amillennialist theology was relevant to his times, and perhaps beyond them. This is essential reading for anyone interested in eighteenth-century American religion or the thought of religious radicals during the early modern period." - Stephen Angell, Leatherock Professor of Quaker Studies, Earlham School of Religion

"John Woolman is widely known for opposing slavery, warfare, cruelty to animals, deception, exploitation, extravagance and greed. In this carefully researched examination of Woolman's theology, Jon Kershner helps us see more clearly what Woolman was for. Kershner recovers the faith and optimism that drove Woolman's ministry, informed his protests, and gave his life an overriding sense of purpose and coherence." - Geoffrey Plank, Professor of History, University of East Anglia

"A fascinating and original work that will prove indispensable for our understanding of Woolman. Kershner makes a compelling and convincing case for the centrality of apocalypticism in understanding the Quaker prophet's religious vision." - Justin Meggitt, Senior Lecturer in the Study of Religion, University of Cambridge