The “Friends of Truth” was an early name used by Quakers, referring to their belief in the importance of seeking and living in accordance with divine Truth. This Truth was seen as a direct experience of the divine reality, not just an abstract concept.
For early Quakers, being a “Friend of Truth” implied several key things:
1. Having a direct, intimate relationship with God and divine Truth
This was modeled on Jesus’ teachings about being his “friends” if one obeys his commands and teachings.
2. Seeking to align one’s life and actions with the Truth
Early Quakers believed in seeking to align one’s life and actions with the Truth, not just intellectually but through faithful obedience and practice. Truth was about the conformity of words, actions, and lives to the reality of God.
3. Prioritizing loyalty to God’s Truth over worldly concerns or allegiances
There was a stark choice to be made between serving God or the world for early Quakers.
4. Being willing to suffer and even die for the sake of proclaiming and living out this Truth
Some early Quakers were willing to suffer and even die for the sake of proclaiming and living out this Truth.
In essence, being a “Friend of Truth” for early Quakers was about a lived, experiential relationship with divine Truth that shaped every aspect of life and faith. It was not just about intellectual assent to certain beliefs, but about a transformative encounter with God’s reality that demanded a faithful, obedient response.
