What Quakers Mean by “the Light”
“When early Friends spoke of the Inward Light, they were referring to the Light near the beginning of the gospel of John (1:9): “The true Light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.” Although for them, this Light was identified with Christ, it conveyed much the same meaning that the expression “that of God in every one” has for many contemporary Friends.
The Light is something of God, not something that belongs to the individual. It enlightens all people—allowing them, in a spiritual sense, to see clearly. And because it is “of God” and not God, the Inward Light is just those few beams of an infinitely larger “Outward Light” that happens to strike their hearts and illuminate their consciences. Everyone shares in that same Outward Light, but it is incomplete within any particular person.”
— Paul Buckley, 2003
Quaker historian and theologian
Today’s Invitation
Allow the Outward Light to strike your heart and illuminate your conscience.
This Week’s Query
If there is “that of God in everyone” what does that mean for your relationship with yourself?
When has someone seen that of God in you?
Read the source of today’s quote
Banner art by Arla Patch
