Richard K. Ullmann

Within this slim booklet, first published in 1956, are four short chapters about Truth (which some may find a challenging read). In a personal sense, Friends from the beginningt have been Friends of Truth But what is this truth? Ullman writes of the loose affinity between mid17th century Quakerist thought and the radical philosophy of Descartes (1596-1650) that circulated amongst European circles around the time of the English Civil War. There are parallels he says between Descartes’s discovery of an undisputable truth summarised in the pithy phrase 'Cogito ergo sum' (I think, therefore I am), and Fox’s experience of the inner revelation of Christ. Robert Barclay (1648-1690) was later to define truth as “the divine revelation and inward illumination is that which is evident and clear of itself”

Existentialists such as Kierkagaard and Nietzsche believed we exist in relation to a transcendental and unknowable reality (which for convenience we summarise as God). It is within this reality they said, that the essence of pure Truth is found—a truth to be lived and experienced; a truth which if surrended to, becomes a reference-point, our North Star with which to guide our life-path.

See also Rowland’s book ‘God, Words and Us’ and ‘Interfaith Pilgrimage’ by Nesbitt… (mehr)

Ullman, working with the Christian Peace Conference to further reconciled relationships between Christians from Eastern and Western Europe, experienced various dilemmas over the right way forward. His perceptive and thoughtful conclusions alert the reconciler both to the real difficulties and to the careful discernment and faith required. He discusses issues such as the integrity of being used by and using others, or of the conflict between truth and love, when speaking the whole truth will not reach a group whose immediate need is love and healing. His observations and thoughtfulness will be interesting to those called to this work.… (mehr)