September 24 Study Session Minutes
General Business & Orientation
We met at the Meeting House at 6:30 pm, Thursday, Sept. 24, 1998. Yoshiko and Mikio Miyake with Koike-san along with others were having a light meal of potatoes. Using that happenstance as an inspiration, we decided to have light meals from 6:00 pm on study nights with the actual study sessions to begin promptly at 6:30 pm. Yoshiko Miyake graciously agreed to organize these light meals in the future.
As a header to the study questions, Tom Coyner had found the following quotation:
"Unity of spirit, not unity of opinion is the tie that holds us. We do not object our members holding varying theological views; we do object to the efforts of any one group of thinkers to impose their opinions on another group whose reasoning or experience has led to different conclusions."
-- Jane Rushmore
There was a suggestion that the phrase of "varying theological views" as being too indefinite since there is a basic theological view to Quakerism with still a good deal of toleration. We agreed not to use this quote in the future.
The following Thursdays were suggested as the next benkyo-kai (study session) dates 10/29, 11/26, 12/17 (4th Thursdays, except December). After a brief discussion the suggestion was accepted.
In attendance were Mikio & Yoshiko Miyake, Ms. Koide, Hirochika Tanaka and Tom Coyner.
The following principles were briefly reviewed once more prior to the actual discussion without controversy
Some Guiding Principles of Our Study Group:
1.We are to discuss in simple, frank and direct language.
2. We recognize there are many aspects to the Truth. Therefore, no one person is "wrong." We must also be willing to confess that at times all of our discussions may miss the essential Truth of the matter.
3. If we have a contrary view to that of another person, we will make our point by addressing the discussion topic rather than other person's views.
4. Whenever possible, we should restate or at least summarize our discussion points in the second language. If we are unable to translate, we should ask someone else in the group for help.
5. We will begin on time and we will end on time. However, we encourage informal discussions to continue past the closing time among ourselves.
For the time being, we agreed to stay with the current study text, Friends for 300 Years by Howard H. Brinton, Pendle Hill Publications. While not an easy text, we have it in both English and Japanese versions. However, we will not necessarily restrict ourselves to this text in the future. However, at this time, there is no other material being considered.
The following are the questions discussed and summaries in italics of the resulting discussion:
1. How have Friends regarded the authority of the Scriptures in relationship to the Light Within and the Holy Spirit?
Friends have freely used the terms "Light Within" and the "Holy Spirit" interchangeably with "God." The authority of the Scriptures are generally recognized as the inspired works of men and women who have experienced the "Light Within."
2. By rejecting the theology of the Trinity, may Friends be considered Unitarians? Or, is that designation misleading?
Quakers are not Unitarians since there is a genuine Christian religious centering to Quaker beliefs. Unitarians tend to be more ethical than religious and wider comprising of even non-Christian liberal beliefs.
3. "Standing still in the Light," "the Mystery of the Fellowship," "in the Light wait where the Unity is" - how would you try to explain these analogies to someone who is earnestly curious about such experiences?
"Standing still in the Light" may mean coming to a centering or stillness and ultimately into communion with God;
"The Mystery of the Fellowship" may be construed to mean the special qualities of silent, unprogrammed worship on First Days where sum of our meditative efforts may be greater than the sum of the individuals;
"In the Light wait where the Unity is" can mean the communion of the individual with God and the universe through prayer and meditation.4. Fox referred to The Dark World is beneath the World of Light. Pennington pointed out "the shadow is a real shadow." In our frailty, we often choose what is opposite to the Light. Is there a demonic, evil force that tempts us? Or is there only an absence of Light which we voluntarily choose?
Quaker thought generally focuses on the positive potential of Mankind rather than some supposed inherent evil. Consequently "The Dark World" is the result of ignorance and unenlightenment.
5. How does the concept "the answering that of God in every one" translate into daily living and testimony to others?
This is, of course, a very personal matter that each person must uniquely face each day. Obviously actions speak louder than words. At the same time we cannot expect a commonality of opinion among fellow Quakers on various political and social issues. However, we can hope that through cultivated spiritual strength, individual Quakers may take personal actions based on their views and convictions.
Conclusion:
The meeting ended with silence, agreeing that we ask Tom Coyner to again develop study questions for Chapter 3 of the same text. Also, it was suggested that Tom may draft a suggested summary of the study session. If there is time, we will supply the study minutes and questions to the Ministry and Council for guidance.
The next study session will take place from 6:30 pm on 10/29 following a light meal from 6:00 pm. Everyone is welcome. Advanced preparation such as reading the text is most encouraged but is not required.
Added 10th Month 3, 1998
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