Comments for Quaker Ranter

Comment on Origin of the Quaker SPICES testimonies by Melinda Wenner Bradley

Melinda Wenner Bradley — Sat, 03 Oct 2026 21:00:59 +0000

Martin, I am a year late to this party but this post has been very helpful to me -- thanks for it, and the many links. I'm preparing to share on a panel at the Quaker Theological Discussion Group later this month, on "Living Testimony in the Experience of Children." I have a deep aversion to SPICES as a reductionist tool (we teach children the word "raindown" AND ROY G BIV -- they can learn the word "testimonies") and I would lift up that the three Faith & Play stories that explore the testimonies speak directly to the spiritual grounding of listening from which we let our life speak. One of them, "Living the Ways of the Spirit" explores Jesus' ministry in relationship with the testimonies (sigh, the ones in "SPICES" -- but, Jesus, too!). They alone also aren't a perfect response in this conversation, and I hope Friends continue to explore where we're called to testify to truth in new places, ways, experiences, in our challenging time.

Comment on The Quaker Peace Testimony: Living in the Power, Reclaiming the Source by Mario May

Mario May — Tue, 18 Aug 2026 14:49:01 +0000

Thank you for this clearsighted reminder that it is faith in the power of a living, loving God that takes away the occasion of all wars.

Comment on North American Quaker statistics 1937–2017 by William Robert Martin

William Robert Martin — Fri, 10 Apr 2026 23:13:46 +0000

Very concerned about the decline in membership.

Comment on Beyond the MacGuffins: Sheeran’s Beyond Majority Rule by Martin Kelley

Martin Kelley — Thu, 05 Mar 2026 15:33:16 +0000

In reply to Melynda Huskey. Kind of fun to re-read this comment 23 years or so later, now that I've been Friends Journal editor for over a decade. I wonder what Melynda would think of FJ in 2026.

Comment on Origin of the Quaker SPICES testimonies by Steven Davison

Steven Davison — Sat, 27 Dec 2025 13:31:13 +0000

But I should have added my deep thanks, Martin, for this post.

Comment on Origin of the Quaker SPICES testimonies by Steven Davison

Steven Davison — Sat, 27 Dec 2025 13:23:55 +0000

My problems with SPICES, besides those touched on here, are: The way the container closes the door on "continuing revelation": I remember when stewardship was added to the list, but where do we go from here? I suspect that the Holy Spirit is not done with us yet. The way the container leaves stuff out; notably for me, our "testimony" against capital punishment. And most importantly, the way the container tends to externalize the testimonial life into an outward form, a principle to live by, rather than living in our outward lives the Truth that we've received inwardly from our Guide, though some of these truths have been confirmed by corporate discernment enough over time to stand as settled "testimonies". But it's the listening spirituality and the outward faithfulness that matters.

Comment on Origin of the Quaker SPICES testimonies by Martin Kelley

Martin Kelley — Fri, 26 Dec 2025 20:31:02 +0000

In reply to sharon. Wow, 1981 would put it almost twenty years earlier than any other instance I've seen. By chance do you have any documentation from such an early date?

Comment on Origin of the Quaker SPICES testimonies by sharon

sharon — Fri, 26 Dec 2025 18:39:35 +0000

I first heard SPICE at the 1981 FGC gathering in Berea KY!. At the time it didn’t sit well with me as I found it too glib. I was still working out what God wanted my life to testify too.