Mark D Russ
banner
markdruss.bsky.social
Mark D Russ
@markdruss.bsky.social
Theologian. Queer Quaker ✝️ /|\. PhD student at University of Nottingham constructing a critical White theology of Quaker worship. Author of "Quaker Shaped Christianity" (2022). (He/him) 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️ jollyquaker.com
Pinned
Happy publication day to me! 🥳 My book is finally out there. Do give it a read. I think it's rather good! www.collectiveinkbooks.com/christian-al... #quaker #theology
Spirit of Freedom, The from Christian Alternative Books
The Spirit of Freedom offers accessible, useful, and life-affirming theology rooted in Quaker spirituality and Biblical wisdom. Collecting ...
www.collectiveinkbooks.com
Reposted by Mark D Russ
📣 New Video!! After the THRILLING cliff-hanger last week, jump right back into the darker side of the Early Quakers with me and @ericanela.bsky.social to discuss miracles, martyrs and plenty more zeal!

#quakers #quakerism #britishquakers

youtu.be/sw4ZUBghgJY
Radical Early Quakers: Did Miracles Really Happen? with Erica Canela
YouTube video by Quake It Up
youtu.be
November 26, 2025 at 6:58 PM
Reposted by Mark D Russ
Fellow Advent observers: Christ is coming! Not at the end of time or in our nostalgia, but in every person seeking food, drink, refuge, warmth, care, and inclusion.
November 24, 2025 at 8:53 PM
Reposted by Mark D Russ
Happy St Katherine's Day to all scholars, librarians, and Katherines. May you win an argument against an annoying man today, in the true spirit of Katherine herself.
November 25, 2025 at 7:08 AM
I've had such a productive day working on my queer introduction to the Bible. Keeping things informative enough without bogging the reader down in detail, whilst also keeping things fascinatingly queer, is a such an enjoyable challenge. #Writing #theology #Authors #WritingCommunity
November 24, 2025 at 4:13 PM
Reposted by Mark D Russ
As many of you know, I do a lot of volunteer work with asylum seekers and refugees. One thing that’s going on is that Labour’s hostility towards migrants and the counterbattery from Tories and Reform is causing horrific fear and anxiety among vulnerable people who deserve our protection.
November 23, 2025 at 5:21 PM
Reposted by Mark D Russ
*Trans Biblical* is here!! (And so are we!)
Looking forward to this afternoon’s review session
November 23, 2025 at 5:23 PM
Reposted by Mark D Russ
📣 New Video! Today I’m looking at how Quaker testimonies can provide an alternative positive form of masculinity for men today. What do you think?

#quakers #quakerism #britishquakers #masculinity #positivemasculinity

youtu.be/dmbPAvSO5Oc
How Quaker Values Can Rebuild Modern Masculinity.
YouTube video by Quake It Up
youtu.be
November 22, 2025 at 6:08 PM
The idea that those opposing Labour's anti-immigrant rhetoric do so from a position of "White privilege" betrays wilful ignorance or wicked cynicism. The idea that immigration causes racism/division is Whiteness on steroids! youtu.be/dKfteDsOKvs?...
The Home Secretary is going hard on immigration
YouTube video by Sky News
youtu.be
November 22, 2025 at 2:52 PM
Reposted by Mark D Russ
Racism is not justified by immigration levels or rising poverty, unemployment or crime.

It is not justified, period.

I see the rising wave of voices & arguments justifying the rising levels of racism as the most sinister political development in 2025 on the British landscape.
The Home Secretary explaining that the rise in racist violence is, actually, the natural response to higher levels of immigration is a state of affairs that can't exist without the government having largely decided that racist violence is, if not legitimate, at least understandable.
November 22, 2025 at 11:20 AM
Reposted by Mark D Russ
A re-recorded version of the lecture "Anabaptists and Quakers: The Historic Peace church Contribution" is now available on my website (due to a technical issue, the actual lecture was not recorded). Includes a downloadable document containing the Anabaptist and Quaker texts mentioned in the lecture.
Explore Quaker Theology and Spirituality with Stuart Masters | Stuart Masters: Author and Teacher
Discover learning opportunities with Stuart Masters, a teacher and writer. Delve into the roots of the Quaker way, its theology, spirituality, and its connections with other Christian traditions. Join...
www.stuartkmasters.com
November 21, 2025 at 7:48 PM
Reposted by Mark D Russ
“In my view, this is the best introduction to the Quaker way since Geoffrey Hubbard’s Quaker by Convincement. Highly recommended!”

The Right Reverend Paul Bayes (former Bishop of Liverpool)
November 21, 2025 at 11:50 AM
Reposted by Mark D Russ
Are there academic studies on an increase in paid working time (across genders) and this being a factor in less capacity for voluntary organisations (like churches)?
This article speaks to some of this, but not all of it www.ft.com/content/da7b...
Client Challenge
Please enable JavaScript to proceed.
www.ft.com
November 21, 2025 at 12:47 PM
Reposted by Mark D Russ
As we celebrated the Feast of Christ the King at this week’s All-Age Community Eucharist, our Academic Dean, Karen, encouraged us in her sermon to remember that Christ is the King who confounds our expectations.
November 20, 2025 at 7:30 PM
Reposted by Mark D Russ
How does the social structure of patriarchy, in which men and masculinity are valued above women and femininity, affect our religion and spirituality? Explore this question with ideas from Christian, Jewish, and Pagan feminist and womanist theologians.

Book your place: https://ow.ly/yEKQ50XqCqQ
November 18, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Reposted by Mark D Russ
I'm looking forward to teaching Feminist Theology for Quakers again - last time we had some great discussions about the Bible, women's roles in society and religion, and intersectionality, among other things.
How does the social structure of patriarchy, in which men and masculinity are valued above women and femininity, affect our religion and spirituality? Explore this question with ideas from Christian, Jewish, and Pagan feminist and womanist theologians.

Book your place: https://ow.ly/yEKQ50XqCqQ
November 20, 2025 at 9:50 AM
Reposted by Mark D Russ
"Prayer is the field-hospital in which the diseased spirituality that we have contracted from the Powers can most directly be diagnosed and treated."

Walter Wink
November 19, 2025 at 2:15 PM
Reposted by Mark D Russ
"Hope envisages its future and then acts as if that future is now irrestible, thus helping to create the reality for which it longs."

Walter Wink
November 19, 2025 at 2:21 PM
Reposted by Mark D Russ
What a delight! Thank you so much for inviting me @quakeitup.bsky.social 😀
📣 New video! After thoroughly enjoying @ericanela.bsky.social new book Zealous, I had to ask her to come on to talk about it! What followed was without question the most hilarious discussion I’ve had about Early Quaker history I’ve ever had… AND THAT IS SAYING A LOT!

youtu.be/mBadA04ZotY
Zealous: Uncovering the Darker Side of the First Quakers w/ Erica Canela
YouTube video by Quake It Up
youtu.be
November 19, 2025 at 6:11 PM
Reposted by Mark D Russ
📣 New video! After thoroughly enjoying @ericanela.bsky.social new book Zealous, I had to ask her to come on to talk about it! What followed was without question the most hilarious discussion I’ve had about Early Quaker history I’ve ever had… AND THAT IS SAYING A LOT!

youtu.be/mBadA04ZotY
Zealous: Uncovering the Darker Side of the First Quakers w/ Erica Canela
YouTube video by Quake It Up
youtu.be
November 19, 2025 at 5:59 PM
Reposted by Mark D Russ
Reading up for a talk later, I discovered that the principal Quaker centre in southern Somerset was not C&J Clark's town of Street, but - and I don't know why I was surprised - Glastonbury.

In the 1660s, their first recorded meeting house was, in fact, the Abbot's Kitchen, which was A Choice. 🗃️
November 19, 2025 at 4:11 PM
Reposted by Mark D Russ
Hey #AARSBL25 folks! Come to this panel on trans biblical interpretation (and our recent collection!) this Sunday at 4 !
November 19, 2025 at 5:09 PM
Reposted by Mark D Russ
This Saturday you're welcome to come and share how you're doing in relation to the state of the world and find some deeper wisdom for facing it.
The Spirituality and Climate Sharing Circle
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/spirituali...
Spirituality and Climate Sharing Circle
Eventbrite - Spirituality and sharing circle presents Spirituality and Climate Sharing Circle - Saturday, 22 November 2025 at The Cardiff Buddhist Centre, Cardiff, Wales. Find event and ticket informa...
www.eventbrite.co.uk
November 18, 2025 at 8:33 PM
Reposted by Mark D Russ
God bless everyone arrested today at the Senedd and elsewhere. You are building a better world with your actions and opposing the Empire of violence and lies. I will be praying for you over the next few hours as you sit in cells. You are not alone.
November 18, 2025 at 3:14 PM
Reposted by Mark D Russ
"Blessed are the peacemakers"
Sitting in a police cell after arrest at a peaceful protest is a lonely experience.
But please know you are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses. You are not alone but in a great community of those who have sought justice and witnessed to a better world.
November 18, 2025 at 3:31 PM
Reposted by Mark D Russ
This is a new low from a govt plumbing the depths of performative cruelty in hopes that the public won’t notice they have no answers to the real issues facing this country

A sensible, humane govt would focus on safe routes to prevent people making dangerous small boat crossings
November 17, 2025 at 10:14 AM