Product Description
This is an introduction for students and lay readers on the Anglican tradition of doing theology. This book seeks to explain the ways in which Anglicans have sought to practise theology in their various contexts. It is a clear, insightful, and reliable guide which avoids technical jargon and roots its discussions in concrete examples. The book is primarily a work of historical theology, which engages deeply with key texts and writers from across the tradition (e.g. Cranmer, Jewel, Hooker, Taylor, Butler, Simeon, Pusey, Huntington, Temple, Ramsey, and many others). As well as being suitable for seminary courses, it will be of particular interest to study groups in parishes and churches, as well as to individuals who seek to gain a deeper insight into the traditions of Anglicanism. While it adopts a broad and unpartisan approach, it will also be provocative and lively. "Doing Theology" introduces the major Christian traditions and their way of theological reflection. The volumes focus on the origins of a particular theological tradition, its foundations, key concepts, eminent thinkers and historical development.The series is aimed readers who want to learn more about their own theological heritage and identity: theology undergraduates, students in ministerial training and church study groups. ... Read more

Product Description
This title traces the history and development of Christianity in Britain from Roman times through twenty often turbulent centuries. Learned, yet accessible, witty in style and attractively illustrated throughout, this is popular history at its best. When the earlier editions were in print, 9/11 had not happened, Iraq had not been invaded, Rowan Williams was not yet Archbishop of Canterbury. No-one could have foreseen the escalation of religious conflict, how the issue of homosexuality was to dominate the churches' public agenda, that the number of female ordinands would so rapidly outnumber male candidates, or imagined British parish churches rejecting their bishops and looking to Africa for a moral lead. This new edition, to be published in the run-up to the landmark 2008 Lambeth Conference conveys the character and contribution of Christianity in the ever changing landscape of contemporary Britain. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

A Nice Complement to a More Linear, Cogent History of Anglicanism
Not Angels, but Anglicans is a collection of historical essays written by various writers about the Church in the British Isles.It's strong point is the various perspectives that offer some insights that a more traditional history text by ignore.However, I also found this to be the weak point in that because the authors focused on their own interests, many historical events, movements and people were either ignored or given little attention.I think this book is a good follow-up to a book like The History of the Church in England by Moorman that follows a thorough chronological format.

See with A TREASURY OF ANGLICAN ART
This book would be ideally purchased with the book A TREASURY OF ANGLICAN ART -- also available from AMAZON.
NOT ANGELS BUT ANGLICANSgives the reader of any background (Episcopal, Roman, Protestant or none) the history and flavor of the English Church and British Spirituality-- from early and medieval Roman Catholicism to the present Anglican Communion -- the largest worldwide body of Christians after the Roman Catholic Church.Not just a dry collection of facts , this work selects historical figures and makes them come alive again as Anglicans develop from a 16th century national state church (Th C of E) to a world wide communion of 80 million adherants in churches all over the globe in the 21st century.
Of interest to all Episcopalians, Christians of any stripe and Anglophiles everywhere.Also looks good on a coffee (tea?) table!

A well written compendium
The Anglican Church has influenced millions of people all over the world.It is the largest world wide church after the Roman Catholics.But unlike the Roman Church, there are few well written sources to introduce the history, theology and personalities of this Christian Body.
While this book concentrates on the Church of England, there are also chapters about the American Episcopal Church, and the world wide Anglican Communion. Anyone who is interested in learning about this Church would benefit from reading this very interesting, very readable (and colorfully illustrated) book. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (19)

Wonderful liturgies
This book provides a sincere, simple resource for anyone wishing to develop or strengthen their prayer life. Although intended for the Anglican Church in New Zealand, the words are poetic and meaningful to any ear. The Eucharistic liturgy for Creation and Redemption is both powerful and personal. The liturgy for Thanksgiving and Praise is thoughtful and internally stimulating. God is referred to as "God of Past and Present, abundant God, and God of growth and discovery." All of these references denote our deeply personal, dependant relationship with our Creator. I am familiar with non-Anglican/Episcopal clergy who use this resource and are edified by its simplicity as well as rich text. I think it will be a worthy addition to any liturgical library.

New Zealand Prayer Book
I purchase a used book.It was in excellent condition and I am very happy with it.

An abundance of riches
For several years I've used snippets from this prayer book, but I hadn't acquired a copy of my own.I've been delighted to have the resource in its entirety.Praying the daily office, with its specific NZ references (as well as language, of course), is a new adventure.The daily devotions are particularly useful.I've only begun exploring the prayer book but already I know it is going to be a spiritual staple.

Very pleased
I find that much of the language is fresh and invites the involvement of the user / worshipper

Clean and fresh
First saw this Prayer Book at an Anglican church in Taupo while on vacation. Especially like the format and the multitude of voices, the Daily Devotions, and the clean, twenty-first century English. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Mary Remembered, and For All Time
As he did so well in his book "Participation in God", Canon Allchin uncovered another forgotten Anglican tradition, this time the veneration of Mary the Mother of God.He describes Mary as the place where the mystery of the Incarnation begins.Since all creation finds in her the reality of God-with-us, Mary is truly the Joy of All Creation.Allchin finds this tradition weaving as a thread through the writings of well-known Anglican theologians like Lancelot Andrewes and Jeremy Taylor, flowing as an underground stream during the Oxford Movement, and clearly evident in the writings of outstanding modern poets such as Edwin Muir and T.S. Eliot.Published over 20 years ago, this book was ahead of its time in pointing out that Mary is not a divisive element but is in reality a figure around which all Christians may find solidarity.May she pray for us. ... Read more

Product Description
Interest in the saints has undoubtedly increased since the Church of England revised its calendar of saints in 1997. Yet we feel the saints are unreal and distant, and sanctity seems to lie far from our own lives.

This substantial and important volume discovers what the saints were really like as people and why they came to be regarded as holy. The stories of their lives are retold with the historian's instinct for separating truth from legend, so that we may better appreciate the significance of both.

An essential reference book to be used alongside the best-selling Exciting Holiness and Celebrating the Saints, these three volumes together make up the definitive historical companion and devotional guide to the Anglican saints. ... Read more

Product Description
This book discusses the liturgical arrangement of Anglican churches in the period between the Reformation and the Oxford Movement, challenging many widely held assumptions and prejudices. A revised edition of a classic work, this volume offers a new Foreword and Appendix, and an updated Index and bibliography. ... Read more

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This revisionist account seeks to redress the harsh judgments on the Hanoverian Church by Victorian and later historians. The Church's involvement in politics is explained and vindicated. ... Read more

Product Description
First paperback edition of a book that caused a strom when it was first published but now, in the words of Archbishop David Hope, should be seen as: refreshing statement which the Church is crying out for. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Liberal Modern Theology
This "catechism" is written from a Liberal Modern Theological point of view. It should be titles "An Episcopal Church Catechism for Liberal Members of the Church of England" NOT "An Anglican Catechism". Very dissapointing.

Fr. Michael+

One way through the via media...
Once in discussion about Anglican beliefs and values, a prominent (now retired) bishop in the American church once said to me that the Episcopal church has no real dogma or doctrine one must subscribe to, but rather restsin the liturgical continuity of practice of the Book of Common Prayer.In fact this is not entirely true, on both sides of the argument; the BCP is a flexible document, often revised - particularly in America - so the continuity of the liturgy is only in the broadest terms, and the idea that there are no things Anglicans must believe stretches credulity, but only just.Trying to pin down just what it is that Anglicans believe is very tricky - put five Anglicans in a room and you'll get six opinions (at least) about most anything.

The title of this text by Edward Norton, 'An Anglican Catechism', is thus very apt.The emphasis here first should be on the first word of the title.It is not THE Anglican Catechism - it is a book of possibilities and interpretations, things which history has shown will undoubtedly change.That this is Anglican does not make it exclusive to the Church of England and its communion partners around the world - there is much to be shared here; nor does it mean that this applies to every part of the church within the official communion boundaries - within days of its publication, people around the communion were disputing different parts of the text.

Norton, a canon of York cathedral under Archbishop David Hope, the 'number two' man in the Church of England, put together this text in response to the growing question about the direction of the church, particularly with the rapid pace of change that has been taking place in the past generation, culminating with a major revision of the liturgy itself - the 2000 Common Worship, which did not contain a catechism.Another major impetus for this text was the publication by the Roman Catholic church of its primary catechism, and the careful reader will notice some similarities of overall structure in outline in the beginning.

There is a three-fold structure to the book: Part I looks at Doctrine and Order; Part II examines Morality and Applications; Part III develops a pattern for Christian Life.The text here is derivative of Norton's long experience in the church, not a rehash of a particular catechism or theology.Thus, it is both individual and communal in various aspects.

The largest section of the text is on Doctrine and Order.This does not follow a particular creedal pattern, but does draw in many of the topics addressed in the regular creeds recited in the liturgies.Norton discusses an Anglican interpretation of issues such as the Trinity, the Creation, Justification by Faith, the structure and role of clergy and laity in the church, the sacraments, the creeds, and more.There are some topics that are not developed very fully - the issue of women's ordination, for example, is still a matter of contention in the Anglican communion, and in the Church of England proper, and yet it receives only one sentence, not of explanation, but of announcement, that the Church of England ordains women to the priesthood.

In the section on Morality, Norton looks at the different kinds of morality, and how these may change over time - political morality, economic morality, environmentalism, war and peace issues, sexuality issues, family rights, human rights, and other general topics of ethical conduct.Norton also addresses in this subject topics such as secular humanism (an appropriate topic for this part) and reincarnation (a topic rather misplaced in this general section).

The final section, on developing a Christian Life, is the shortest section, but draws on the other sections to form a conclusion to the catechism.Practices important to the Christian life such as prayer, confession, self-sacrifice and discipline, looking at suffering, work, community, and authority are examined, leading up to the final statement that we all need to have faith that we live under the mercy of God.

This is a fascinating snapshot of Anglican thought.It is not a systematic series of explanations, but rather, in catechetical format, more of an exposition of beliefs; while there are interpretative statements made, this is neither a scholarly/academic text or an 'introduction'.It assumes some understanding of the beliefs and practices of the Anglican church generally.

Everyone I've known who has read this has found pieces in harmony with their beliefs, and pieces opposed to their beliefs.In good Anglican fashion, they make up their own minds.This is a good guide to help the thinking along.

Not your typical catechism!
The most frustrating thing about being an Episcopalian today is the aggressive reluctance of the church in modern times to make any sort of definitive statement about the teachings of Christianity as they have been received within the Anglican tradition.This "disinclination toward dogma" leads some Anglicans to overemphasize the mechanics and form of worship as the Anglican "distinctive," while others simply pick and choose what it means to them to be an Anglican Christian.Edward Norman's book is different in that he avoids the deliberate agnosticism of many contemporary Anglican scholars and instead expressly seeks to provide an "account of the teachings of Christianity as received within the Church of England." He is very successful in attaining that goal, and the determined reader will reap great benefit from tackling this work.The work is delightfully balanced: conservative in that it seeks and expresses the consensus of the faithful over time, but simultaneously liberal (in the sense that all Protestants are) in that the author recognizes that neither the church nor the individual believer will ever get it all exactly right.I was particularly struck by the author's ability to express orthodox Christian teachings in exciting new ways, and he is not afraid to point out where the traditional approach to certain aspects of Christian living may be diminishing in explanatory or persuasive power.His prose is complex but frequently beautiful.However, the book is not without certain shortcomings.It is not a "catechism" in any traditional sense of the word; the work is better described as a lengthy essay on Anglican dogmatic theology.As you might guess from that characterization, it is probably not really for the "unbeliever" or even the fledgling Christian; the book would, however, be a great resource for an adult education program in a parish.A seeker or newcomer to the faith would be better served by the "Outline of the Faith" in the Book of Common Prayer.The book is also only generally organized into three chapters about doctrine, morality, and the Christian life.Within each of these chapters are short, almost self-contained essays on topics related to the topic of the chapter.The text is sometimes difficult to navigate or put into context because the table of contents is very general, and the work is not indexed; perhaps a second edition could remedy this significant omission?The author also makes many assertions about the content of Anglican belief, but there are few citations in the text to authoritative sources or even scripture.In the contentious environment that is the contemporary Anglican communion, the validity of one's assertions sometimes depends on the source of the thought; more textual citations or scripture references in support of the author's assertions would help the reader better assess the validity of the argument being made.Notwithstanding these problems, this book is still a "must buy" for the rector's study, the educator's "toolbox," and every thinking Anglican's library.

An Anglican Catechism
The Anglican Catechism is a step in the right direction. The book tries (and with a great deal of success) to capture the essence of the Anglican Way in regards to theology. It is written in a style that flows and I was able to digest the book in just two sittings. References are made to some scripture (but it fell short of the amount needed) and some of the thirty nine articles. If you are already an Anglican the references to the thrity-nine articles were certainly easy but if you are not they just remained a marking of some strange references on the page.
Over all the catechism is worth purchasing just to see how the Anglican Church in general is evolving and trying to blend into society while at the same time trying to maintain essential Christian doctrine and order. ... Read more

Product Description
David Dowland presents one of the few major studies of Anglican theological training during its formative period--the nineteenth century. It describes the innovation of training large numbers of middle-class and lower-middle-class men for the ministry, and considers the conflict between this development and the traditional ideals of the Church of England. ... Read more

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The primal place of Christian belonging is at the font, yet what happens there - the words that are spoken and the symoblic actions that take place there - is understood in different ways. In a society that has become so secularised and distanced from its Christian roots, are the language and symbolism of the baptism rite sill meaningful and appropriate? As the church responds afresh to this question today, Kenneth Stevenson revisits a period in Anglican history that is rich in debate and controversy regarding the liturgy of baptism and in the writings of Richard Hooker, Lancelot Andrewes, George Herbert, Richard Baxter and other sixteenth and seventeenth-century divines, discovers practical and theological insights which have a direct bearing on many of the contemporary issues facing the Church today. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

One of the best discussions on Baptism
Kenneth Stevenson performs a real service here as he discusses seven different approaches to baptism in the early Anglican tradition. William Perkins, Richard Hooker, Lancelot Andrewes, George Herbert, Jeremy Taylor, John Bramhall, Simon Patrick, Herbert Thorndike are all briefly discussed. Stevenson isn't afraid to point out strengths and weaknesses in their respective approaches. Stevenson himself seems to grapple with the question of how one baptism is related to regeneration.

A good read but could be more indepth
I enjoyed the book and found it an honest defence of infant baptism, andit is good that Bishop Stevenson got to the heart of the grace andcompassion involved in Infant Baptism, what does concern me however are twothings. One the point of the book, is how exactly it going to help fosterecumenism with the Free and Charismatic Churches? (An obvious and likelypointless question but I feel it needs asking) Two, some more research intomodern thoughts and writings on infant baptism might be appropriate. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Provides the historic overview of Anglican views on Eucharist
This book discusses the historic views on interpretation and experience of the Eucharist in the Anglican tradition.It does serve to provide a full picture of the Anglican views.The authors refer to Anglicans such as Hooker, Jewel, Cranmer, especially Jeremy Taylor and other Caroline Divines to articulate the meaning of the Eucharist.They include a chapter on Lancelot Andrewes and the Wesley brothers' that show a few of their references to the Eucharist.Some chapters are better than others in terms of coherence and clarity.The authors could have written more fluidly and laid out the concepts in a more reader friendly manner.There is a broad use of Anglicans that leads to a lack of clarity through the course of the book.

A good and comprehensive introduction
This is a good and comprehensive introduction to Anglicanism's particular theology of the eucharist. McAdoo is fond of the seventeenth century divines and Jeremy Taylor always ends up being emblematic of what Anglicanism signifies, but if you appreciate the richness of this particular Caroline divine's thought you will appreciate this work. The book is easy to read. ... Read more

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Anglican Identities draws together studies and profiles that sympathetically explore approaches to scripture, tradition, and authority that are very different-yet at the same time distinctively Anglican. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Theological Difficulties as a Chorus of Voices
Amidst all the furor in the last year and a half concerning whether or not the Anglican Communion was - and is - likely to last, Rowan Williams, Archbishop of Canterbury, released this collection of essays on Anglicanism/s in hopes that "these 'identities' may allow and encourage for some readers a pause for mind and feeling to be reintroduced to 'passionate patience.'" (pp. 7 & 8)What follows these closing remarks in the introduction are not just 8 chapters devoted to different Anglican thinkers; instead, along with his historical investigations are a number of theological illuminations that are, quite simply, brilliant:

"Doctrine is about our end (and our beginning); about what in our humanity is not negotiable, dispensable, vulnerable to revision according to political convenience or cultural chance and fashion.Deny this, and you must say that humanity or the human good is, in some significant way, within our power to determine: which may sound emancipatory for a few minutes, until you remember that, in a violent and oppressive world, it is neither good news nor good sense to propose that definitions of the human lie in human hands, when those hands are by no means guaranteed to be the instruments of a mind formed by contemplative reason - or even what passes for reason in the liberal and universalist ethos of 'our' democracies."
- p. 55

"...theological language is a difficult, always incomplete, corruptible, but unavoidable enterprise, pressed into existence by the particular character of what God is perceived as doing, by the sense of a givenness or gratuity bearing on the human situation in such a way that a difference is made that demands new words and concepts."
- p. 108

What Williams most seeks to do here - as in other places - is to enter into a charitable dialogue with some of the important - even if not necessarily great - Anglican voices of the past.This charitable dialogue is not without criticism at points; but equally, it is not without appreciation.Reading Williams reading others is like watching someone look into a photo album and pull out all sorts of interesting bits about *us* and where we are at today by noticing the style of bicycle that the child in the photo is riding or the type of dress that a woman is wearing *then*.This is a book to go back through more than once.

There are eight chapters in the book:

1. Williams Tyndale (1491 - 1536): The Christian Society
2. Richard Hooker (1554 - 1600): Contemplative Pragmatism
3. Richard Hooker (1554 - 1600): Philosopher, Anglican, Contemporary
4. George Herbert (1593 - 1633): Inside Herbert's Afflictions
5. B.F. Westcott (1825 - 1901): The Fate of Liberal Anglicanism
6. Michael Ramsey (1904 - 1988): Theology and the Churches
7. John A. T. Robinson (1919 - 1983): Honest to God and the 1960s
8. B.F. Westcott (1825 - 1901), E.C. Hoskyns (1884 - 1937), William Temple (1881 - 1944) and John A.T. Robinson(1919 - 1983): Anglican Approaches to St. John's Gospel

Williams is quite aware that this is by no means a complete list of the manifold Anglican identities that have existed and continue to exist in our world.Yet, there are a lot of contours and trajectories here that ought not be missed and can, in fact, be found to emerge as one goes through different Anglican thinkers.

As one may notice in the above list of chapters, Richard Hooker - perhaps rightly thought of as the theological father of all later Anglican writers - makes *two* appearances here.Williams writes that "Hooker - like the Anglican tradition as a whole, it is tempting to add - is tantalizingly hard to pigeonhole." (p. 55) Yet, I wonder if perhaps this is only because we have become too used to hearing a polemic between radical Protestants on the one hand and ardent Roman Catholics on the other - as if this truly represented the spectrum of Christendom!Anglicanism, as an attempting *for* a primitive (= historic!) catholicity, deconstructs the oftentimes elaborate over-simplifications made by both Puritans and Roman Catholics on issues such as Scripture, grace and the Church, therefore standing as a viable third option: as something *distinctly* Anglican.

Highly recommended. ... Read more

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The best of therapy and spiritual direction begins with telling stories that describe where we have been and where we are going. Luke is neither a psychologist nor a spiritual director, but intuitively he understands the importance of storytelling as the key to human growth, change, and healing. Speaking to the crisis of faith faced by his church, Luke retells the story of Jesus' birth, ministry, death, and resurrection as a means of addressing the spiritual struggles that resurface generation after generation. Touching on issues of belonging, authority, tradition, behavior, and hope, Schmidt offers a reading of Luke's gospel that speaks to today's reader. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

A scholarly delve into the gospel of Luke
The life of Christ is told as a stream of lessons for the world to follow. "The Gospel of Luke" is an entry into the Conversations with Scripture series as Episcopal priest Frederick W. Schmidt offers a scholarly delve into the gospel of Luke, one of the most central books of the New Testament. With much wisdom and scholarly insight on the volume, Schmidt makes "The Gospel of Luke" a highly educational read for Bible readers trying to understand a deeper meaning in their texts.
... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

Dying is not at the end of life....it is all through it
A must have for every Faith Commujnity Nurse and hopefully every nurse.What a treasure

Dry reading on a necessary topic
This book, put together by a panel is mighty dry reading - kinda like unbuttered popcorn.Alas, that's a common problem with a report or study put together by a committee, no evidence that any of the panelists has a flair for writing.As with the other reviewers to date, I feel the book provides much needed help on the issue of one's faith on facing and addressing death; especially death under trying circumstances--life support, hospice care.I'd have found it helpful if there'd been some discussion on coping with the death of youth or young children (grief issues are especially critical) and the matter of a child dying before elderly parents, again an especially hard grief issue and test of faith.

Faithful Living, Faithful Dying:Anglican Reflections on End of Life Care

This book was excellent.It gives a great insight into the beliefs of the Anglican Faith regarding the End of Life Care, and what we, as Anglicans, can do.I knew before I read the book, that the Church allowed us to forgo Life Support Measures, and Extraordinary measures including refusing artificial Nutrition and Hydration.

This book is a great resourch for any member of the Anglican Faith (Episcopal of Church of England, or member of the Anglican Community).

A really helpful book
This is a really useful book for those who are approaching death and those who are critically ill and don't know what the outcome will be.I'm not Episcopalian, but felt really supported in terms of ethical and spiritual help when my father was dying and I read it.

An Episcopal Church task group writes a book worth reading.
When confronted by potentially controversial ethical issues, such as thosesurrounding death and dying, churches rarely distinguish themselves.Thereare a number of pitfalls.Knowing that they cannot please anyone, they maysimply remain silent, abdicating their responsibility to provide moralguidance.Worse, they may make pious-sounding, but vague, pronouncemntsthat address issues without actually saying anything.When take clearpositions, they may have a hard time making a convincing connection totheir own tradition.This work avoids all those pitfalls.The EpiscopalChurch's End of Life Task Force addresses issues such as assisted suicideclearly and concisely even as they respect the human anguish and moralambiguities involved. ... Read more

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This is an EXACT reproduction of a book published before 1923. This IS NOT an OCR'd book with strange characters, introduced typographical errors, and jumbled words.This book may have occasional imperfections such as missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. that were either part of the original artifact, or were introduced by the scanning process. We believe this work is culturally important, and despite the imperfections, have elected to bring it back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide. We appreciate your understanding of the imperfections in the preservation process, and hope you enjoy this valuable book. ... Read more

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Some Bible commentaries seem to assume that the reader is fluent in Ancient Greek or Hebrew, which is fine if you are an academic. Other, let's put it delicately, are a little unchallenging.Welcome therefore the Conversation with...series - straight down the middle commentaries for group or individual use, that do not talk up or down, but tell you what you need to know.Produced in association with the Anglican Association of Biblical Scholars, these will actually appeal to Christians of most denominations, and all have a great series design which looks great on the bookshelf in your store or website.This volume is on "John's Gospel". For contemporary Christians, "John's Gospel" is a paradox. On the one hand, it stresses boundaries: "No one comes to the Father except through me," while on the other it stresses community: "I have no longer called you servants, but friends." Here, Kittredge examines John from both an inclusive and an exclusive perspective, encouraging readers to draw out the tensions between these two perspectives to make the gospel more meaningful to their lives. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Gospel of John
What a great book. Easy to read and ta daaaah, even better to be able to understand. Great job Cynthia. ... Read more

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A clear and readable introduction to the distinctive Anglican understanding of the Church, its origins, beliefs, structure, form and function, what it has in common with other churches and where it differs. ... Read more