By looking at the Church through the lens of the biblical theme of promise, this book seeks to offer neither lament for a tattered tradition nor facile hope for an expanding one. It considers the key phases of Anglican history, each defined by clear intentions, from securing English national life, to mission, to finding contextual roots in various locales.

Robert S. Heaney;William L. Sachs

The Promise of Anglicanism

Acknowledgements

Introduction:Anglicanism’s Dilemma

The Limits of Anglican Assurance

Contextualization and Promise

Notes

1 The Meaning of Promise

Reframing the Anglican Story

Promise as a Biblical and Early Christian Theme

Mission, Promise and Divergence

2 A Contested Genesis

An Unfulfilled Settlement

The First Stirrings of Anglican Mission

The Dynamism of Anglican Promise

3 Catholicity and Contextualization

The Expansion of 'Anglianism'

Anglicanism as Contextualization and Contestation

Anglican Catholicity: The Ongoing Pilgrimage

4 Catholicity and Communion

Missionary Bishops and Their Churches

Bishops in the Field

Democratic Governance

Cast on Its Own Resources

In Search of Guiding Principles

Building Mutuality in Theory and Practice

5 Testing Anglican Coherence

A Disputed Identity

Inherent Tensions

6 Renewing Communion in Mission

Criticisms of Mission Practice

Contextualizations in Communion

7 Distinctive and Faithful Practice

Witness in Communities of Practice

Hope in Communities of Liturgy

Discernment in Communities of Proclamation

Conclusion

Index

\- A game-changing contribution to the conversation around Anglicanism, from two central thinkers in the field. - Comes as the world's Anglican bishops gather for the 2020 Lambeth conference, with one of the authors a member of the design group for the conference - Refreshing in its hopeful, positive understanding of Anglicanism, yet realistic in its acknowledgement of the tradition's flaws

Anglicanism is one of the largest and most widely dispersed of all religious traditions. How it reached this status is replete with irony and with conflict. The origins of Anglicanism lie in the Church of England, still its largest branch and arguably its defining center. But the majority of Anglicans now reside in sub-Saharan Africa and do not speak English as their primary language. Given Anglicanism's roots, and its integration into British colonialism, the expansion of this branch of Christianity seems puzzling. Moreover, intramural Anglican conflict, from the end of colonialism onward, seemingly has torn the fabric of Anglican life. It seems problematic that this tradition, and the church bodies that represent it, will remain intact. By looking at the Church through the lens of the biblical theme of promise, this book seeks to offer neither lament for a tattered tradition nor facile hope for an expanding one. It considers the key phases of Anglican history, each defined by clear intentions, from securing English national life, to mission, to finding contextual roots in various locales. Whilst not denying that the ongoing contestation about the proper shape of Anglican faith and practice has become central, the book highlights the emergence of fresh consensus among Anglicans, centered on grassroots initiative and innovation, creating informal patterns of collaboration that can transcend context and overlook divergence.

"The heart of Anglicanism is forged in inter-cultural encounter. This book tells that story, and challenges the Church of today to embody its calling afresh ."

"If Anglicanism were a person, this would be an honest biography that embraces both hope and struggle. This biography doesn't romanticise the early years, nor does it skip over the awkward adolescent phase that Anglicanism stalls in at times: worried about relationships, authority, and, of course, sex. It is in these growing pains and inner contests, alongside worship, mission, and ministry, that the promise of Anglicanism is to be found. For as this hope-filled tour de force of Anglicanism makes clear, Anglicanism is a tradition shaped by lived experience of Christ, whose incomplete identity continues to unfold in a complex world. On the cusp of a Lambeth Conference and entering a new decade of Anglicanism, The Promise of Anglicanism could not be a better placed, nor more challenging, text for all to read."

"This is an exceptional book by two of the most gifted commentators on Anglicanism today. Robert Heaney and William Sachs have crafted an outstanding volume that explores the coherence of the global Anglican Communion, and look afresh at the challenges and opportunities presented in mission and ministry. Intellectually stimulating – and yet admirably accessible – this book is a must for all in the field of ecclesiology and those engaged in the study of Anglican polity today."

"A succinct, well crafted and edifying account about our identity as the Anglican family. I commend this apt resource to all who want to catch a glimpse of identity , promise and vocation as Anglicans. A timely book."

"...a compelling, wide-ranging and deeply informed account of the development of Anglicanism from the beginnings of Christianity to contemporary post-colonial critiques. Sachs and Heaney offer a refreshingly upbeat vision for the future of a global Communion that so often seems riven by conflict. Re-imagining Anglicanism as Catholicity from below, they emphasize the importance of context in building the community of faith. Anglicanism grows through the inevitable contestation between context and catholicity as it responds to new situations. This offers a hope-filled promise for the future as Anglicans continue to work together despite their many differences in mutual service of the Gospel."

"A magnificent review of Anglican history, highlighting the crucial contribution of African and Asian Christians to the modern Anglican Communion. Despite the fractious recent history of the Communion, the authors dare to hope that the deep Anglican sense of being "a fellowship of communities of mission practice" will overcome cultural and theological divisions between liberal and conservative, North and South. The authors quote the powerful comment of the first African Anglican Bishop, Samuel Crowther: 'if we pulled out all the logs that smoked, the food would never be cooked'. I heartily commend this book."

Introduction: Anglicanism's Dilemma ix 1. The Meaning of Promise 1 2. A Contested Genesis 26 3. Catholicity and Contextualization 57 4. Catholicity and Communion 84 5. Testing Anglican Coherence 117 6. Renewing Communion in Mission 150 7. Distinctive and Faithful Practice 182 Conclusion 220 Index 234

Promise of Anglicanism

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