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ANDREW NORMAN's view of what Anglican means is based on the history of his family and his own ministerial experience. His book would be a valuable introduction to ordinands and clergy, especially for those who have little knowledge of the last century in the history of the Anglican Church. With a cover price of £ 9.95 for a 400-page paperback, it's remarkably affordable and attractively produced.
Norman spares us none of the anxieties of Anglican life, starting with the brutal realization of the Church of England. War that the majority of soldiers were indifferent or ignorant of the basics of Christian life and worship. More recently, we are suffering the pain of the gradual dissolution of certain bonds of affection in the Anglican Communion, culminating in the failure of the Anglican Alliance, misunderstood and decried, promoted by Rowan Williams during the Archbishop of Canterbury. 19659002] Norman had a front row seat during this period while working at Lambeth Palace. His previous ministry to Paris and Christ Church, Clifton, as well as his subsequent work as director of Ridley Hall, Cambridge, means that he has a very broad perspective on Anglican life, even if it is a bit downward . Even for an old hack of Lambeth Palace like me, the trip to the world involved in the various Anglican and Ecumenical international meetings recorded here, sometimes in lakeside locations (all is not bad), can bring us to question us about reality. It seems far from being Anglican as most people of the Communion experience it.
Norman's two grandfathers served as soldiers throughout the First World War and, against all odds, survived. One became a very curious priest, in Canada, Scotland and England. His training was minimal. He was defined, even advanced, Anglo-Catholic. His other grandfather was a less practicing farmer, but illustrating the kind of compatriot for whom the Church of England was a natural habitat.
While the larger story focuses on the alienation of the religion of those who fought during the First World War I would have liked more thought on why this was not the case. Did not apply to the author's own family. The Knutsford Prison would hardly have been needed as a temporary seminar if there had not been a substantial number of men who found a vocation to the priesthood in the trenches.
Norman writes well, and there are living descriptions of the dimensions of Anglican life. a rural presbytery, a prosperous evangelical suburban church, the experience of working alongside an archbishop of Canterbury who was struggling to be an agent of international communion, and the contrasting impact of interfaith work and the Fresh expressions on the contemporary ministry
can not be blamed for its scope and ambition. Still a teacher, Norman summarizes his conclusions at the end of each chapter, a technique that is useful in a conference but seems somewhat limited here. The evidence is not entirely allowed to speak for itself
. The last chapter offers the author an account of what it means to be Anglican for him today. It identifies no less than 22 characteristics. Some are quite familiar, eg. Anglicans are formed by the scriptures; Anglicans apply reason; Anglicans respect tradition; Anglicans endorse historical beliefs. Others, such as "Anglicans welcome pioneering leadership," seem to express hope rather than a consistent reality. "Anglicans are watched by bishops" is a statement of fact, although some are angry.
Norman recognizes that Anglicanism imperfectly fulfills its detailed description. Perhaps the fallibility of the Church should have been included as an Anglican guiding principle.
The 22 characteristics express a generous orthodox Christianity, and the vast majority of them would probably be happily endorsed by many Methodists, Roman Catholics and others. Even Norman's claim that Anglicans claim only two sacraments – baptism and the Lord's Supper – as ordained by the Lord himself does not create a barrier to the existence of others. sacraments
. because Anglicanism claims to be no more than a part of the one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church. Archbishop Geoffrey Fisher said that Anglicanism had no doctrine aside from that of the Catholic Church. Norman illustrated why Fisher's claim still has resonance.
Reading this book, I learned of the death of Canon Michael Whitehead, one of the high priests of the Church of England during the past half century. He was a jewel in the diocese of Durham, and a pastoral legend in Hartlepool and Sunderland. Unquestionably formed in the Catholic tradition, it could have been produced only by the Church of England. He was both Catholic and Anglican. Although this was not the intention of the author, I think Norman explained why.
The Reverend Graham James is bishop of Norwich .
A Church Observed: Being Anglican as Times Change
Andrew Norman
Gilead Books 9.95 €
(978-0-9932090-7-9)
] Church Bookstore of Times 8,95 €
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