This is the book nobody will like. The Episcopal Church has gone crazy. We've become pigs who roll around in our own mud, and when we've finished rolling here, we roll there. Perhaps we eat a little spiritual food and then wallow back to the mud. We talk about God, mention Jesus like he's our best friend, but we act exactly like he said not to act. We are exactly who he said not to be. In this book the author employs Scripture to demonstrate that both Jesus and Paul would favor unity over division, and that the Holy Eucharist is the ultimate act of Christian unity. This book shows that, in the end, unity facilitated by love in Christ should be our goal, not righteousness. Division may be our destiny, but it is not God's will.

Description: Theologian, poet, public intellectual, and clergyman, Rowan Williams is one of the leading lights of contemporary British theology. He has published over twenty books and one hundred scholarly essays in a distinguished career as an academic theologian that culminated in his appointment as Lady Margaret Professor of Divinity at Oxford University. Williams left this post to serve in the Anglican Church, first as Bishop of Monmouth, then Archbishop of Wales, before finally being enthroned in 2003 as the 104th Archbishop of Canterbury. In this collection of essays, a talented younger generation of Australian theologians critically analyzes the themes that bind together Williams's theology. These sympathetic yet probing essays traverse the full breadth of Williams's work, from his studies on Arius, the Desert Fathers, Hegel, and Trinitarian theology to his more pastoral writings on spirituality, sexuality, politics, and the Anglican Church. Endorsements: ""I read these essays with surprise and delight. This excellent collection of constructive critical essays are a tribute both to the richness of Rowan Williams's theology and the intellectual commitment, discernment, and fairness of their authors. Highly recommended."" --Alister E. McGrath Professor of Theology, Ministry, and Education King's College, London. ""I welcome this book very warmly. It offers a thoughtful, engaging, and respectful--albeit critical--account of Rowan Williams's theology that does him justice. Even when disagreeing on crucial areas such as sexuality or war, the contributors to this fresh and well-informed book show much affection and respect for Rowan Williams himself at this difficult time for Anglicanism. Would that all debates among Christians were conducted in a similar manner."" --Robin Gill Michael Ramsey Professor of Modern Theology University of Kent, Canterbury ""Neither setting Rowan Williams's work on an implausible pedestal nor dismissing it in caricature, the essays that Matheson Russell has gathered engage the Archbishop in thoughtful and critical conversation. I found myself by turns intrigued, delighted, puzzled, convicted, and annoyed--but also repeatedly driven to think again about Williams's work and, more importantly, about the issues that his work explores."" --Mike Higton Senior Lecturer in Theology University of Exeter About the Contributor(s): Matheson Russell is Lecturer in Philosophy at the University of Auckland. He is the author of Husserl: A Guide for the Perplexed (2006), as well as essays on Heidegger, phenomenology of religion, and political theology.

The recent discovery of two manuscripts by Thomas Traherne has sparked renewed interest in the seventeenth century writer and a reappraisal of his significance not only as a poet but as a theologian and philosopher engaged in the political and social realities of his day. Happiness and Holiness includes extracts from the newest manuscripts, from better known works and from fragments and notebooks - all of Traherne's known works are represented, making this the most varied and complete collection of his writings available in a single volume. Here we see Traherne, who died at the age of 37, in all his creative genius as a visionary poet, political controversialist, contemplative, teacher, parson, amateur scientist, friend and benefactor. This volume offers for the first time an introduction to the full range of Traherne's work, and opens doors on the breadth and depth of Traherne's theology and its surprising resonance with our own times. Traherne is best known for his poetry of innocence, nature and joy, yet what we have known and loved best from his writings reveals only part of the picture. Happiness and Holiness allows a much richer and fuller understanding of Traherne to emerge. 'Traherne is poised to come into his own as a great classic of Christian thought and imagination, and this superb collection should make sure it happens sooner. Denise Inge gives the best available concise introduction to Traherne's life and work, and then offers a selection of his writing that decisively shows not only his extraordinary range as a spiritual writer, poet, philosopher, ethicist and celebrant of God and God's ways but above all the richness, liveliness and breadth of his theology. The sensitive and daring choice of extracts leads the reader into the depths of a life intensely engaged with God and with the glorious variety of creation. Again and again one is amazed at Traherne's striking relevance to the twenty-first century.' David F. Ford, Regius Professor of Divinity, University of Cambridge

For publicity events and speaking engagements, see http: //www.paulgordonchandler.com/schedule.htm. Today's tensions between the 'Islamic' East and 'Christian' West run high. Here Paul-Gordon Chandler presents fresh thinking in the area of Christian-Muslim relations, showing how Christ_whom Islam reveres as a Prophet and Christianity worships as the divine Messiah_can close the gap between the two religions. Historically, Christians have taken a confrontational or missionary approach toward Islam, leading many Muslims to identify Christianity with the cultural prejudices and hegemonic ambitions of Westerners. On the individual level, Christ-followers within Islam have traditionally been encouraged by Christians to break away from their Muslim communities. Chandler boldly explores how these two major religions_which share much common heritage_can not only co-exist, but also enrich each other. He illustrates his perspective with examples from the life of Syrian novelist Mazhar Mallouhi, widely read in the Middle East. Mallouhi, a self-identified 'Sufi Muslim follower of Christ, ' seeks to bridge the chasm of misunderstanding between Muslims and Christians through his novels.

A flower of mystical insight from 14c. England, this book records the visions and prescient theological world-view of Julian, an anchoress at Norwich. Her unique and visceral retelling of both the birthing and the dying of Christ, the first book to be written in English by a woman, has never been excelled in the clarity and eloquence of its language. Here, preserving the humility of the original in a modern idiom, is a metered poetic version of her revelations: ...she who's Mother of our Savior Is mother of all who shall be saved; And our Savior our very Mother, In whom we are endlessly born Yet never shall come out of him.

The Book of Homilies contains the authorized sermons of the Church of England. Originally published in two volumes during the reigns of Edward VI and Elizabeth I, the homilies were intended to provide for the Church a new model of simplified topical preaching, as well as to perpetuate the theology of the English Reformation.

This scarce antiquarian book is included in our special Legacy Reprint Series. In the interest of creating a more extensive selection of rare historical book reprints, we have chosen to reproduce this title even though it may possibly have occasional imperfections such as missing and blurred pages, missing text, poor pictures, markings, dark backgrounds and other reproduction issues beyond our control. Because this work is culturally important, we have made it available as a part of our commitment to protecting, preserving and promoting the world's literature.

Lancelot Andrewes (1555-1626) was a towering figure in the formative years of the Church of England. Averse to the puritanical spirit of the age, he helped to create a distinctive Anglican theology, moderate in outlook and catholic in tone. He believed that theology should be built on sound learning, he held a high doctrine of the Eucharist and he emphasised dignity and order in worship. His influence defines Anglicanism to this day.A devout scholar and gifted linguist, he served as Dean of Westminster and under James I became Bishop of Chichester, then Ely and finally Winchester. In 1604 he was appointed as one of the translators of the Authorized Version and became responsible for most of the Old Testament. It was as a preacher that he achieved the greatest fame and he was a favourite of Elizabeth I, James I and Charles I. His spiritual classic, "The Private Devotions of Lancelot Andrewes" was for personal prayer what the "Book of Common Prayer" was for the worship of the Church. Here is a wide selection from his writings and a general introduction.

DOXA (meaning 'GLORY') is an 18-week discipleship course which can be done as a whole or in sections, for example as a Lent Course or short three week Advent series. Complete with clear instructions and notes for facilitators, DOXA offers a new and different way of exploring discipleship.

The subject of infant baptism is undoubtedly a delicate and difficult one ... But this must not make members of the Church of England shrink from holding decided opinions on the subject. That church has declared plainly in its Articles that 'the baptism of young children is in any wise to be retained, as most agreeable with the institution of Christ.' To this opinion we need not be afraid to adhere." J. C. Ryle This book aims to help Anglican Evangelicals recover that same gracious yet unashamed confidence shown by Bishop Ryle in the nineteenth century. The authors defend biblically the doctrine of infant baptism and its proper evangelical practice within the Church of England. They expound a covenantal understanding which has impeccable evangelical credentials in order to reassure a new generation of Anglican Evangelical 'paedobaptists' that theirs is no new or peculiar doctrine, and to persuade those who may not have fully appreciated the Reformed heritage we in the Church of England enjoy. Dr. John R. W. Stott CBE is Rector Emeritus of All Souls, Langham Place in London and over the last 60 years has been one of the most influential leaders of evangelicalism worldwide. Dr. J. Alec Motyer is the former Principal of Trinity College, Bristol, and was for many years incumbent of St. Luke's, West Hampstead and later minister of Christ Church, Westbourne Lee Gatiss is Associate Minister of St. Helen's Bishopsgate and Editor of The Theologian (www.theologian.org.uk).

This scarce antiquarian book is included in our special Legacy Reprint Series. In the interest of creating a more extensive selection of rare historical book reprints, we have chosen to reproduce this title even though it may possibly have occasional imperfections such as missing and blurred pages, missing text, poor pictures, markings, dark backgrounds and other reproduction issues beyond our control. Because this work is culturally important, we have made it available as a part of our commitment to protecting, preserving and promoting the world's literature.

In June 2008, more than a thousand senior leaders from seventeen provinces in the Anglican Communion gathered in Jerusalem to attend the Global Anglican Future Conference and Pilgrimage (GAFCON). Together they represented some 35 million Anglicans worldwide. This preparatory document, prepared by the Theological Resource Team of GAFCON, outlines the reasons for meeting in Jerusalem, the issues at stake, and the possible ways forward.

Richard Rolle of Hampole, the first of the four great 14th century English contemplative authors, is often called, with justice, "the father of English mysticism." For him the life of contemplation was essentially a musical state, and song, rightly understood, embraced every aspect of the soul's communion with reality. Sudden outbursts of lyrical speech and direct appeals to musical imagery abound in his writings, as in those of no other mystic; and this constitutes their outstanding literary characteristic, as he declares himself at the very dawning of his mystical vision: "Looking to heaven with my whole desire, Suddenly, I know not in what manner, I felt in me upwelling noise of song, A surging, most liking, heavenly melody Which dwelt thereafter with me in my mind."

In 1898 the Church of England was shaken to its roots by the then Pope's declaration that Anglican orders of ministry were 'null and void'. This threatened to create an unbridgeable gulf between the two Churches, yet some Anglicans responded creatively by demonstrating their loyalty and fidelity to Rome - the movement was known as Anglican Papalism and it laid the foundation for new respect and fresh dialogue that culminated in the friendlier message Vatican II. Anglo-Catholic readers will value this illustrated history of a small but powerful and characterful movement within Anglo-Catholicism. MICHAEL YELTON is a County Court Judge and the author of a number of legal volumes. He has also written on ecclesiastical art and furnishings. He lives in Essex.

Lancelot Andrewes was born of honest and godly parents in 1555. In 1603 he assisted at the coronation of James I. In 1605 he was raised to be Bishop of Chichester, and he was one of the translators of the Bible in 1607. He was one of the most popular preachers of his day, and well beloved amongst the laity and the clergy alike. But for all of his worldly accomplishments, it is for his private devotions-never intended for publication-that he is best remembered. With that entrancing book open before us we search the histories and the biographies of his time; the home and the foreign politics of his time; the State papers, the Church controversies, and not least the Court scandals and the criminal reports of his time, with the keenest interest and the most solicitous anxiety. A timeless treasure of Anglican spirituality, now once again available from the Apocryphile Press.

Paying attention to the world is a particular Christian calling, and one this author is well qualified to elucidate. These writings are at the interface of the life of the Church and ordinary life, and reflect an apprenticeship as an Anglican priest, involving an exploration of the resources which the tradition offers, in order to confront certain problems in the world. This is an era in which re-imagining the role of a priest is both important, and inescapably personal, and bound up with narrative. The ideas appear in response to particular questions and contexts, such as chaplaincy, village life, and working with clergy to understand their calling. Secular themes such as power, money, sex and time run through all the writing, as well as religious themes such as Scripture, liturgy, vocation, the place of the local church, and living a Christian Life.

Pilgrimage Towards Healing and Reconciliation: A Windsor Report Study Guide is a full-length study guide of The Windsor Report 2004, drafted by The Lambeth Commission on Communion at the request of Dr. Rowan Williams, the 104th Archbishop of Canterbury. The Windsor Report is a defining theological document for the worldwide Anglican Communion. Pilgrimage Towards Healing and Reconciliation: A Windsor Report Study Guide leads readers through the Report, offering background information and commentary on its key passages. The sole aim of the book is to help make the Report's contents accessible and understandable to its readers throughout the Anglican Communion. Study questions at the end of each chapter are ideal for individuals, as well as parish and diocesan study groups. The book includes a Foreword by The Rt. Rev. Charles G. vonRosenberg, Bishop of East Tennessee.

With the Lambeth Conference of 2008 in mind, Arthur Middleton presents this timely proclamation of the need to return to a western Orthodoxy to Anglicans across the world. Canon Middleton takes us back to early principles and shows us how they still speak to us today.

"If we are to be edified by our worship, we need to think about the words we are using, so that we can make them our own." The Book of Common Prayer is a valuable teaching resource in the Church, yet because of its unusual language, it can be, in places, hard to understand. In this little booklet, Roger Beckwith takes us through the Book of Common Prayer, explaining the meanings of words and phrases to help us to understand them more fully.

This scarce antiquarian book is included in our special Legacy Reprint Series. In the interest of creating a more extensive selection of rare historical book reprints, we have chosen to reproduce this title even though it may possibly have occasional imperfections such as missing and blurred pages, missing text, poor pictures, markings, dark backgrounds and other reproduction issues beyond our control. Because this work is culturally important, we have made it available as a part of our commitment to protecting, preserving and promoting the world's literature.

This scarce antiquarian book is included in our special Legacy Reprint Series. In the interest of creating a more extensive selection of rare historical book reprints, we have chosen to reproduce this title even though it may possibly have occasional imperfections such as missing and blurred pages, missing text, poor pictures, markings, dark backgrounds and other reproduction issues beyond our control. Because this work is culturally important, we have made it available as a part of our commitment to protecting, preserving and promoting the world's literature.