Generated by All in One SEO v4.9.5.1, this is an llms.txt file, used by LLMs to index the site. # Anglicanism.org A resource for the study of Anglicanism ## Sitemaps - [XML Sitemap](https://anglicanism.org/sitemap.xml): Contains all public & indexable URLs for this website. ## Posts - [The Saint Thomas, Bodhisattva Archive: Volume II The Kingdom Mindset by Glen Grehan (Review)](https://anglicanism.org/the-saint-thomas-bodhisattva-archive) - In her Review of Glen Grehan's Volume II of the St Thomas Bodhisattva Archive, Canon Dr. Anne Davison writes: Having had a lifetime interest in comparative religion and having spent many years involved in Inter-religious dialogue, I was naturally drawn to this book and because of its title I felt that I could engage with it. This is Glen Grehan’s second book in his series The Saint Thomas, Bodhisattva Archive and the author states that some of the content of his first book (Book 1) is repeated in this second publication. Having read Volume 1, I confirm this to be the case ... The author draws very much on his own life experiences, from his childhood and adolescence, into his later involvement with law enforcement, the military and sport. This led him to a realisation that the lessons learned from his own life experiences could be helpful to young people, particularly young men. ... CLICK ON PICTURE TO CONTINUE The Saint Thomas, Bodhisattva Archive - [The Pattern of God - David Jenkins' Theology in Church and in Public Space by Richard Truss (Review)](https://anglicanism.org/the-pattern-of-god-by-richard-truss) - In her Review of 'The Pattern of God' Dr. Priscilla Chadwick writes: ‘Why does the Bishop of Durham say that Christianity requires you to believe three impossible things before breakfast?’ This question from a parishioner used to be posed to prospective Anglican ordinands and understandably generated a wide range of responses. David Jenkins had a reputation for radical thinking, engaging his theological thinking in the public arena and thereby attracting much media attention. Not many bishops featured in Private Eye or had their own Spitting Image puppet. However Richard Truss, the author of this thoughtful and well written book, realised that, although Jenkins’ legacy was not so well known to the current generation, his theological ideas were still highly relevant to contemporary society. ... CLICK ON PICTURE TO CONTINUE - [A new Archbishop and a new agenda?](https://anglicanism.org/a-new-archbishop-and-a-new-agenda) - Editorial - [Is the Iran War actually a religious one?](https://anglicanism.org/iran-war) - The Rev'd Dr. Nicholas Henderson (Editor) write in his Lenten Editorial: The Trumpian concept of regime change is more or less evidenced as a reason for the recent and ongoing unleashing of a huge onslaught on Iran. This rapidly expanding confrontation, which has already resulted in hundreds, if not thousands, of extra deaths following the recent bloody Iranian suppression of demonstrations against the current regime, seems to be running out of control. ... CLICK ON PICTURE TO CONTINUE Iran war - [Hate or Love](https://anglicanism.org/hate-or-love) - The Rt. Rev’d. Dr. Musonda Trevor Selwyn Mwamba, President of the United National Independence Party (UNIP), Zambia in a message to his fellow Zambian writes: Let me introduce you to Václav Havel’s speech, the Anatomy of Hate, delivered in Oslo in 1990 and published in his book, “The Art of the Impossible”, as Zambia finds herself drawn into a downward spiral of hate. ... His insightful speech resonates today with Zambia ... CLICK ON IMAGE TO CONTINUE - [THE LOST ROAD A Search for the Soul of the West – Sean McGrath](https://anglicanism.org/the-lost-road-a-search-for-the-soul-of-the-west-sean-mcgrath) - Hugh Valentine reviews Sean McGrath's 'The Lost Road - a Search for the Soul of the West" - he writes: Sean McGrath’s position is that the Christian West has lost familiarity with the mystical and contemplative sinews it once knew. The cost of this is a loss of depth, a depth that bestows resilience in the face of life’s exhausting and dehumanising demands. This loss, he claims, is in major part the cause of the consumerist malady that is now global. He says that it is the Christian West that has inadvertently brought that about. ... CLICK ON PICTURE TO CONTINUE THE LOST ROAD A Search for the Soul of the West – Sean McGrath - [GADFLY Paul Oestreicher reflects on being a gadfly](https://anglicanism.org/paul-oestreicher-reflects-on-being-a-gadfly) - The Rev'd Canon Paul Oestreicher reflects on being a 'gadfly' ... In 1984 my election as Bishop of Wellington in New Zealand made the English newspapers. A day or two later a postcard arrived from Francis House, whom I’d never met. It simply said “Don’t go. You are the gadfly our Church cannot do without.” I was puzzled. Who was this Francis and what is a gadfly? A gadfly, I soon learned, was a troublemaker who, more popularly, puts a cat among the pigeons ... CLICK ON PICTURE TO CONTINUE - [Loving the prophet… or maybe not? Mark Rudall explores how pastoral concern for a congregation may actually silence a prophetic voice](https://anglicanism.org/loving-the-prophet-or-maybe-not) - Loving the prophet… or maybe not? The Rev'd Mark Rudall reflects ... The Church of England has received many refugees from other traditions and I became an Anglican at the end of the 20th century when the idea of Christian life as an ongoing journey of discovery, truly a pilgrimage, took ever deeper root. Unable to espouse the ‘saved, and that’s it’ static condition so often portrayed by traditional evangelicalism, there was also an awareness after 23 years in non-conformist ministry of being in a scene that was teetering towards an unappealing and dangerous conservatism. ... CLICK ON PICTURE TO VIEW FULL ARTICLE - [Editorial: A truth universally acknowledged … too many dictators](https://anglicanism.org/too-many-dictators) - The Editor - The Rev'd Dr. Nicholas Henderson writes in his Advent Editorial - To plagiarise Jane Austen’s opening remark in her Pride & Prejudice: “It is a truth universally acknowledged …”. It is then a fact, reluctantly acknowledged by the Church, that the Christmas Season nowadays starts somewhere around the Feast of the Transfiguration 6th August and is over just after Christmas dinner....However, near universal popular sentiment does not necessarily equate to any outcome that might reflect the views of the people. CLICK ON PICTURE TO CONTINUE ... - [The Anglican Communion - A way forward](https://anglicanism.org/the-anglican-communion-a-way-forward) - Bishop Keerthisiri Fernando writes in his Letter to the Editor: It is high time for all the members of the world-wide Anglican Communion to realise the true nature of the Anglican fellowship to comprehend the tensions of the 21st century. The fact that the structure of the Anglican communion is in between the Protestant and Roman Catholic churches makes matters complicated in seeking an understanding in the context of differences of opinion in various parts of the world. ... CLICK ON PICTURE TO CONTINUE - [Book review: True Evangelical: the changing face of Anglican Evangelicalism by John Went](https://anglicanism.org/book-review-true-evangelical) - Reviewer Fr. Keith Mascord writes of John Went's 'True Evangelical': The title of Bishop John Went’s book is, I suspect, deliberately provocative. Is Went saying that he himself is a ‘true evangelical’ in contrast to others? He is certainly comfortable, even proud, to identify as an evangelical, in large part because he believes that evangelicalism has the necessary resources to accommodate a rapidly changing world... I wondered if the title might have become even more provocative, given changes now up-ending Anglicanism in all of its forms? The Gafcon initiated schism had not yet happened when True Evangelical was published ... CLICK ON PICTURE TO CONTINUE - [More tea Archbishop? - Editorial a new Archbishop of Canterbury](https://anglicanism.org/a-new-archbishop-of-canterbury) - The Editor: The Rev'd Dr. Nicholas Henderson writes: The appointment of a woman as the 106th Archbishop of Canterbury is to be welcomed. Apart from those in the more conservative wings of the Church, the choice of someone with two copies of the X chromosome is nowadays of little or no consequence. The Rt Rev’d and Rt Hon Dame Sarah Mullally the current Bishop of London fits the bill. ... She has, of course, an impossible job specification. ... “How is it that the Roman Catholics can elect a Pope in two days of conclave, whilst it has taken the Church of England almost a year?” A fair question asked of this author, who was bound to reply “… but the Archbishop of Canterbury isn’t a Pope.” Indeed far from it, the post-Reformation settlement that led eventually to the wider Anglican Communion with the Church of England having the monarch as its Supreme Governor was as a result of Protestants looking carefully at their bibles and being unconvinced of a Petrine succession. ... CLICK ON PICTURE TO CONTINUE - [Book Review: Keith Mascord “An Honest Faith: The Possible Friendship of Athens and Jerusalem’](https://anglicanism.org/an-honest-faith) - Reviewer David Ellis writes: Keith Mascord faces up to the challenge to orthodox faith put by literary-historical analysis. First he “deconstructs" the Bible as history, and then re-establishes it as “mythology”, truthful, even if not true. Then he starts a discussion about the way ahead. This book reminded me of a Pauline Epistle for example 1 Corinthians, with a personal introduction, a teaching agenda, and then some theology. But above all it is, like the Epistles, a missionary not an academic work. The Author is the yeast, sharing his own struggles as he progresses from devout Evangelical to lecturer in Philosophy, and then to an Anglican Priest delisted for his liberal views. Like Paul he attacks his enemies. ... CLICK ON PICTURE FOR FULL REVIEW An Honest Faith - [In Memoriam Bishop Kenneth Fernado](https://anglicanism.org/bishop-kenneth-fernando) - The Rev'd Marc Millimoira writes in his memorial tribute to the late Bishop Kenneth Fernando: The Right Reverend Kenneth Michael James Fernando, 13th Bishop of Colombo from 1992 to 2000, was the quintessential Audacious Anglican who always tried to hold in balance (and often in tension) the different expressions of the Anglican Way while also courageously exploring new directions in theology, mission and ministry for the Church to be relevant as it engaged in the missio dei. ... CLICK ON PICTURE TO CONTINUE - [Palestine: Inaction against Genocide and War Crimes - An Open Letter to the British Prime Minister](https://anglicanism.org/gaza-genocide-and-war-crimes) - The Public Square Group in its Open Letter to the British Primes Minister writes: We write to you as a Christian group concerned with the social, political and economic wellbeing of our nation and the wider world. Now is the time for your Government to lend support to them, doing everything necessary to relieve starvation and do everything necessary for peace, humanity, and justice in Gaza and the West Bank. ... We are appalled by the atrocities being committed by Israel in Palestine, which amount to war crimes or genocide, or both. The declared policy of the State of Israel includes - attacking innocent civilians, predominantly including women and children; - using starvation as a means of war, and that - an entire population is being driven out of their homes. CLICK ON PICTURE TO CONTINUE - [Genocide in Gaza and War Crimes in the West Bank - An Open Letter](https://anglicanism.org/genocide-in-gaza-and-war-crimes-in-the-west-bank) - In an Open Letter the Public Square Group authors write: We, along with so many of our fellow-citizens, are appalled by the atrocities being committed in Gaza and the West Bank, which is causing so much widespread starvation, death and destruction to thousands. ... It really is time for a strong public witness from our Church and nation ... CLICK ON PICTURE TO CONTINUE ... - [Are Archbishops becoming an endangered species?](https://anglicanism.org/are-archbishops-becoming-an-endangered-species) - Editorial for the Feast of SS Peter & Paul. The Editor, The Rev'd Dr. Nicholas Henderson asks: "Are Archbishops becoming an endangered species?" The Archbishop of the Church in Wales has become the latest Archbishop to resign. This has come, in what must seem to many, to be confusing and complicated circumstances surrounding events at Bangor Cathedral. It was only earlier this year that the then Archbishop of Canterbury relinquished his position early over the Makin Report, a resignation for which latterly he has expressed some misgivings. One could add former Archbishops to the list who in the last few years have ended their tenure and then lost their permissions to officiate, again for rather confusing and complicated reasons. ... In this respect do we really need an Archbishop? CLICK ON PICTURE to continue. Are Archbsihops becoming an endangered species? - [Update on the assisted dying Bill passing in UK Parliament lower House](https://anglicanism.org/assisted-dying-passes-another-hurdle-in-british-parliament) - Rabbi Jonathan Romain - Chair, Religious Alliance for Dignity in Dying writes to clergy ministerial colleagues of all faiths updating on the passage of of the assisted dying Bill in th eBritish House of Commons: Although the Bill passed, it is by no means a "done deal'. It now has to go to the Lords, although it is reasonably likely to pass there despite the attempts there will be to derail it. But even if it does go through and comes into law, there will then be an interim period of some two years (up to a maximum of four years) when practical arrangements will be put into place (training, paperwork, monitoring body etc) so that it operates smoothly and with all the necessary safeguards. If it does become law, it will be another in the series of major social changes that have occurred through Private Members Bills in recent years: abolition of capital punishment, the legalisation of abortion, the decriminalisation of homosexuality. ... CLICK ON PICTURE TO CONTINUE - [An Eastertide Message: For a better Zambia. By Trevor Mwamba](https://anglicanism.org/an-eastertide-message-for-a-better-zambia-by-trevor-mwamba) - The Rt Rev'd Trevor Mwamba, President of The United National Independence Party of Zambia (UNIP) writes in his Easter message: "The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said." (Matthew 28:5-6) The angel’s statement to the women on the day of resurrection was profound. What did it mean to the women and to generations of believers since then? More significantly what does it mean for us? ...There are three Easter challenges we wish to highlight that Zambians are faced with ... CLICK ON PICTURE TO CONTINUE An Eastertide Message: For a better Zambia. By Trevor Mwamba - [So how might the Church keep up?](https://anglicanism.org/so-how-might-the-church-keep-up) - Dr. Keven Hall writes: Matthew Syed in the Sunday Times (09/02/2025), writing of current distain for the institutions of democracy, exhorted western politicians to ‘find courage’. It might be said of church these days that, not just finding courage, but also combatting fears, are present necessities. Why do I write this? It’s all very well to make such exhortations, but how? How to find courage? How to combat fear? So how might church keep up? ... CLICK ON PICTURE TO CONTINUE - [Review: Embarrassed - Living with a faith that makes no sense to my friends](https://anglicanism.org/embarrassed-book-review) - Book review: Embarrassed by Graham Turner - Living with a faith that makes no sense to my friends Dr. Margaret Jones writes - In this memoir Graham Turner is seeking to understand his ambivalence towards the Christianity which is depicted in the structures, language and worship of today’s churches. He fears that the church has become irrelevant to most people and an embarrassment to those who seek to follow Jesus and his message of love... CLICK ON PICTURE TO CONTINUE - [Editorial: Are we our own worst enemy?](https://anglicanism.org/editorial-are-we-our-own-worst-enemy) - The Editor: the Rev'd Dr. Nicholas Henderson writes in his Lent editorial: So, a potentially ‘level-3’ threat asteroid is heading towards us at 38,000 mph with a 3.1% chance of hitting the earth. Increasingly, sophisticated astronomical observations are spotting more potential rock-like visitors coming from the region between the planets Mars and Jupiter and sometimes further afield still. Dystopian disaster movies and a better understanding of the ancient ages of the earth, on news of space debris coming our way, are always mindful of the epoch and evolutionary changing possibilities of another Dinosaur like extinction event. These usually resolve the crisis by sending a rocket to blow the culprit to smithereens (not wise) or much better to nudge a change in its trajectory. Interestingly, this latter scenario has been tried out successfully raising hopes for a safer future. Safer for what, we might reply? Very likely the rocket rescue concerned might come from a multi-billionaire with seemingly a huge amount of non-elected power. The same kind of power that could potentially turn off satellite navigation on a whim and plunge nations of the world into even more chaos. ... CLICK ON PICTURE TO CONTINUE - [Truth and Reconciliation for Today](https://anglicanism.org/truth-and-reconciliation-for-today) - The Rev'd Canon Dr. Richard Truss, Guest Editor, writes: Where is the church’s voice in public affairs? We do see occasional episcopal pronouncements, and occasional letters in the press. But most of the attention the past year, when any has surfaced at all, has not been on what the church and theology might have to say to the rest of society, but on what is seen as the dire state of the Church itself - the future of the parish, the financial crisis and even conjectures as to whether it can survive at all? - [STEALING FROM THE SARACENS How Islamic Architecture Shaped Europe by Diana Darke](https://anglicanism.org/stealing-from-the-saracens-how-islamic-architecture-shaped-europe-by-diana-darke) - Review by Rosemary Hart - [God’s Graffiti? - Guest Editorial](https://anglicanism.org/gods-graffiti-guest-editorial) - Professor Martyn Percy writes in his Guest Editorial: Undoubtedly the nation (by which I mean England) is now at a turning point in its history and culture. In 2034, the Church of England—a national Protestant church that decisively broke from Rome—will be 500 years old. Lambeth Palace has no plans to mark this event, as Anglicans are divided on whether this is their quincentenary. Some Anglicans think that the Church of England is a continuing Catholic church. That is not how the Vatican views this national Protestant denomination founded in Swiss-German Reformed theology. Unable to explain itself, the Church of England hierarchy stays quiet on such issues, doubtless hoping that keeping up appearances will obfuscate the reality. ... CLICK ON PICTURE TO CONTINUE - [Expensive votes for sale this Christmas but still no room at the inn?](https://anglicanism.org/expensive-votes-for-sale-this-christmas-but-still-no-room-at-the-inn) - The Rev'd Dr. Nicholas Henderson in his Editorial writes: During the Christmas season and on the cusp of what seems to have the potential to be an annus horribilis in 2025 news is being generated (like the carol ‘We three Kings’ “Westward leading, still proceeding”) from the United States. We learn that an unelected billionaire sidekick to the incoming/returning American President is extending his reach even unto the United Kingdom. The Reform Party a recent right-wing arrival on the British electoral scene, which specialises (like most far right parties) in agitating about immigration has apparently been offered a huge sum of money to support its electoral endeavours. Should this come about by one means or another it would seriously distort British politics and represent both foreign interference and the purchase of voting intentions. It should be noted in this respect that the precursor to the Reform Party was the Brexit Party whose eager embrace of the mantra “Take Back Control” that assisted in the disastrous exit of the United Kingdom from the European Union has reversed position by effectively being willing to cede control to the United States! ... CLICK ON PICTURE TO CONTINUE Expensive votes for sale this Christmas but still no room at the inn? - [Renewing Communion: A queering of unity and colonialism](https://anglicanism.org/renewing-communion-a-queering-of-unity-and-colonialism) - The Rev'd Dr. Charlie Bell summarises: The Anglican Communion as a trans-national and interdependent community of Christians is facing potential catastrophe. The Communion remains a creature of colonialism, both in the way it lives out its mission and in its structures. At the heart of the Communion’s breakdown in koinonia has been the ‘possibility’ of same-sex or same-gender love, something made somehow distinct and, as a result, problematised. This article considers the underlying complex dynamics of colonisation and the ongoing refusal of the Anglican Communion to engage in reflexive practice. The opportunity of redemption through queerness is identified, and the barriers to such a journey of hope in the Communion both engaged with and challenged. Similarly, the appeal to ‘unity’ is confronted and itself disrupted. Finally, the intrinsic relationship between decolonisation and queerness is identified and celebrated as a key to a healthy future for what it means to be Anglican. ... CLICK ON PICTURE TO CONTINUE Renewing Communion: A queering of unity and colonialism - [Lived Mission in 21st Century Britain – Ecumenical and Postcolonial Perspectives](https://anglicanism.org/lived-mission-in-21st-century-britain) - The Rev'd Dr. Adrian Hough in his review of 'Lived Mission in 21st Century Britain - Ecumenical and Post Colonial Perspectives' writes: This is a good book; indeed, this is a very good book and an important book. If more people were to read it than ever will and if they were to then act upon what they had read, British Society would be improved and our churches would be more vibrant and effective at sharing the Good News that God has for everyone. As the existence of editors implies, this is actually a book of essays, fifteen in all, together with an introduction and a concluding discussion. The authors come from a wide range of backgrounds and denominations (although there are rather more men than women) and they were all asked to address the subject of Mission as a lived experience. In case the reader was unaware of the distinction, the editors also make it clear that Mission is not the same as Evangelism nor is it explicitly about evangelism. ... CLICK ON PICTURE TO CONTINUE - [Archiepiscopal vacancy](https://anglicanism.org/archiepiscopal-vacancy) - The Rev'd Dr. Nicholas Henderson, Editor: Anglicanism.org writes in his latest Editorial - The recent resignation of Justin Welby as Archbishop of Canterbury, at first resisted, became almost inevitable. The astonishing and appalling nature of the sado-masochistic proclivities inflicted on well over a hundred young male victims in the UK and then in South Africa and Zimbabwe, by the late John Smyth QC in the name of religion have ensured that there would eventually be collateral damage, not least on the victims themselves. It is the Church of England under which auspices Smyth operated that must be most alarmed..... CLICK ON PICTURE TO CONTINUE - [Queer Redemption: Dr Charlie Bell](https://anglicanism.org/queer-redemption-dr-charlie-bell) - Dr. Keven Hall reviews Queer Redemption by Dr Charlie Bell: Dr Hall writes in his review of this book that Bell believes gay people don’t feel listened to in the church, not just to do with their sexuality, but about their personhoods. Not properly listened to by the majority in the Church of England, not properly listened to by its leadership. Bell sees his task as attempting to reach Christians and Christianity with how they can do better at meeting queer people 3-dimensionally. And, broadly speaking, to see how more of us can learn to live better with our complex, often difficult, psychologies and differences He seeks to return the church to the irreducible core of the life of Christ by resurrecting the best of Anglican theological method, with his use of experiences of gay people as his point of reference. ... - [Pondering the essence of worship - a reflection](https://anglicanism.org/pondering-the-essence-of-worship-a-reflection) - The Rev'd Mark - [Review: What Christ? Whose Christ? Alan Race & Jonathan Clatworthy (Editors)](https://anglicanism.org/what-christ-whose-christ) - Jason Plessas writes: For a book that sets the Nicene Creed among other things in its sights, What Christ? Whose Christ? reads in some ways like a credal rededication to the founding principles of Modern Church, the liberal Christian theological society to which its editors Alan Race and Jonathan Clatworthy belong. The pair’s introduction relays the book’s antecedence in a 1921 conference at Girton College, Cambridge, entitled ‘Christ and the Creeds’, held by a group of Anglican modernists called the Churchman’s Union which across the ‘20s “debated, and largely doubted…the physical resurrection of Jesus, the Virgin Birth, miracles and the realist and ransom doctrines of the Atonement”. Race and Clatworthy enthusiastically adopt the CU’s mantle, as the book “continues this spirit of critical enquiry first highlighted at the turn of the twentieth century and yet often still resisted at the turn of the twenty-first.” Where is this Churchman’s Union then, you might ask, if its work of the last century goes uncompleted in this one? It became ecumenical and now operates under a different name. You guessed it: it’s Modern Church, of course! In its promises of bearing the flame of theological free enquiry, What Christ? Whose Christ? does not disappoint. ... CLICK ON PICTURE TO CONTINUE - [East meets West – a reflective faith journey from China to London](https://anglicanism.org/east-meets-west-a-reflective-faith-journey-from-china-to-london) - Jenny Clarke writes: I was brought up as an atheist. I remember that at the age of 10, I made a vow to devote my life to communism, and I received a red scarf, which signifies my status as a member of the Young Pioneers of China. In a way, this ceremony is very similar to a standard confirmation service in my church. We had 12 children from the local parish school confirmed on 12th May 2024, but I hardly saw them afterwards in the church on Sundays. This is not a criticism. Turning up to Sunday mass week by week requires sacrifice. Those youngsters will have had to miss football clubs, Sunday TV, weekends away or other fun. Sometimes, I struggle to go to mass, so I shouldn’t offer to take the speck out of others' eyes before taking out the beams of my own. ... CLICK ON PICTURE TO CONTINUE - [Review: The Holiness of Ordinary People - by Madeleine Delbrêl](https://anglicanism.org/the-holiness-of-ordinary-people) - Kathryn Rose writes: Madeleine Delbrêl's *The Holiness of Ordinary People* offers a profound exploration of spirituality in everyday life, providing readers with an insightful reflection on how ordinary people can live out their faith in the world. Delbrêl, a French Catholic social worker, writer, and mystic, draws from her own life experiences working in the streets of Ivry, a working-class suburb of Paris, to share her observations on the holiness found in the mundane. ... CLICK ON PICTURE TO CONTINUE - ["From Pakistan to the UK: A Christian Woman’s Journey of Faith, Perseverance, and Renewal"](https://anglicanism.org/from-pakistan-to-the-uk) - Sabeeta Mushtaq writes of her faith journey: ... I was born and raised in Pakistan, a Muslim country, into a Catholic Christian family. Growing up as a religious minority in a society where Islam is the dominant faith was a unique experience that came with its own set of challenges and blessings. Despite facing discrimination and social barriers, my faith and upbringing instilled in me a keen sense of purpose and determination that propelled me forward. My early education was in Pakistan, where I worked hard to excel in my studies despite the obstacles. As a Christian in a Muslim-majority country, I encountered moments of marginalization, but I refused to let those experiences define or limit me. Instead, they fuelled my resolve to not only succeed but to advocate for others in similar situations. ... CLICK ON PICTURE TO CONTINUE - [When will it ever end?](https://anglicanism.org/war-in-the-holy-land) - The Editor: The Rev'd Dr. Nicholas Henderson writes in the latest Editorial - On Saturday 7th October 2023 the fifth war of the Gaza/Israel conflict began when Hamas-led militant groups led a surprise attack on Israel. This resulted in the deaths of 1,915 Israeli and foreign nationals including 815 civilians. Further, 251 hostages were taken captive into Gaza with the stated aim to release Palestinian prisoners and detainees. ... The Israeli reprisal invasion of Gaza that followed has resulted in the deaths of over 40,000 Palestinians and enormous destruction of property and homes in Gaza. The subsequent steady enlargement of the conflict from both sides has continued in a steady escalation of the war with incursions by the Israelis into both Gaza, the West Bank and Lebanon. This has drawn the Shiite powerful non-state militia Hezbollah into the conflict and the background influence of Iran has become increasingly obvious. ...CLICK ON PICTURE TO CONTINUE - [Roman coins in the Gospels and their significance, or Bringing the Gospels up to date --- through coins](https://anglicanism.org/roman-coins-in-the-gospels-and-their-significance-or-bringing-the-gospels-up-to-date-through-coins) - Dr. Richard Reece writes: We see inflation everywhere, but because it is a particularly present problem we tend to ignore its effects in published commentaries. This means that early translations of the Gospels have an unfortunate effect on our picture of the time of Jesus. In the earliest translations it was reasonable, if a little 'antiquarian', to equate the Roman denarius often mentioned in the Gospels with the silver penny. But that has stuck so that the sermon or homily can seriously suggest that the value of the coin remains 1p. Brave commentators realise that things need to be brought up to date ... - [A new way of reading John](https://anglicanism.org/reading-john) - The Rev'd Andy Rowland writes: By disregarding the Bible’s divisions into chapters, we can recapture some of the impact that John in particular made on his first audiences. The shorter letters at the end of the New Testament may give a clue as to the natural length of a piece of writing in the early church, and how that might be used to re-read John. ... - [Democracy a Fragile Flower?](https://anglicanism.org/democracy-a-fragile-flower) - The Editor, The Rev'd Dr. Nicholas Henderson writes in his Editorial: At the heart of any democratic system of government must lie the ability for the ‘will of the people’ to express their preferences in an orderly and fair election. This in turn should be followed by a smooth and peaceful transition of power from one leadership group to another. That’s the minimalist principle which vests state power in the people. However, it’s not always as easy as that and despite this being a year of elections in a host of countries we seem to be drifting towards elective autocracy ... - [An epistle to Zambians: A Centennial Birthday Tribute to President Kenneth David Kaunda.](https://anglicanism.org/kenneth-kaunda) - Bishop Trevor Mwamba, President of the United National Independence Party (UNIP) Zambia writes: In life it’s edifying to remember those who have inspired us to be noble and President Kaunda was such an inspiration. Sunday 28th April 2024 marks the centennial birthday of President Kenneth David Buchizya Mutepa Kaunda, our Founding Father and First President of Zambia. In celebrating the centennial of his birthday we thank God for the life and gifts He endowed President Kaunda with, making him a great statesman of our time who enriched Zambia, Africa, and the world, as a peacemaker. A peacemaker who sought love where there was hatred; unity where there was division; and peace where there was war. As a peacemaker he led Zambia’s struggle for independence. And on attaining independence, spearheaded our economic, educational, industrial, technical, and scientific development, that his name became synonymous with Zambia. ... - [PENTECOST: The encirclement of the Spirit](https://anglicanism.org/pentecost) - Anthony Woollard in his Guest Editorial writes: Turning and turning in the widening gyre, The falcon cannot hear the falconer. Things fall apart – the centre cannot hold – Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world…… Thus wrote W B Yeats, in the middle of the First World War and the Irish revolution. And it seems today that the world has circled back to just such a time. No centre – no purpose – “mere anarchy”, from Gaza to Ukraine to other parts of Europe (including the UK) and the US. And if we take the Falconer to be that mystery that we call God, and the Falcon to be the human race, it is all too clear that the latter “cannot hear” the former. ... - [Vile Bodies - The Body in Christian Teaching, Faith and Practice](https://anglicanism.org/vile-bodies-the-body-in-christian-teaching-faith-and-practice) - Dr. Gill Atkinson writes in her review of Adrian Thatcher's book: “Vile Bodies” is an extraordinarily well researched and in-depth study. As the title suggests the book is an account of the human body as a disgusting thing in Christian teaching, faith and practice; the term “vile” used by St Paul to describe his own body. An historical, theological and sociological approach is taken to the examination of cultural norms, taboos and practices which have resulted from, and fed into, Church scripture and teachings. In the introduction the author tells us that, the all-powerful idea in the Christian tradition that the body is vile has had a huge negative influence on millions of people past and present and that the purpose of the book is to explore why this happened, continues to happen and what can be done about it. ... - [Egregious omicron?](https://anglicanism.org/egregious-omicronuntil-recently-the-word-egregious-has-been-one-of-the-lesser-used-adjectival-descriptions-of-conspicuously-bad-and-flagrant-behaviour-in-the-lexicon-of-everyday-use) - Christmas Editorial 2021: The Rev'd Dr. Nicholas Henderson - Editor - Until recently, in the lexicon of everyday use, the word ‘egregious’ has been one of the lesser-used adjectival descriptions of conspicuously bad and flagrant behaviour. ... - [A LATTER DAY PAUL WRITING TO HIS FRIENDS NEAR AND FAR FROM WELLINGTON, AOTEAROA](https://anglicanism.org/a-latter-day-paul-writing-to-his-friends-near-and-far-from-wellington-aotearoa) - Paul Oestreicher writes: This seems a good moment gratefully to share with you some of the milestones on my pilgrimage, as my OBE citation says, for ‘peace, human rights, reconciliation, and the Church’. These are the things that will continue to motivate me. ... - [That's one small, timid step for the Church of England.](https://anglicanism.org/thats-one-small-timid-step-for-the-church-of-england) - The Editor: The Rev'd Dr. Nicholas Henderson writes - The Church of England has almost concluded a long and at times tedious ‘Living in Love and Faith’ process of discernment and consultation regarding gay relationships and essentially about whether to allow these to be consummated in Christian marriage. Now the House of Bishops have effectively short-circuited the final decision, meant to be decided by the General Synod in February 2023, by pronouncing that they will not change the Church’s fundamental teaching “that holy matrimony is between one man and one woman for life.” ... - [Review - ENGLISH VICTORIAN CHURCHES: Architecture, Faith, & Revival by James Stevens Curl](https://anglicanism.org/review-english-victorian-churches-architecture-faith-revival-by-james-stevens-curl) - Conservation Architect John Woodcook reviews: ENGLISH VICTORIAN CHURCHES: Architecture, faith & revival by James Stevens Curl. - Never has this book been so needed! Over 20 years after the publication of Simon Jenkins' England’s Thousand Best Churches, this volume again brings to the attention of a wider readership the richness of ecclesiastical architecture. The intervening years have not been kind to our church heritage or indeed the role of the Church as an institution in society generally. ...A - ['In God we Trust' - Editorial, Easter 2023](https://anglicanism.org/in-god-we-trust-editorial-easter-2023) - The Editor,The Rev'd Dr. Nicholas Henderson writes in the Easter Editorial: ‘In God we Trust’– a phrase that appears on American banknotes and coinage – was first approved by Congress in 1864 during the American Civil War. The provenance of the phrase isn’t biblical but comes rather from the American National Anthem, a stanza at the end of the fourth and final rarely sung verse: “And this be our motto: In God is our trust. And the Star-Spangled Banner in triumph shall wave, O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave.” The anthem is itself an exposition of a poem ‘The Defence of Fort McHenry’ by Frances Scott Key during the War of 1812 against the British. It seems today that the banknote rather than the motto has elicited more faith than a sinking conventional religious affiliation and patriotism. ... - [Addressing God ... Guest Editorial](https://anglicanism.org/addressing-god-guest-editorial) - Guest Editor, Michael Collins writes: It has been well observed that fidelity to tradition must be a creative fidelity. That prompts me as an historian to reflect on what tradition really is and how it comes to be. This question is of fundamental importance to those Anglicans especially who locate themselves in the catholic wing of the Church, since Tradition along with the Bible and Reason, serves as one of the sources of Anglican theology supplementary to Scripture and hence to teaching and practice. Thus, we must ask what we are being faithful to, and what is its character? To what extent is Tradition a product of history and thus in principle mutable, and to what extent is it a source of revelation independent of the Bible? For many catholic-inclined Anglicans, the Bible indeed, rather than an ahistorical deposit, is itself part of Tradition. Anglicans assert that Tradition cannot be in conflict with Scripture and if it appears to be must be reconciled with Scripture or corrected by Scripture. That position in turn invites the question of what we take Scripture to be because at the root of all these discussions is the human quest for certainty in religion and hence of the locus of authority. ... - [REVIEW: God Interrogated - Reinterpreting the Divine by Lynne Renoir](https://anglicanism.org/review-god-interrogated-reinterpreting-the-divine-by-lynne-renoir) - In this Review Rosalind Lund writes: Lynne Renoir grew up in a deeply conservative Christian home and spent the first fifty years of her life deeply committed to the Christian Faith. However, despite believing that Christianity is true, she did not experience any sort of transformation, ... - [The rise and rise of autocracy](https://anglicanism.org/the-rise-and-rise-of-autocracy) - The Editor - The Rev'd Dr. Nicholas Henderson writes: Democracy is the de jure status of the world with only Saudi Arabia, Oman, the United Arab Emirates, Brunei, Afghanistan and the Vatican not claiming that system. The question must therefore arise as to what democracy really is? ... - [Comprehensive Anglicanism: antipodean initiatives](https://anglicanism.org/comprehensive-anglicanism-antipodean-initiatives) - Bishop Stephen Pickard writes: In 2023 a number of concerned Anglicans from around Australia formed the National Comprehensive Anglicanism Network (NCAN). At the heart of this initiative was a concern for the church’s unity and witness to the gospel in a time of controversy, fracture and division. With this in mind NCAN has been established to support communication across local churches, agencies and individuals; to encourage grass roots Anglicans through resources relevant to Anglican life, ... - [REVIEW: The Precarious Church - Redeeming the Body of Christ by Martyn Percy](https://anglicanism.org/review-the-precarious-church-redeeming-the-body-of-christ-by-martyn-percy) - Sebastian Satkurunath writes: I wanted to like this book; I really did. The stated premise, that church is at its best when it is outward focused and trusting in God to provide rather than prioritising its own security in the form of financial resources and numerical growth, is a compelling and appealing one, and thoroughly in the spirit of the sermon of the mount (Mt 6.25-34). What’s more, there are clearly many ways in which the Church of England fails to meet this ideal, ... - [Editorial: The next forty years and the end of mainstream Christianity?](https://anglicanism.org/the-next-forty-years-and-the-end-of-mainstream-christianity) - The Editor, the Rev'd Dr. Nicholas Henderson writes: According to an article recently published in the U.K. Church Times an analysis of R-number modelling, as used during the Covid crisis, which calculates the growth or contraction rates of events and institutions, has given the Church of England a “reproduction potential” R number of 0.9. In short this means that at current rate of decline the Church will cease to exist in 2062. ... - [Open Letter on Assisted Dying 27th September 2023](https://anglicanism.org/dignity-in-dying-open-letter) - Rabbi Jonathan Romain (Chair - Dignity in Dying) writes an Open Letter: Dear colleagues, If you have not already come across them, I thought you might like to see two news items: ... - [In the 75th year anniversary of The Universal Declaration of Human Rights - a perspective on the emergence of BRICS in a changing world](https://anglicanism.org/a-reflection-on-brics) - Bishop Trevor Mwamba, President of the United National Independence Party (UNIP) Zambia writes: The German word, Zeitgeist, aptly describes the emergence of BRICS grouping of nations. Zeitgeist encapsulates the spirit or mood of a particular period of history rooted in the ideas and beliefs of the time. ... - [The frog in the pan – reflections on the ‘culture of church’](https://anglicanism.org/the-fog-in-the-pan-reflections-on-the-culture-of-church) - Bishop Robert Paterson writes: “Increasingly, the culture of ‘church’, particularly in those churches that are old and hard of hearing, is alien to most people. Most people do not customarily gather on Sunday mornings to sing in chorus with others, handling books (let alone several of them), sitting on wooden benches in cool buildings, ... - [Thinking Biblically About Climate Change](https://anglicanism.org/thinking-biblically-about-climate-change) - The Rev'd Prof David P. Gushee writes: I am a Christian ethicist, and a pastor, and wearing both hats I have been asked to address climate change. I understand that this church, and other churches in the region, have committed to the eco-church movement. A great commitment. Today let us think about how scripture can inform such a commitment in the current moment. ... - [Editorial: Call a ceasefire!](https://anglicanism.org/call-a-ceasefire-now) - The Editor, The Rev'd Dr. Nicholas Henderson writes: The long war in Ukraine has been put quietly to one side by the press, public media and politicians even though a relentless battle continues. That conflict precipitated by a much larger country invading a smaller has become a stalemate war of attrition and gone off the front pages. ... - [RELIGION & SECULARISM – a reflection](https://anglicanism.org/religion-secularism-a-reflection) - The Rt Rev'd Dr. Keerthisiri Fernando writes: There is an impression today that in Britain many sociologists studying religion are preoccupied with debates on secularisation, modernism and postmodernism theories, to prove or disprove the significance of religion in modern British society. This has been happening in the context of some conflict between religion and secularisation. ... - [The Ambiguous Legacy of John Henry Newman](https://anglicanism.org/the-ambiguous-legacy-of-john-henry-newman) - Kings, - [Expect the unexpected](https://anglicanism.org/expect-the-unexpected) - In his New Year Editorial the Rev'd Dr.Nicholas Henderson writes: Bethlehem closed down for Christmas, Ukraine brings the season forward from 7th January to 25th December and hardly anything left standing in Gaza. Political will to resolve what is becoming a very uncertain New Year appears to be weakening. ... - [Woke Wars](https://anglicanism.org/woke-wars) - The Editor, The Rev'd Dr. Nicholas Henderson writes in his Editorial: The etymology of the adjective ‘woke’ is interesting, not least as the word seems central to the so-called culture wars currently ranging in the United States and in many other countries, including the United Kingdom. ... - [Rough sleeping in an election year](https://anglicanism.org/rough-sleeping-in-an-election-year) - Civil & Human Rights - [No Tongues: what prayer ministry and a new colleague accidentally taught me about the Book of Common Prayer](https://anglicanism.org/no-tongues-what-prayer-ministry-and-a-new-colleague-accidentally-taught-me-about-the-book-of-common-prayer) - Jonathan Pease writes: ‘I can see a chapel from my window.’ Such was the standard response of the Cambridge undergraduate to being asked to declare one’s ‘religious views’ on Facebook. Some years later, from the 13th floor of a 1965 concrete apartment block on an east London A-road, I gaze down on an ex-seafarers’ chapel, set against a backdrop of ten-mile views out to where the golden evening brightens in the West. Now a thriving Charismatic operation, to which the flat I sit in belongs, this church entered a year ago into partnership with a liturgical church in the same Deanery, promising resource and revitalisation. I was flattered to be asked to help with this: apparently a natural extension of my adventures to date with choirs, church music and liturgy in London’s East End. ... - [REVIEW: Anthony Swindell, Going to Extremes in Biblical Rewritings: Radical Literary Retellings of Biblical Tropes](https://anglicanism.org/review-anthony-swindell-going-to-extremes-in-biblical-rewritings-radical-literary-retellings-of-biblical-tropes) - Jonathan Clatworthy writes in his review: This book illustrates the literary reception of the Bible. The ‘extremes’ are the freedom which many writers bring to rewriting biblical stories. Some rewritings are antagonistic to the biblical text, the ‘hypotext’. Some use it as a departure point for a quite different development. Some amplify the hypotext, some condense it. There are prequels and sequels. Some change the tone, making it tragic or comic. Some give greater emphasis to minor biblical characters, or introduce new characters. Sometimes the viewpoint of the narration changes. For example The Dream of the Rood moves the viewpoint of the Crucifixion from that of an onlooker to that of the cross. ... - [An All-Purpose Saint for the Church of England: The Post-Reformation Evolution of the Cult of St George](https://anglicanism.org/an-all-purpose-saint-for-the-church-of-england-the-post-reformation-evolution-of-the-cult-of-st-george) - Michael Collins - [Democratic Deficit?](https://anglicanism.org/democratic-deficit) - The Editor, The Rev'd Dr. Nicholas Henderson writes in his Editorial post, Lent 2023: ‘Gerrymandering’ is the political manipulation of electoral boundaries with the intent of creating an undue advantage for a political party or faction. These days it might also be extended to describe generically other associated practices to the same end. ... Whilst currently busy assessing the recent decision published by the House of Bishops and welcomed by the General Synod to enable same-sex couples to come to church after a civil marriage or partnership to give thanks, dedicate their relationship to God and receive God’s blessing - even the Church of England, cannot be accused of gerrymandering. At least not in terms of its electoral process, which has long used a system of Proportional Representation for its elections – the precise form being STV (Single Transferable Vote). ... Not fraudulent, but certainly unfair, the system as used in the United Kingdom for parliamentary elections remains that of the so-called ‘first past the post’ (FPTP) where winner takes all regardless of how low a percentage actually voted for the candidate. This has produced some seriously skewed results. For example, the Johnson-led conservative victory at the 2020 general election produced a large parliamentary majority of 80 seats – hailed a great mandate and the will of the people on what was actually only 43.6% of the popular vote. Clearly, this system often effectively negates the wishes of a majority of voters. ... The use of voter ID is in itself no bad thing, if it ensures democracy rather than distorting it. Nevertheless, there is a legitimate concern even if the scheme may in practice backfire and in practice remove the vote from the very people it is meant to encourage . In short and in practice it looks like a subtle variation of gerrymandering. ... - [A Marian Odyssey](https://anglicanism.org/a-marian-odyssey) - Professor James Stevens Curl writes on the origins and enduring status of Marian devotions: Having spent a considerable part of a life immersed in ecclesiology in rural England, I could hardly be left unaware of the remaining legacy of the widespread devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary that had managed to survive the iconoclasm of the 16th and 17th centuries, not just in terms of the enormous numbers of churches given Her name, but the evidence that remained in sculptures, symbols, glass, illuminated manuscripts, and music. ... As the Christian Church developed its rituals, terms such as eucharistia and ecclesiæ would have been familiar to devotees of Isis and Serapis, so the move from the Nilotic religions to that of Christ would not have been a huge jump for an Isiac in the Græco-Roman world. With the acceptance of Egyptian deities into the Roman religious systems, a certain blurring of identities occurred (the association of Isis with Diana of Ephesus is just one example), and it was nothing extraordinary to see Isis/Diana/Hathor/Aphrodite as a prototypical Madonna. There were precedents in plenty. ... This blurring continued after Christianity had become the State Religion, and the fact that Isis shares so many titles and attribute with the Madonna cannot be overlooked. Isis continued to attract her devotees, and her symbols, including the lily and the fountain, proliferated, as did her names. Significantly, the cult of the Virgin Mary dates from a time very near the period of the destruction of the Alexandrian Serapeion and other Nilotic shrines. The Gnostics held that Isis and the Virgin Mary shared attributes, and when the dogma of the All-Holy Virgin Mother of God was adopted in 431 at Ephesus (of all places), the theologians could not have been unaware of the importance of Isis and of Diana, the Great Goddess. Indeed, the Council of Ephesus, anxious to resolve the Nestorian controversy, first gave official recognition to the elevation of Christ’s Mother, and in so doing acknowledged the position of Isis throughout the civilised world, for such an œcumenical goddess was a challenge to Christianity and its ascetic philosophies that were repugnant to many in the Empire. ... - [Pope Benedict XVI and Modernism—an assessment](https://anglicanism.org/pope-benedict-xvi-and-modernism-an-assessment) - Professor James Stevens Curl assesses Pope Benedict XVI in the light of today's modernism: The death of Joseph Maria Aloisius Ratzinger (1927-2022), who reigned as Pope Benedict XVI from 2005 until 2013, triggered various sobering thoughts in these benighted times. A diligent scholar, with a fine mind, he was unusual: a Pope of Æsthetics, a lover of Bach and Mozart, he reminded an increasingly ugly and debased world that there is such a thing as beauty, a term which Modernism denies has any validity, because relativism has devalued it, even questioned its very existence. He connected the Church with Art, championed Latin and Tradition, and valued the Tridentine Mass. Given that Southern Germany possesses a wealth of delicious Baroque and Rococo churches, the architectural parallels of the music of Bach and Mozart, it is hardly surprising that Ratzinger responded to their astonishing, joyous, exquisite beauty. ... - [Mary Magdalene - exemplar](https://anglicanism.org/mary-magdalene-exemplar) - Guest Editorial - The Rev`d Christina Rees C.B.E. - Feast of St Mary Magdalene 22nd July 2020 - [Navigating the Church of England - a woman's journey](https://anglicanism.org/navigating-the-church-of-england-a-womans-journey) - The Rev'd Professor June Boyce-Tillman - [Some Anglican Social Responses Countering the Thatcherite Socio-economic Dogmatism: A reading by an outsider with an inside-insight](https://anglicanism.org/some-anglican-social-responses-countering-the-thatcherite-socio-economic-dogmatism-a-reading-by-an-outsider-with-an-inside-insight) - Dr. Shanthikumar Hettiarachchi - In this article Dr. Hettiarachchi revisits ‘the recent British past’, particularly the late 1990s when he lived in the British Isles. This may seem like 30-year-old history, but the impact seems perennial. - [World Congress of Faiths - Spirituality and Ecology: Religious Wisdom for the Future - Review of online Conference 29th April 2021](https://anglicanism.org/world-congress-of-faiths-spirituality-and-ecology-religious-wisdom-for-the-future-review-of-online-conference-29th-april-2021) - Jenny Kartupelis reports: Spirituality and Ecology: Religious Wisdom for the Future - The UK-based World Congress of Faiths, in collaboration with the Parliament of the World’s Religions, held an on-line conference on 29 April to explore the interplay between spirituality and ecology. - [Sermon given Sunday 21st November Choral Evensong St Bride’s Church, Fleet Street, London](https://anglicanism.org/sermon-given-sunday-21st-november-choral-evensong-st-brides-church-fleet-street-london) - In a sermon given on Sunday 21st November 2021 in St Bride's Church, Fleet Street, London. The Rev'd Dr. Jeffrey Lake reflects on the recent Cop26 meeting in Glasgow. - [Book review. My Journey as a Religious Pluralist: A Christian Theology of Religions Reclaimed - Alan Race](https://anglicanism.org/book-review-my-journey-as-a-religious-pluralist-a-christian-theology-of-religions-reclaimed-alan-race) - The Rev'd Dr. Peniel Rajkumar writes: Few theologians have approached the many questions and challenges that religious plurality poses for Christian theologies of religions with such honesty and depth as Alan Race. Never the one to dodge difficult questions, Race has both problematised as well as probed, with passion and profundity, a wide-range of themes and questions that are concomitant to Christian understanding and engagement with other religions - [Recent debates on same-sex partnerships – Part one of a two-part study](https://anglicanism.org/recent-debates-on-same-sex-partnerships-part-one-of-a-two-part-study) - The Rev'd Jonathan Clatworthy concludes: I therefore believe the Church of England’s leadership is trying to do the impossible. No institution can be run on the basis of the two competing epistemologies we have inherited from the Reformation. Either it can be run on the basis that biblical texts, read literally, determine what all true Christians must believe, or it can be run on the ‘classic Anglican’ basis in which the Bible, the Christian tradition and the reasoning powers of the current Church all play a part. It is impossible to run the same church in both ways at once. What the Church of England needs now is not better management techniques or better reconciliation processes, but better theology ... - [A response to ‘The Church of England’s Doctrine of Marriage’, +Fulham et al](https://anglicanism.org/a-response-to-the-church-of-englands-doctrine-of-marriage-fulham-et-al) - The Rev'd Dr. Charlie Bell responds to the fourteen bishops who have published a defence of 'traditional' marriage: I thought it might be useful to offer a few thoughts on the most recent paper by a number of bishops, of differing theologies and yet in opposition to same-sex marriage. It’s notable that these bishops come from different theological stables, which probably does give some indication as to why the resulting theology here is so disappointingly light and unconvincing. It appears to lack a coherence theological thread and suffers because of it. Nonetheless, it is good that bishops are finally willing to say what they think – even if we might disagree with it. The risk of saying what you think, of course, is that your arguments are open to challenge. This is my small offering in that regard. ... - [The House of Bishops on gay marriage – Part two of a two-part study](https://anglicanism.org/the-house-of-bishops-on-gay-marriage-part-two-of-a-two-part-study) - In this second contribution to the current debate on gay marriage and the C of E's House of Bishops Report, the Rev'd Jonathan Clatworthy concludes: Reflecting on that whole history of church teaching about sexual ethics, one cannot help noticing that the changes since the early 1960s have been remarkably fast. I suspect this means three things. Firstly, the changes have been much needed. Secondly, younger people find it hard to understand why their parents and grandparents behaved as they did. Thirdly, we are left with much unfinished business. A century ago, there was a clearly understood ethical tradition about sex: it was only for childbearing within marriage. That tradition was sanctioned by a widely accepted moral authority, the Christian churches. Now, there is no clearly understood ethical system. If any principle is emerging as a criterion of acceptable sex, it is simply consent between the parties. In the process, the moral authority of the churches has collapsed. So far, nothing has replaced it. As long as the ecclesiastical leadership continues to tear itself apart over gay marriage, the general public cannot forget why the churches are no longer seen as a moral authority. ... - [Proclaiming the gospel of salvation](https://anglicanism.org/proclaiming-the-gospel-of-salvation) - In a 'Letter to the Editor', Vivienne Hayward responds to The Rev'd Dr. Canon Hayley Matthews' recently published paper 'Towards a radical theology of lay ministry': As a cradle Anglican and a lay woman I strongly affirm Canon Hayley Matthew’s post Towards a Radical Theology of Lay Ministry in which she describes ‘disciples mak[ing] disciples, through service to their communities, exemplary work ethics, pastoral care, lunchtime conversations about where we went last weekend, seasons of invitation and kindly cards of condolence—nothing ground breaking at all, in fact, just the gentle lapping of a love that will not let us go.’ ‘This is the essence of Lay Ministry,’ she says, ‘to bring the Gospel to wherever we are ... by being the Good News wherever we are placed.’ As a teacher I also strongly affirm that ‘it is vitally important to develop a solid foundation for our faith internally if we are to express it externally, but equally important that we are then disciples with a confident grasp of the Gospel. Consequently, we can have those awkward conversations over the water cooler about why someone’s parent is suffering so as their life nears its end, or how God can let their colleague’s child succumb to cancer.’ No Anglican that I know would dispute this. The question is, though, ‘to what end?’ about which there is certainly no consensus. Central to this difference of understanding is the meaning of ‘salvation’. ... - [Towards a Radical Theology of Lay Ministry](https://anglicanism.org/towards-a-radical-theology-of-lay-ministry) - The Rev'd Canon Dr. Hayley Matthews writes:Having been in lay leadership for over two decades, I clearly recall the moment I reverenced the altar, glanced up at Jesus wrought in stunning stained glass and turned to walk towards my stool. Be-robed, cope and all, I turned to see two hundred+ laity in the congregation before me, Servers to left and right, vergers standing stall, all eyes on me as I took my first steps towards inhabiting my priesthood. The words ‘this is what I was born to do’ appeared in my mind like a ray of sunshine through a steel-grey sky. Just as quickly, I was unexpectedly flooded with a sense of God’s Spirit and I had an almost ominous sense that all are called towards ‘this point’ of commitment in our discipleship which shifted the focus from all eyes on me, to my eyes on all of them. Certain that we aren’t all called to ordination, but equally bemused by the experience, in those five long meters between altar and nave I had come to the fullness of entering my priesthood along with a blinding revelation that all laity should reach the point of knowing the fullness of their own vocations in Christ. Every baptised Christian should reach pivotal moments of discipleship that required as full a commitment, dedication and public affirmation as those surrendering to the priesthood, each equally celebrated by the Church. - [Dreaming of World Peace](https://anglicanism.org/dreaming-of-world-peace) - Bishop Trevor Mwamba writes: In October 1962 the United States and the Soviet Union wobbled dangerously close towards a nuclear war caused by the Cuban Missile crisis. However, because of intelligent leadership the catastrophe was avoided. The Soviet Union had placed missiles in Cuba after the United States had placed Jupiter missiles in Turkey and Italy. To resolve the crisis a secret pact was agreed in which the Soviet Union removed their missiles from Cuba and the United States quietly from Turkey and Italy months later. Being a secret pact many in the West thought the Americans won the confrontation through an unrelenting display of power and the threat of nuclear escalation. To the contrary a nuclear war was prevented because of compromise on both sides. It was possible because both President John F. Kennedy and Chairman Khrushchev in good faith were able to negotiate with each. This good faith is reflected in a letter Mrs Jacqueline Kennedy wrote to Chairman Nikita Khrushchev on December 1st 1963. It was one of her last nights in the White House after the assassination of her husband. It’s inspiring, it’s elegant, it’s moving, especially in its idea of big men and little men and the consequences of leadership thereof. ... - [… but will it snow this Christmas?](https://anglicanism.org/but-will-it-snow-this-christmas) - The Rev'd Dr.Nicholas Henderson - Editor writes: ... but will it snow this Christmas? This is … A perennial question, usually on the lips of children but also adults who long for the delight of a seasonal covering - as long as it keeps off the roads. These days it is more often the lack of weather conducive to snowfall that troubles us most. Melting glaciers, droughts, excessive rainfall, storms, heatwaves and slowing ocean currents, all associated indisputably with human induced climate change are more the problem that afflicts us. True there are some still left for whom this can be explained away as anything but our massive despoliation of the planet with excessive emissions largely down to the burning of fossil fuel. There are also those who argue enthusiastically, with great conviction that the earth is flat and for numerous other conspiracy theories, but it still doesn’t snow as often or as much as it used to. Beyond a wistful seasonal and festive Christmas card desire for snow, this winter will be extremely difficult for those suffering bombing and missile attacks in the European backyard of Ukraine. Pictures of families huddled in freezing makeshift shelters are stark evidence of an absence of the angels’ song ‘Peace on Earth, goodwill to all.’ ... - [The Latitude of the Church of England](https://anglicanism.org/the-latitude-of-the-church-of-england) - The Rev’d Professor Diarmaid N.J. MacCulloch, Kt, DD, FBA - [The Church of England's Response to Religious Pluralism](https://anglicanism.org/the-church-of-englands-response-to-religious-pluralism) - Canon Dr. Anne Davison - [Putting the English Reformation on the map](https://anglicanism.org/putting-the-english-reformation-on-the-map) - The Rev’d Professor Diarmaid N.J. MacCulloch, Kt, DD, FBA - [A Quantitive Study of Lay Anglican Ecclesiology](https://anglicanism.org/a-quantitive-study-of-lay-anglican-ecclesiology) - - An analysis of research across five Anglican Provinces. The Rev’d Dr. Nicholas Henderson, April 2010 - [The Reckoning – Will the Church of England Survive?](https://anglicanism.org/the-reckoning-will-the-church-of-england-survive) - Jane Ozanne - [Christian dogma and free enquiry](https://anglicanism.org/christian-dogma-and-free-enquiry) - Guest Editorial - The Rev'd Jonathan Clatworthy - Mid Lent 2021 - [A Letter from Malawi](https://anglicanism.org/a-letter-from-malawi) - The Rev'd Fr. Daniel H. Chunga (November 2020) - [Whither Christendom in the New Year?](https://anglicanism.org/whither-christendom-in-the-new-year) - Editorial - The Rev'd Dr. Nicholas Henderson - New Year 2021 Historically ‘Christendom’ has had an approximation to the geographical area covered by the current European Union ... - [The Apostolic Constitution ‘Anglicanorum coetibus’ of Pope Benedict XVI from an Anglican Perspective](https://anglicanism.org/the-apostolic-constitution-anglicanorum-coetibus-of-pope-benedict-xvi-from-an-anglican-perspective) - The Rev’d Dr. Callan Slipper - [The perichoresis of day-to-day work and priestly ministry: A critical analysis of what self-supporting ministers can learn from the European worker-priest movement.](https://anglicanism.org/the-perichoresis-of-day-to-day-work-and-priestly-ministry) - The Rev'd Professor Bryony Dean Franklin - [A curious case of inculturation?](https://anglicanism.org/a-curious-case-of-inculturation) - Advent becomes the new Christmas and Justin Welby becomes the new Archbishop of Canterbury. Is there more to come? December 2012 - [Government, faith or anything else by slogan?](https://anglicanism.org/government-faith-or-anything-else-by-slogan) - Editorial - The Rev'd Dr. Nicholas Henderson - August 2021 ... A slogan is a memorable motto or phrase used in a political, commercial, religious, or other context as a repetitive expression of an idea or purpose, with the goal of persuading members of the public or a more defined target group. - [The Pope's Pet Subject](https://anglicanism.org/the-popes-pet-subject) - Jane Kelly, has serious reservations about the Pope's pronouncement on 'selfish couples' who 'substitute dogs for children' ... The lack of the initial strong maternal bond may be a key to why so many people now grow up unable to form close relations with other humans and lack the emotional resilience the Pope recognises is needed to tackle complex adult relationships such as being parents. We are all sad, lonely children now, needing our teddy bears and our puppy for comfort! - [Church and State - Church versus State?](https://anglicanism.org/church-and-state-church-versus-state) - Editorial June 2022 - The Editor, The Rev'd Dr. Nicholas Henderson writes: The British Prime Minister, apparently stung by the whole bench of Anglican Bishops in the House of Lords, has denied that it is his wish to expel them from the British second chamber. Rumblings amongst Boris Johnson’s ministers have followed the publication of a letter from 25 Bishops stating that the policy of sending some migrants who arrived from across the English Channel is ‘immoral’. - [Dear Heart-broken, Dear Confused: Agony Aunts and Problem Pages as Implicit Religion](https://anglicanism.org/dear-heart-broken-dear-confused-agony-aunts-and-problem-pages-as-implicit-religion) - The Very Rev'd Professor Martyn Percy writes: Such is the extent of secularization in modern Britain, it will now come as a surprise to quite a number of folk that modern hospitals have religious foundations – St. Thomas or St. Bartholomew come to mind. Also, Halloween seems to have morphed into a secular celebration of light-hearted horror-genres, replete with pumpkins. For most, the remembrance of all souls has become quite detached. The religious origins of Oxbridge Colleges and other educational establishments are perhaps easier to grasp. Though I do recall interviewing a student for entry into Cambridge some decades ago, who had declined Jesus, Christ’s, Trinity and other colleges because of their religious names but had chosen Emmanuel. I truly wish this were an urban myth, but it isn’t. ... - [An Appeal to Archbishop Eliud Wabukala, Primate of Kenya and Chairman of the GAFCON’s Primates’ Council](https://anglicanism.org/an-appeal-to-archbishop-eliud-wabukala-primate-of-kenya-and-chairman-of-the-gafcons-primates-council) - – an open letter. The Rev’d Dr. Warner C. White (March 2016) - [New Anglican Missionary Diocese for Mozambique](https://anglicanism.org/new-anglican-missionary-diocese-for-mozambique) - The Venerable Edward T. Bukutu. A letter from the Vicar General - Tete Missionary Diocese is created in Mozambique. - [Why did I leave the Anglican Church?](https://anglicanism.org/why-did-i-leave-the-anglican-church) - Chris Jefferies writes: I was asked this question some time ago. At first I felt that it somehow missed the point because I tend to feel that I never was an Anglican, although it’s true that in my mid to late teens I would have called myself Anglican – perhaps? - [Is equality of opportunity ever achievable without tighter regulations on targeted marketing? – Is there more we can do to protect the vulnerable?](https://anglicanism.org/is-equality-of-opportunity-ever-achievable-without-tighter-regulations-on-targeted-marketing-is-there-more-we-can-do-to-protect-the-vulnerable) - Nicola Hughes writes: For every student studying business since 1980 Kotler and Armstrong’s Principles of Marketing has been a necessary purchase – Marketing as an industry is constantly changing and in an unsurprisingly business savvy way K&A regularly updated the ‘’Marketing Bible” so students couldn’t borrow outdated copies from the library. I didn’t have the same problem while studying Theology! - [Statement on Clergy Conference 2022 by the Church of Ceylon](https://anglicanism.org/statement-on-clergy-conference-2022-by-the-church-of-ceylon) - While the country’s problems have been brewing for years, spillovers from the crisis in Ukraine have sent the island nation over the edge - [Standing together in uncertain times: inter-church relations in Britain and Ireland through the pandemic and beyond.](https://anglicanism.org/standing-together-in-uncertain-times-inter-church-relations-in-britain-and-ireland-through-the-pandemic-and-beyond) - Dr. Nicola Brady writes: “The impact of COVID–19 has prompted us to ask searching questions about what it means to be a community of Christian believers in today’s society.” Co-Chairs of the Irish Inter-Church Meeting, 27th January 2021 - [Call for the President and Prime Minister to resign](https://anglicanism.org/call-for-the-president-and-prime-minister-to-resign) - The Bishops of the Church of Ceylon write: We note with deep concern the deterioration of the state of our economy and the sheer sense of apathy with which those in power are approaching the plethora of problems faced by the people of our land. - [Deconstructing Sydney Anglicanism: Past, Present and Futures](https://anglicanism.org/deconstructing-sydney-anglicanism-past-present-and-futures) - The Very Rev'd Professor Martyn Percy writes: I am grateful for this opportunity to reflect on what is known as ‘Sydney Anglicanism’. Grateful, because I am not sure it has much to do with Sydney, being Anglican, or even Evangelical. As any social anthropologist will tell you, labels are simultaneously relative, subjective, absolute and objective. At least, that is, to the person deploying the terminology. Very few denominational labels were adopted by the group they now refer to. Anglican, Baptist, Methodist, Episcopalian – these are all nicknames used by others. The subject just gets stuck with the label. But they rarely help you to understand or accurately categorize a group. What is true, false, dangerous, safe, clean and unclean are wired into our shared worldviews, social functioning and mindsets ... Humans cannot avoid making a whole variety of judgment calls – every few seconds. - [Be careful what you venerate](https://anglicanism.org/be-careful-what-you-venerate) - Editorial - Kingdom Season November 2022. The Rev'd Dr. Nicholas Henderson (Editor) writes: The arrival in Lichfield Cathedral, England, of a fragment of a bone of St Chad (died 672) will be marked by the recreation of a shrine in his name and the opportunity for pilgrims to donate a much-needed £10.00 by texting. After centuries following the original shrine’s destruction, more protestant precursors may be turning in their respective graves but this exercise is a sign of a human tendency to venerate and cherish worthies of bygone ages who may easily be recreated in the image of the pilgrims of the present. ... - [Did we die without noticing it?](https://anglicanism.org/did-we-die-without-noticing-it) - Canon Rosie Harper writes: When I was a teenager growing up in Norwich, prayer meetings were a very significant part of life. Looking back, I wish I’d spent more time with boys and less time in my non-conformist church. It’s a bit late now! Even at the time I realised that those meetings revealed far more about what folk really believed than the fine Sunday words. People prayed about what mattered to them. They were a lovely bunch, mostly, and talked to God about the people they loved, about missionaries in far flung countries, about homeless people. The prayers were also sometimes unknowingly racist and sexist. A very common theme was revival. By this they meant not so much that the power of the spirit would sweep across the country, rather that there would be revival in the Church of England. It was impossible for them to conceive of an authentic church that ran on different software from theirs. Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Saviour was the bottom line and with it came the whole substitutionary atonement script. - [A theoretical framework for analysing the history of the Christian Community in Sri Lanka (in the Sinhala Buddhist background)](https://anglicanism.org/https-anglicanism-org-wp-content-uploads-2020-12-church-history-tcl-journal-ed-pdf) - The Rt Rev'd Keerthisiri Fernando - [A Religious View of Assisted Dying](https://anglicanism.org/a-religious-view-of-assisted-dying) - Rabbi Dr. Jonathan Romain - There is a massive change going on in religious attitudes to assisted dying (by which a person is given a prescription for a lethal potion, which they themselves then order and take). However, far from being a modern issue, the problem of having to endure a painful end to one’s life has long been recognised ... - [What next after the pandemic subsides?](https://anglicanism.org/what-next-after-the-pandemic-subsides) - Editorial - The Rev'd Dr. Nicholas Henderson - Easter 2021 - [How Covid-19 may have Changed the Church Forever!](https://anglicanism.org/how-covid-19-may-have-changed-the-church-forever) - Rosalind Lund - [Whither Worship? The Parish Communion](https://anglicanism.org/whither-worship-the-parish-communion) - The Rev’d Christopher Mitchell - [Post - Covid … Where to tie the knot?](https://anglicanism.org/post-covid-where-to-tie-the-knot) - Editorial - The Rev'd Dr. Nicholas Henderson - Petertide 2021: The recent announcement from the British government that civil weddings and partnerships may now be celebrated outside in the open air raises once again the perennial question of marriage in church. Not on this occasion the question of (long overdue) same-sex marriage in church but the more general one of where any religious marriage ceremonies may take place ... - [The Anglican Church of Ceylon calls for urgent action from UN Human Rights Council](https://anglicanism.org/the-anglican-church-of-ceylon-calls-for-urgent-action-from-un-human-rights-council) - The Rt Rev'd Keerthisiri Fernando, Anglican Bishop for Kurunegala of the Church of Ceylon calls for action from the UN in response to continuing violence following Islamist suicide bombings in 2019. - [COP26 ... and beyond](https://anglicanism.org/cop-26-and-beyond) - Editorial, Kingdom Season, November 2021 - The Rev'd Dr. Nicholas Henderson. Editor: Anglicanism.org - In an 'online' world of disinformation what hope is there for COP26? - [Kiev or Kyiv? #KyivNotKiev](https://anglicanism.org/kiev-or-kyiv-kyivnotkiev) - Editorial: Kiev or Kyiv? - A difference in spelling the name of the capital city has emerged since the threat of a Russian invasion of Ukraine was first mooted. The shift indicates an almost universal reluctance to use the former Kiev as it is a transliteration from the Russian Cyrillic alphabet. The new (to us in the West) Kyiv is the local Ukrainian usage. Thus, solidarity in a spelling bee can be shown with those of us who are horrified at the increasing terror of Russian imperialism and accompanying military violence towards a near neighbour. - [Will God or his Church intervene in Ukraine before it’s too late?](https://anglicanism.org/will-god-or-his-church-intervene-in-ukraine-before-its-too-late) - Editorial: The Rev'd Dr. Nicholas Henderson writes. Rowan Williams former Archbishop of Canterbury 2003-2012 appeared with an ash mark still on his forehead on Ash Wednesday, 2nd March urging senior Orthodox church leaders outside Russia to stand alongside archbishops, patriarchs and the Pope in calling for an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine ... - [The long view – How retired clergy can harvest their experience and become encouragers to those who minister in a very different ‘now’.](https://anglicanism.org/the-long-view-mark-rudall-explores-how-retired-clergy-can-harvest-their-experience-and-become-encouragers-to-those-who-minister-in-a-very-different-now) - The Rev'd Mark Rudall writes: The Grace of God is a central concept in Christian theology, but at every level of society there will always be failure if some level of its human outworking is missing ... retired clergy, who have seen the best and the worst of human dynamics in daily life and ministry over many years, are well placed to enter retirement equipped to be of real use in any groups, Christian or otherwise, that they might join. - [Statement on recent political developments in Sri Lanka by the Bishops of the Anglican Church of Ceylon](https://anglicanism.org/statement-on-recent-political-developments-in-sri-lanka-by-the-bishops-of-the-anglican-church-of-ceylon) - Whilst the rest of the world is understandably engaged with the war in Ukraine, trouble is emerging in Ski Lanka where the Bishops of the Anglican Church of Ceylon express their concerns ... - [Are we heading for World War III?](https://anglicanism.org/are-we-heading-for-world-war-iii) - The Rev'd Dr. Nicholas Henderson (Editor: Anglicanism.org) writes: Amongst the many crises currently gripping the world a good number are linked directly or indirectly to the unprovoked disastrous invasion of Ukraine by Vladimir Putin. It is important to attribute the onslaught on Ukraine to one man as, despite the existence of ultra-nationalists of a fascist disposition in Russia, broadly speaking the invasion does not seem to have universal enthusiastic support on the part of the people. Moreover, in a country starved of non-state impartial media many seem simply to have accepted (but little more) the official line. Of course, it is difficult to ascertain exactly what is going on and the famous dictum of Churchill in 1939 that Russian is “a riddle, wrapped inside a mystery, inside an enigma” still stands. - [SYNODALITY AND TOGETHERNESS IN THE ANTIOCHIAN, SYRIAC MARONITE CHURCH](https://anglicanism.org/synodality-and-togetherness-in-the-antiochian-syriac-maronite-church) - Maronite Archbishop Paul Sayah writes: One of the important theological developments brought about by Vatican II is the emphasis on the concept of Synodality and Communion in the theology of the Church and its evangelizing Mission. Lumen Gentium defined the Church first of all as the community of the baptized, the “People of God”, and then it talked about the hierarchy. The Church is not a democracy, but it is not a monarchy either, nor is it an oligarchy, nor an autocracy. It is the community of believers journeying, together under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. - [A new Archbishop of Canterbury and an old or a new Covenant?](https://anglicanism.org/a-new-archbishop-of-canterbury-and-an-old-or-a-new-covenant) - May 2012 - [Of crowns and (triple) tiaras](https://anglicanism.org/of-crowns-and-triple-tiaras) - June 2012 - [Church of England bishops – men and women](https://anglicanism.org/church-of-england-bishops-men-and-women) - July 2012 - [Whither the Global South movement?](https://anglicanism.org/whither-the-global-south-movement) - August 2012 - [Mr President or My Lord Archbishop?](https://anglicanism.org/mr-president-or-my-lord-archbishop) - September 2012 - [The next Archbishop of Canterbury](https://anglicanism.org/the-next-archbishop-of-canterbury) - seeking the very best compromise or none? October 2012 - [Justin Welby](https://anglicanism.org/justin-welby) - Archbishop of Canterbury women bishops, sex and schismatics November 2012 - [Dialectical Anglicanism](https://anglicanism.org/dialectical-anglicanism) - January 2013 - [Primus inter pares?](https://anglicanism.org/primus-inter-pares) - – the papal abdication will change more than the man at the top February 2013 - [The Syrian Crisis](https://anglicanism.org/the-syrian-crisis) - – the Christian dilemma September 2013 - [Is Anglicanism anti-gay?](https://anglicanism.org/is-anglicanism-anti-gay) - A reflection on Anglicans and how they should respond to proposed new legislation in Equatorial Africa. January 2014 - [Women bishops coming soon in the Church of England?](https://anglicanism.org/women-bishops-coming-soon-in-the-church-of-england) - May 2014 - [A crescent or a scimitar, a cross or a …?](https://anglicanism.org/a-crescent-or-a-scimitar-a-cross-or-a) - January 2015 - [The rise and rise of fundamentalism](https://anglicanism.org/the-rise-and-rise-of-fundamentalism) - April 2015 - [Tyrants old and new](https://anglicanism.org/tyrants-old-and-new) - Christianity in the Middle East v. Sexuality January 2016 - [Christmas past and present](https://anglicanism.org/christmas-past-and-present) - The Middle East and Western values - January 2017 - [Sexuality isnʼt the only thing Anglicans can talk about](https://anglicanism.org/sexuality-isnʼt-the-only-thing-anglicans-can-talk-about) - Guest Editorial - Anthony Woollard - Summer 2019 - [Becoming keepers of the Institution?](https://anglicanism.org/becoming-keepers-of-the-institution) - Guest Editorial – The Rev’d Fr. Andrew T.P. Merrow - Michaelmas 2019 - [African Theology and Post-modern Britain](https://anglicanism.org/african-theology-and-post-modern-britain) - The Revd Prebendary Dr. Neil R Evans - [The Great Eastern Japan Earthquake and Tsunami](https://anglicanism.org/the-great-eastern-japan-earthquake-and-tsunami) - The Rt Rev’d John Hiromichi Kato - [Anglicanism – A Two Tunes Approach to Truth](https://anglicanism.org/anglicanism-a-two-tunes-approach-to-truth) - The Rt Rev’d Dr. John Saxbee - [Seeking common ground between Tractarians and Evangelicals](https://anglicanism.org/seeking-common-ground-between-tractarians-and-evangelicals) - – an exploration into the historical similarities and commonalities between the two movements for present day reference: The Rev’d Peter Kane - [Liberal Anglicanism](https://anglicanism.org/liberal-anglicanism) - The Rev'd Professor Paul Badham - [The Apologetics of Blaise Pascal](https://anglicanism.org/the-apologetics-of-blaise-pascal) - The Rt Rev'd Dr. Graham Tomlin - [A Christianity that Modern Anglicans can believe in](https://anglicanism.org/a-christianity-that-modern-anglicans-can-believe-in) - Professor Paul Badham - [The Second Coming hits Brazil – How Literary Reworkings can Revitalise Scripture](https://anglicanism.org/the-second-coming-hits-brazil-how-literary-reworkings-can-revitalise-scripture) - The Rev’d Dr. Anthony Swindell - [A New Apologetics: Speaking of God in a world troubled by Religion](https://anglicanism.org/a-new-apologetics-speaking-of-god-in-a-world-troubled-by-religion) - (2016 Annual Cathedral Lecture, Chester Cathedral) Canon Professor Elaine Graham - [Whatever happened to the Laity?](https://anglicanism.org/whatever-happened-to-the-laity) - (2015 Annual Cathedral Lecture, Chester Cathedral) Canon Professor Elaine Graham - [A Comparative Study of Anglicanism in the Church of England – from a Spanish Perspective](https://anglicanism.org/a-comparative-study-of-anglicanism-in-the-church-of-england-from-a-spanish-perspective) - Antonio García Fuerte - [Anglican-Orthodox and Anglican-Roman Catholic Theological Dialogue](https://anglicanism.org/anglican-orthodox-and-anglican-roman-catholic-theological-dialogue) - The Rev’d Canon Hugh Wybrew - [Anglicanism - A Roman Catholic View - Close-up](https://anglicanism.org/anglicanism-a-roman-catholic-view-close-up) - Dr. Patrick Logan - [Why Anglicans should support the legalization of Assisted Dying](https://anglicanism.org/why-anglicans-should-support-the-legalization-of-assisted-dying) - The Rev’d Professor Paul Badham - [Assisted Dying – Theological Perspectives](https://anglicanism.org/assisted-dying-theological-perspectives) - The Rev’d Professor Kenneth Boyd - [Reflections on ethics, ‘public theology’, and mission in a secular age](https://anglicanism.org/reflections-on-ethics-public-theology-and-mission-in-a-secular-age) - The Rev’d Canon Professor Vernon White - [Sacramental Assurance and the Anglican Tradition](https://anglicanism.org/sacramental-assurance-and-the-anglican-tradition) - Anthony Woollard - [To what extent can George Herbert’s ‘The Country Parson’ be read as a spiritual text of relevance to the spirituality of Anglican priesthood today?](https://anglicanism.org/to-what-extent-can-george-herberts-the-country-parson-be-read-as-a-spiritual-text-of-relevance-to-the-spirituality-of-anglican-priesthood-today) - The Rev’d Christopher Ramsay - [Women Bishops and Valid Sacraments](https://anglicanism.org/women-bishops-and-valid-sacraments) - The Rev’d Jonathan Clatworthy - [A Church Forgiven. Ministry in the Church in Wales – post Women Bishops](https://anglicanism.org/a-church-forgiven-ministry-in-the-church-in-wales-post-women-bishops) - The Rev’d Dr. Lorraine Cavanagh - [Providence in the thinking of Karl Popper and David Jenkins](https://anglicanism.org/providence-in-the-thinking-of-karl-popper-and-david-jenkins) - The Rev’d Canon Richard Truss - [A Modern Metaphysic](https://anglicanism.org/a-modern-metaphysic) - Dr. Peter Mills - [How and why and when to recite the Nicene Creed](https://anglicanism.org/how-and-why-and-when-to-recite-the-nicene-creed) - The Rev’d Dr. Warner White - [The Eucharist and the Monomyth](https://anglicanism.org/the-eucharist-and-the-monomyth) - Danny Pegg - [To Creed or not to Creed? – that is the question](https://anglicanism.org/to-creed-or-not-to-creed-that-is-the-question) - On the history and usage of the Nicene Creed – a fresh evaluation: The Very Rev’d Canon James Newman - [‘Levels of Meaning’ – Reflections on Christianity from a Muslim perspective](https://anglicanism.org/levels-of-meaning-reflections-on-christianity-from-a-muslim-perspective) - Raficq Abdulla - [God who is Trinity: speaking with Muslims, reflections on an Anglican contribution by Archbishop Rowan Williams](https://anglicanism.org/god-who-is-trinity-speaking-with-muslims-reflections-on-an-anglican-contribution-by-archbishop-rowan-williams) - The Rt Rev’d Dr. Michael Ipgrave - [Interfaith Priorities](https://anglicanism.org/interfaith-priorities) - The Rev’d Dr. Marcus Braybrooke D.D. - [If God created us to be sexual beings...](https://anglicanism.org/if-god-created-us-to-be-sexual-beings) - ... in relation with our fellow humans, why do we, in the church, try to diminish this element of ourselves in order that we might know God likes us as well as loves us? - The Rev’d Ruth Fitter - [Divine Monarchy, Divine Society: Trinitarian thought and socio-political change – a 17th century study](https://anglicanism.org/divine-monarchy-divine-society-trinitarian-thought-and-socio-political-change-a-17th-century-study) - The Rev’d Dr. Miranda Threlfall-Holmes - [Nineteenth century urbanisation and the Church of England, an assessment](https://anglicanism.org/nineteenth-century-urbanisation-and-the-church-of-england-an-assessment) - The Rev’d Christopher Ramsay - [The King James Bible 1611 – History and Provenance](https://anglicanism.org/the-king-james-bible-1611-history-and-provenance) - Professor Bill Gibson - [The Fresh Air of Theological Liberalism](https://anglicanism.org/the-fresh-air-of-theological-liberalism) - The Rev’d Canon Dr. Alan Race - [Samuel Taylor Coleridge – A Theologian for our Time](https://anglicanism.org/samuel-taylor-coleridge-a-theologian-for-our-time) - The Rev’d Canon Richard Truss - [Scripture, Reason and Tradition](https://anglicanism.org/scripture-reason-and-tradition) - The Rev’d Jonathan Clatworthy - [Theatre and Theology as Transformative Encounter](https://anglicanism.org/theatre-and-theology-as-transformative-encounter) - – a critical analysis of Samuel Beckett’s ‘Waiting for Godot’, Harold Pinter’s ‘The Birthday Party’, & David Hare’s ‘Racing Demon’: The Rev’d Canon Richard Truss - [Take back control](https://anglicanism.org/take-back-control) - Editorial - The Rev'd Dr. Nicholas Henderson - Advent 2019 - [The Turning of the Year](https://anglicanism.org/the-turning-of-the-year) - Guest Editorial - The Rev'd Georgiana Bell - New Year 2020 - [Church and Constitution](https://anglicanism.org/church-and-constitution) - Guest Editorial - Dr. Peter Mills - Lent 2020 - [Of Cabbages and Kings](https://anglicanism.org/of-cabbages-and-kings) - Editorial - The Rev'd Dr. Nicholas Henderson - Easter 2020 - [A Reflection at Easter, April 2020 - the language around COVID-19](https://anglicanism.org/a-reflection-at-easter-the-language-around-covid-19) - Hugh Bryant - [The Eucharistic Feast: participation, representation and sacramental integrity in the time of social distancing](https://anglicanism.org/the-eucharistic-feast-participation-representation-and-sacramental-integrity-in-the-time-of-social-distancing) - Dr. Charlie Bell - [Towards a trinitarian understanding of marriage: how might the unity of persons in communion help rediscover the principles of Christian marriage?](https://anglicanism.org/towards-a-trinitarian-understanding-of-marriage-how-might-the-unity-of-persons-in-communion-help-rediscover-the-principles-of-christian-marriage) - Dr. Charlie Bell - [Re-Beating the Bounds Rogationtide 2020](https://anglicanism.org/re-beating-the-bounds-rogationtide-2020) - Guest Editorial - The Rev'd Danny Pegg - Rogationtide 2020 - [A New Beginning or a Curate’s Egg? A local and national reflection on the Church of England during the time of Coronavirus](https://anglicanism.org/a-new-beginning-or-a-curates-egg-a-local-and-national-reflection-on-the-church-of-england-during-the-time-of-coronavirus) - The Rev'd Danny Pegg - [Pandemics in literature bring consolation](https://anglicanism.org/pandemics-in-literature-bring-consolation) - Guest Editorial - The Rev'd Dr. Anthony Swindell D.D. - Ascensiontide 2020 - [Action, inaction and the consequences ... COVID-19, the death of George Floyd, the coming economic crisis and the Church](https://anglicanism.org/action-inaction-and-the-consequences-covid-19-the-death-of-george-floyd-the-coming-economic-crisis-and-the-church) - Editorial - The Rev'd Dr. Nicholas Henderson - Trinity Sunday 2020 - [Divine divines – some whimsical reflections on Church of England clergy](https://anglicanism.org/divine-divines-some-whimsical-reflections-on-church-of-england-clergy) - The Rev'd Peter Watkins - [Beyond the Lych-gate; a Strategic Diagnostic of Church Culture and Practices that Marginalise and Disenfranchise Black, Asian & Minority Ethnic People in the Church of England](https://anglicanism.org/beyond-the-lych-gate-a-strategic-diagnostic-of-church-culture-and-practices-that-marginalise-and-disenfranchise-black-asian-minority-ethnic-people-in-the-church-of-england) - Dr. Sanjee Perera - [Interfaith Priorities](https://anglicanism.org/interfaith-priorities-2) - The Rev’d Dr. Marcus Braybrooke D.D. - [At a Crossroads – Race, Africans and the Anglican Communion](https://anglicanism.org/at-a-crossroads-race-africans-and-the-anglican-communion) - Guest Editorial - The Rt Rev'd James Tengatenga - Petertide 2020 - [The Trinity - A gentle commendation](https://anglicanism.org/the-trinity-a-gentle-commendation) - Professor Adrian Thatcher - [At Whitsuntide & Trinity Sunday: Encounters with God](https://anglicanism.org/at-whitsuntide-trinity-sunday-encounters-with-god) - Hugh Bryant - [The Christian Origins of Universal Solidarity: Thinking through Christ’s Call to Leave “father/ mother/ children”](https://anglicanism.org/the-christian-origins-of-universal-solidarity-thinking-through-christs-call-to-leave-father-mother-children-2) - Dr. Clemena Antonova - [Defining ecclesiology – alarming developments in the Church of England](https://anglicanism.org/defining-ecclesiology-alarming-developments-in-the-church-of-england) - Dr. Charlie Bell - [In Quires and places where they sing](https://anglicanism.org/in-quires-and-places-where-they-sing) - Guest Editorial - Dr. James Thomson - Feast of St Gregory the Great - 3rd September 2020 - [Coronavirus a Parable of Our Time](https://anglicanism.org/coronavirus-a-parable-of-our-time) - The Rt Rev'd Trevor Mwamba - [The Significance of Letters](https://anglicanism.org/the-significance-of-letters) - The Rev'd Peter Watkins - [The Church of England needs to speak with more than a whisper during this COVID-19 crisis.](https://anglicanism.org/the-church-of-england-needs-to-speak-with-more-than-a-whisper-during-this-covid-19-crisis) - Editorial - The Rev'd Dr. Nicholas Henderson - October 2020 - [Risk and Prophecy - has the Church got its COVID-19 response right?](https://anglicanism.org/risk-and-prophesy-has-the-church-got-its-covid-19-response-right) - Dr. Charlie Bell - [Could the Church of England change its mind on same-sex marriage?](https://anglicanism.org/could-the-church-of-england-change-its-mind-on-same-sex-marriage) - Editorial - The Rev'd Dr. Nicholas Henderson - November 2020. “The Church of England could reverse its opposition to same-sex marriage by as early as 2022.” So runs the content of one of a number of reports from different sources ... - [Advent - a season of barrier breaking?](https://anglicanism.org/advent-a-season-of-barrier-breaking) - Guest Editorial - Dr. Clare Amos - Advent 2020 One of the consequences of the ongoing global COVID crisis seems to have been that Advent has taken on more significance in our lives … - [Sexual Orientation and an Anglican Response - An Asian perspective](https://anglicanism.org/sexual-orientation-and-an-anglican-response-an-asian-perspective) - The Rt. Rev'd Keerthisiri Fernando If we were to think of one aspect of life that has been of immense scrutiny and discussion in the Church it would be human sexuality ... - [Ethno-religious identities of immigrants](https://anglicanism.org/ethno-religious-identities-of-immigrants) - The Rt Rev’d Keerthisiri Fernando - [For such a time as this: The call to a deeper solidarity](https://anglicanism.org/for-such-a-time-as-this-the-call-to-a-deeper-solidarity) - Guest Editorial - The Rev'd Duncan Dormor - Lent 2021 ## Pages - [Home](https://anglicanism.org/) - Welcome to Anglicanism.org a depository of papers, articles and items of general interest. Whilst many contributions are linked to the generic theme of Anglicanism we also feature a wide range of subjects beyond any particular definition. The website contains a free-to-use library for information and study. We started life in 2009 as a specialist vehicle - [Editorial 2025](https://anglicanism.org/editorial-2025) - Editorial 2025 Editorial: A truth universally acknowledged … too many dictators Editorial: A truth universally acknowledged … too many dictatorsThe Editor - The Rev'd Dr. Nicholas Henderson writes in his Advent Editorial - To plagiarise Jane Austen’s opening remark in her Pride & Prejudice: “It is a truth universally acknowledged …”. It is then a - [Editorial 2026](https://anglicanism.org/editorial-2026) - Editorial 2026 Is the Iran War actually a religious one? Is the Iran War actually a religious one?The Rev'd Dr. Nicholas Henderson (Editor) write in his Lenten Editorial: The Trumpian concept of regime change is more or less evidenced as a reason for the recent and ongoing unleashing of a huge onslaught on Iran. This - [Editorial 2024](https://anglicanism.org/editorial-2024) - Editorial 2024 Expensive votes for sale this Christmas but still no room at the inn? Expensive votes for sale this Christmas but still no room at the inn?The Rev'd Dr. Nicholas Henderson in his Editorial writes: During the Christmas season and on the cusp of what seems to have the potential to be an annus - [Editorial](https://anglicanism.org/editorial) - EditorialWelcome to our Editorial page. Published approximately once a month these editorials seek to address current issues and reflect on them. Often written by the editor the Rev’d Dr. Nicholas Henderson we also have a policy of ‘Guest Editorials’ where others are periodically invited to post their views and opinions. We hope you find these - [Editorial 2023](https://anglicanism.org/editorial-2023) - Editorial 2023 Expect the unexpected Expect the unexpectedIn his New Year Editorial the Rev'd Dr.Nicholas Henderson writes: Bethlehem closed down for Christmas, Ukraine brings the season forward from 7th January to 25th December and hardly anything left standing in Gaza. Political will to resolve what is becoming a very uncertain New Year appears to be - [Editorial 2022](https://anglicanism.org/editorial-2022) - Editorial 2022 … but will it snow this Christmas? … but will it snow this Christmas?The Rev'd Dr.Nicholas Henderson - Editor writes: ... but will it snow this Christmas? This is … A perennial question, usually on the lips of children but also adults who long for the delight of a seasonal covering - as - [Letters, Sermons & Reflections](https://anglicanism.org/letters) - Letters GADFLY Paul Oestreicher reflects on being a gadfly GADFLY Paul Oestreicher reflects on being a gadflyThe Rev'd Canon Paul Oestreicher reflects on being a 'gadfly' ... In 1984 my election as Bishop of Wellington in New Zealand made the English newspapers. A day or two later a postcard arrived from Francis House, whom I’d - [Reviews](https://anglicanism.org/reviews) - ReviewsThis Reviews section of Anglicanism.org features a wide range of reviews including publications old and new, plays, Church courses, broadcasts and other items and events. Suggested Reviews may be submitted via our Contacts page. The Saint Thomas, Bodhisattva Archive: Volume II The Kingdom Mindset by Glen Grehan (Review) The Saint Thomas, Bodhisattva Archive: Volume II - [Links](https://anglicanism.org/links) - LinksVisit The Anglican CommunionVisitVisitAnglicans Online: The online centre of the Anglican (Episcopal) world.VisitVisit Modern Church: An Anglican Theological Society founded 1898 for open, respectful debate and theological study relating to the Christian Faith.VisitVisitThe Church of EnglandVisitVisit Anglican Diocese of Perth, AustraliaVisitVisit The Episcopal Church VisitVisitEpiscopal Parish of St Mary’s, Arlington, Virginia, U.S.A.VisitVisit Thinking Anglicans VisitVisitUniversity - [Letters-old](https://anglicanism.org/letters-old) - Letters‘An Appeal to Archbishop Eliud Wabukala, Primate of Kenya and Chairman of the GAFCON’s Primates’ Council’ – an open letter. The Rev’d Dr. Warner C. White (March 2016) [view/download…] - [Letters archive](https://anglicanism.org/letters-archive) - Letters An Appeal to Archbishop Eliud Wabukala, Primate of Kenya and Chairman of the GAFCON’s Primates’ Council– an open letter. The Rev’d Dr. Warner C. White (March 2016) - [Women's Ministry](https://anglicanism.org/index-papers/womens-ministry) - Women’s Ministry A new Archbishop and a new agenda? A new Archbishop and a new agenda?In his Editorial for the beginning of Lent, the Editor, The Rev'd Dr. Nicholas Henderson writes: So, thus far the new Archbishop of Canterbury has been through three of the four stages of appointment. ... Sarah Mullaly is therefore already - [Theology](https://anglicanism.org/index-papers/theology) - Theology The Pattern of God – David Jenkins’ Theology in Church and in Public Space by Richard Truss (Review) The Pattern of God – David Jenkins’ Theology in Church and in Public Space by Richard Truss (Review)In her Review of 'The Pattern of God' Dr. Priscilla Chadwick writes: ‘Why does the Bishop of Durham say - [The Church of England](https://anglicanism.org/index-papers/the-church-of-england) - The Church of England A new Archbishop and a new agenda? A new Archbishop and a new agenda?In his Editorial for the beginning of Lent, the Editor, The Rev'd Dr. Nicholas Henderson writes: So, thus far the new Archbishop of Canterbury has been through three of the four stages of appointment. ... Sarah Mullaly is - [Spirituality](https://anglicanism.org/index-papers/spirituality) - Spirituality Pondering the essence of worship – a reflection Pondering the essence of worship – a reflectionThe Rev'd Mark Rudall reflects on the nature of worship: ... I have a love affair with my local river. The sheer beauty, joy and peace I find on it relaxes and delights me beyond words and is something - [Sexuality](https://anglicanism.org/index-papers/sexuality) - Sexuality Renewing Communion: A queering of unity and colonialism Renewing Communion: A queering of unity and colonialismThe Rev'd Dr. Charlie Bell summarises: The Anglican Communion as a trans-national and interdependent community of Christians is facing potential catastrophe. The Communion remains a creature of colonialism, both in the way it lives out its mission and in - [Sermons & Reflections](https://anglicanism.org/index-papers/sermons-reflections) - Sermons & Reflections GADFLY Paul Oestreicher reflects on being a gadfly GADFLY Paul Oestreicher reflects on being a gadflyThe Rev'd Canon Paul Oestreicher reflects on being a 'gadfly' ... In 1984 my election as Bishop of Wellington in New Zealand made the English newspapers. A day or two later a postcard arrived from Francis House, - [Science & Religion](https://anglicanism.org/index-papers/science-religion) - Science & Religion Risk and Prophecy – has the Church got its COVID-19 response right?Dr. Charlie Bell - [Sacraments](https://anglicanism.org/index-papers/sacraments) - Sacraments Whither Worship? The Parish Communion Whither Worship? The Parish CommunionThe Rev’d Christopher Mitchell The Eucharistic Feast: participation, representation and sacramental integrity in the time of social distancingDr. Charlie Bell Sacramental Assurance and the Anglican TraditionAnthony Woollard - [Politics](https://anglicanism.org/index-papers/politics) - Politics Is the Iran War actually a religious one? Is the Iran War actually a religious one?The Rev'd Dr. Nicholas Henderson (Editor) write in his Lenten Editorial: The Trumpian concept of regime change is more or less evidenced as a reason for the recent and ongoing unleashing of a huge onslaught on Iran. This rapidly - [Philosophy](https://anglicanism.org/index-papers/philosophy) - Philosophy Book Review: Keith Mascord “An Honest Faith: The Possible Friendship of Athens and Jerusalem’ Book Review: Keith Mascord “An Honest Faith: The Possible Friendship of Athens and Jerusalem’Reviewer David Ellis writes: Keith Mascord faces up to the challenge to orthodox faith put by literary-historical analysis. First he “deconstructs" the Bible as history, and then - [Oriental Studies](https://anglicanism.org/index-papers/oriental-studies) - Oriental Studies “From Pakistan to the UK: A Christian Woman’s Journey of Faith, Perseverance, and Renewal” “From Pakistan to the UK: A Christian Woman’s Journey of Faith, Perseverance, and Renewal”Sabeeta Mushtaq writes of her faith journey: ... I was born and raised in Pakistan, a Muslim country, into a Catholic Christian family. Growing up as - [Mission](https://anglicanism.org/index-papers/mission) - Mission So how might the Church keep up? So how might the Church keep up?Dr. Keven Hall writes: Matthew Syed in the Sunday Times (09/02/2025), writing of current distain for the institutions of democracy, exhorted western politicians to ‘find courage’. It might be said of church these days that, not just finding courage, but also - [Ministry](https://anglicanism.org/index-papers/ministry) - Ministry GADFLY Paul Oestreicher reflects on being a gadfly GADFLY Paul Oestreicher reflects on being a gadflyThe Rev'd Canon Paul Oestreicher reflects on being a 'gadfly' ... In 1984 my election as Bishop of Wellington in New Zealand made the English newspapers. A day or two later a postcard arrived from Francis House, whom I’d - [Middle Eastern Studies](https://anglicanism.org/index-papers/middle-eastern-studies) - Middle Eastern Studies Palestine: Inaction against Genocide and War Crimes – An Open Letter to the British Prime Minister Palestine: Inaction against Genocide and War Crimes – An Open Letter to the British Prime MinisterThe Public Square Group in its Open Letter to the British Primes Minister writes: We write to you as a Christian - [Liturgy](https://anglicanism.org/index-papers/liturgy) - Liturgy No Tongues: what prayer ministry and a new colleague accidentally taught me about the Book of Common Prayer No Tongues: what prayer ministry and a new colleague accidentally taught me about the Book of Common PrayerJonathan Pease writes: ‘I can see a chapel from my window.’ Such was the standard response of the Cambridge undergraduate to being asked - [Interfaith](https://anglicanism.org/index-papers/interfaith) - Interfaith The Saint Thomas, Bodhisattva Archive: Volume II The Kingdom Mindset by Glen Grehan (Review) The Saint Thomas, Bodhisattva Archive: Volume II The Kingdom Mindset by Glen Grehan (Review)In her Review of Glen Grehan's Volume II of the St Thomas Bodhisattva Archive, Canon Dr. Anne Davison writes: Having had a lifetime interest in comparative religion - [History](https://anglicanism.org/index-papers/history) - History In Memoriam Bishop Kenneth Fernado In Memoriam Bishop Kenneth FernadoThe Rev'd Marc Millimoira writes in his memorial tribute to the late Bishop Kenneth Fernando: The Right Reverend Kenneth Michael James Fernando, 13th Bishop of Colombo from 1992 to 2000, was the quintessential Audacious Anglican who always tried to hold in balance (and often in - [European Studies](https://anglicanism.org/index-papers/european-studies) - European Studies STEALING FROM THE SARACENS How Islamic Architecture Shaped Europe by Diana Darke STEALING FROM THE SARACENS How Islamic Architecture Shaped Europe by Diana DarkeReview by Rosemary Hart Whither Christendom in the New Year? Whither Christendom in the New Year?Editorial - The Rev'd Dr. Nicholas Henderson - New Year 2021 Historically ‘Christendom’ has had - [Ethics](https://anglicanism.org/index-papers/ethics) - Ethics Update on the assisted dying Bill passing in UK Parliament lower House Update on the assisted dying Bill passing in UK Parliament lower HouseRabbi Jonathan Romain - Chair, Religious Alliance for Dignity in Dying writes to clergy ministerial colleagues of all faiths updating on the passage of of the assisted dying Bill in th - [Environment](https://anglicanism.org/index-papers/environment) - Environment Thinking Biblically About Climate Change Thinking Biblically About Climate ChangeThe Rev'd Prof David P. Gushee writes: I am a Christian ethicist, and a pastor, and wearing both hats I have been asked to address climate change. I understand that this church, and other churches in the region, have committed to the eco-church movement. A - [Education](https://anglicanism.org/index-papers/education) - Education Roman coins in the Gospels and their significance, or Bringing the Gospels up to date — through coins Roman coins in the Gospels and their significance, or Bringing the Gospels up to date — through coinsDr. Richard Reece writes: We see inflation everywhere, but because it is a particularly present problem we tend to - [Ecumenism](https://anglicanism.org/index-papers/ecumenism) - Ecumenism Pope Benedict XVI and Modernism—an assessment Pope Benedict XVI and Modernism—an assessmentProfessor James Stevens Curl assesses Pope Benedict XVI in the light of today's modernism: The death of Joseph Maria Aloisius Ratzinger (1927-2022), who reigned as Pope Benedict XVI from 2005 until 2013, triggered various sobering thoughts in these benighted times. A diligent scholar, - [Ecclesiology](https://anglicanism.org/index-papers/ecclesiology) - Ecclesiology Book review: True Evangelical: the changing face of Anglican Evangelicalism by John Went Book review: True Evangelical: the changing face of Anglican Evangelicalism by John WentReviewer Fr. Keith Mascord writes of John Went's 'True Evangelical': The title of Bishop John Went’s book is, I suspect, deliberately provocative. Is Went saying that he himself is - [Current Affairs](https://anglicanism.org/index-papers/current-affairs) - Current Affairs Is the Iran War actually a religious one? Is the Iran War actually a religious one?The Rev'd Dr. Nicholas Henderson (Editor) write in his Lenten Editorial: The Trumpian concept of regime change is more or less evidenced as a reason for the recent and ongoing unleashing of a huge onslaught on Iran. This - [Culture & Society](https://anglicanism.org/index-papers/culture-society) - Culture & Society Loving the prophet… or maybe not? Mark Rudall explores how pastoral concern for a congregation may actually silence a prophetic voice Loving the prophet… or maybe not? Mark Rudall explores how pastoral concern for a congregation may actually silence a prophetic voiceLoving the prophet… or maybe not? The Rev'd Mark Rudall reflects - [Civil & Human Rights](https://anglicanism.org/index-papers/civil-human-rights) - Civil & Human Rights Hate or Love Hate or LoveThe Rt. Rev’d. Dr. Musonda Trevor Selwyn Mwamba, President of the United National Independence Party (UNIP), Zambia in a message to his fellow Zambian writes: Let me introduce you to Václav Havel’s speech, the Anatomy of Hate, delivered in Oslo in 1990 and published in his - [Bible](https://anglicanism.org/index-papers/bible) - Bible Roman coins in the Gospels and their significance, or Bringing the Gospels up to date — through coins Roman coins in the Gospels and their significance, or Bringing the Gospels up to date — through coinsDr. Richard Reece writes: We see inflation everywhere, but because it is a particularly present problem we tend to - [Apologetics](https://anglicanism.org/index-papers/apologetics) - Apologetics So how might the Church keep up? So how might the Church keep up?Dr. Keven Hall writes: Matthew Syed in the Sunday Times (09/02/2025), writing of current distain for the institutions of democracy, exhorted western politicians to ‘find courage’. It might be said of church these days that, not just finding courage, but also - [Anglican Communion](https://anglicanism.org/index-papers/anglican-communion) - Anglican Communion The Anglican Communion – A way forward The Anglican Communion – A way forwardBishop Keerthisiri Fernando writes in his Letter to the Editor: It is high time for all the members of the world-wide Anglican Communion to realise the true nature of the Anglican fellowship to comprehend the tensions of the 21st century. - [American Studies](https://anglicanism.org/index-papers/american-studies) - American Studies Woke Wars Woke WarsThe Editor, The Rev'd Dr. Nicholas Henderson writes in his Editorial: The etymology of the adjective ‘woke’ is interesting, not least as the word seems central to the so-called culture wars currently ranging in the United States and in many other countries, including the United Kingdom. ... - [African Studies](https://anglicanism.org/index-papers/african-studies) - African Studies Hate or Love Hate or LoveThe Rt. Rev’d. Dr. Musonda Trevor Selwyn Mwamba, President of the United National Independence Party (UNIP), Zambia in a message to his fellow Zambian writes: Let me introduce you to Václav Havel’s speech, the Anatomy of Hate, delivered in Oslo in 1990 and published in his book, “The - [Index & Papers](https://anglicanism.org/index-papers) - Index & PapersThis Index provides access to a library of papers related to the general theme of ‘Anglicanism’. Covering a wide range of subjects associated with an understanding of Anglicanism, the papers are available gratis for research purposes. Standard academic practice quotation of small sections may be used freely with acknowledgement of the author, title - [Editorial archive](https://anglicanism.org/editorial-archive) - Editorial archive Tyrants old and newChristianity in the Middle East v. Sexuality January 2016 The rise and rise of fundamentalismApril 2015 A crescent or a scimitar, a cross or a …?January 2015 Women bishops coming soon in the Church of England?May 2014 Is Anglicanism anti-gay?A reflection on Anglicans and how they should respond to proposed - [Editorial 2021](https://anglicanism.org/editorial-2021) - Editorial 2021 Egregious omicron? Egregious omicron?Christmas Editorial 2021: The Rev'd Dr. Nicholas Henderson - Editor - Until recently, in the lexicon of everyday use, the word ‘egregious’ has been one of the lesser-used adjectival descriptions of conspicuously bad and flagrant behaviour. ... COP26 … and beyond COP26 … and beyondEditorial, Kingdom Season, November 2021 - - [Editorial 2020](https://anglicanism.org/editorial-2020) - Editorial 2020 Advent – a season of barrier breaking?Guest Editorial - Dr. Clare Amos - Advent 2020 One of the consequences of the ongoing global COVID crisis seems to have been that Advent has taken on more significance in our lives … Could the Church of England change its mind on same-sex marriage?Editorial - The - [Editorial 2017-19](https://anglicanism.org/editorial-2017-19) - Editorial 2017-19 Take back controlEditorial - The Rev'd Dr. Nicholas Henderson - Advent 2019 Becoming keepers of the Institution?Guest Editorial – The Rev’d Fr. Andrew T.P. Merrow - Michaelmas 2019 Sexuality isnʼt the only thing Anglicans can talk aboutGuest Editorial - Anthony Woollard - Summer 2019 Christmas past and presentThe Middle East and Western values - [Authors](https://anglicanism.org/authors) - Authors & ContributorsAbdulla, RaficqAmos, Dr. ClareAnglicanism.orgAntonova, Dr. ClemenaAtkinson, Dr GillBadham, The Rev'd Professor PaulBell, The Rev'd Dr. CharlieBell, The Rev'd GeorgianaBillimoira, The Rev'd MarcBoyce-Tillman, The Rev'd Professor JuneBoyd, The Rev'd Professor KennethBrady, Dr. NicolaBraybrooke, The Rev'd Dr. MarcusBryant, HughBukutu, The Venerable Edward T.Cavanagh, The Rev'd Dr. LorraineChadwick, Dr. PriscillaChunga, The Rev'd Fr. Daniel H.Clarke, JennyClatworthy, - [Contact](https://anglicanism.org/contact) - Contact usBy email please: info@anglicanism.org or use the form below. Editor: The Rev’d Dr. Nicholas Henderson Items for publication are welcome and should be sent as e-mail attachments in normal formats. 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