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The Shape of Anglican Theology
Faith Seeking Wisdom
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There are numerous books that offer an historical account of Anglican theology or that detail the lives and work of particular Anglican theologians. Books that focus on the nature and character of Anglican theology itself, however, are hard to find. This volume fills that gap. In
The Shape of Anglican Theology, Scott MacDougall examines what it is that makes Anglican theology Anglican. Beginning with a treatment of the ways in which Anglican theology is and is not distinct from other types of Christian theology, he describes the theological features that mark the general boundaries of Anglican theologizing before turning to consider a set of eight interconnected characteristics that provide Anglican theology with its distinctive profile. MacDougall argues that, by setting its boundaries as widely as possible and requiring subscription to specific theological propositions as little as possible, Anglican theology is in essence a wisdom theology that seeks to build the capacity for faithful Christian discernment in belief and practice.
Scott MacDougall, Ph.D. (Fordham University, 2014), is Associate Professor of Theology at Church Divinity School of the Pacific, Berkeley, California. He is Co-Editor-in-Chief of the
Anglican Theological Review, and Theologian to the House of Deputies of the Episcopal Church.
"[T]he transformation of Anglican theology from the 1950s in Britain and the United States to the present day is quite extraordinary, and MacDougall’s book is a wonderful paean to Anglican theology’s search for wisdom in our communal and personal discipleship. I hope the book will not only be widely read, but will become a standard text for students." Peter Sedgwick in
Ecclesiology 19:3, pp 362-366.
" Overall, this is an excellent contribution to the field of Anglican studies. Whereas histories and biographies of Anglicanism and its major figures abound, few have attempted to capture the spirit and shape of Anglican theology in a way that is both faithful to Anglican history and broad enough to encompass Anglican diversity", Randall J. Price in Irish Theological Quarterly 87.4.
Scott MacDougall not only perceptively identifies wisdom-seeking as the heart of Anglican theology, he also contributes to the complex ecology that he describes. He illuminates both past and present, vividly portrays key features, and gives a sense of Anglican thinking flourishing in many modes, and full of promise for church, academy and society. - David F. Ford, Regius Professor of Divinity Emeritus, University of Cambridge
This is an extremely lucid and beautifully written treatment of what makes Anglican Theology distinctive. MacDougall captures wonderfully both the generous spirit and the discriminating power of Anglican Theology. As a form of faith seeking wisdom, MacDougall argues, Anglican Theology helps us to discern the contours of a properly Christian life, especially on contested questions. - Kathryn Tanner, Frederick Marquand Professor of Systematic Theology, Yale Divinity School
Scott MacDougall’s account of the Anglican theological tradition draws discerningly on all the latest theological commentators and concludes that there is indeed a coherent ’shape’ to Anglicanism, one that is more ’sapiential’ (in the Augustinian sense) than strictly ‘intellectual’. Moreover it is a tradition that particularly needs defence today, as new forms of both authoritarianism and relativism undermine our sense of how religious reason and wisdom might be maintained in the face of hostile forces. This is an analysis worthy of close perusal and one to be commended for its depth, balance and scholarly incisiveness. - Sarah Coakley, FBA, Norris-Hulse Professor of Divinity emerita, University of Cambridge.
Scott MacDougall provides a compelling introduction to the rhythms and timbre of Anglican theology. He digs down into Anglicanism's knotted history, and looks upward toward the possibilities that have germinated within that history. He invites readers to recognise the shape of theological endeavour that has come to characterise the Anglican tradition, and to inhabit more fully some of the claims characteristically made of it: to commit to a more diverse, more inclusive, more peaceable exploration of the deep things of God. His is an inviting picture of Anglican theology as an always unfinished communal project, stretching out towards wisdom. - Mike Higton, Professor of Theology and Ministry, Durham University, author of The Life of Christian Doctrine.
" Overall, this is an excellent contribution to the field of Anglican studies. Whereas histories and biographies of Anglicanism and its major figures abound, few have attempted to capture the spirit and shape of Anglican theology in a way that is both faithful to Anglican history and broad enough to encompass Anglican diversity", Randall J. Price in Irish Theological Quarterly 87.4.
Scott MacDougall not only perceptively identifies wisdom-seeking as the heart of Anglican theology, he also contributes to the complex ecology that he describes. He illuminates both past and present, vividly portrays key features, and gives a sense of Anglican thinking flourishing in many modes, and full of promise for church, academy and society. - David F. Ford, Regius Professor of Divinity Emeritus, University of Cambridge
This is an extremely lucid and beautifully written treatment of what makes Anglican Theology distinctive. MacDougall captures wonderfully both the generous spirit and the discriminating power of Anglican Theology. As a form of faith seeking wisdom, MacDougall argues, Anglican Theology helps us to discern the contours of a properly Christian life, especially on contested questions. - Kathryn Tanner, Frederick Marquand Professor of Systematic Theology, Yale Divinity School
Scott MacDougall’s account of the Anglican theological tradition draws discerningly on all the latest theological commentators and concludes that there is indeed a coherent ’shape’ to Anglicanism, one that is more ’sapiential’ (in the Augustinian sense) than strictly ‘intellectual’. Moreover it is a tradition that particularly needs defence today, as new forms of both authoritarianism and relativism undermine our sense of how religious reason and wisdom might be maintained in the face of hostile forces. This is an analysis worthy of close perusal and one to be commended for its depth, balance and scholarly incisiveness. - Sarah Coakley, FBA, Norris-Hulse Professor of Divinity emerita, University of Cambridge.
Scott MacDougall provides a compelling introduction to the rhythms and timbre of Anglican theology. He digs down into Anglicanism's knotted history, and looks upward toward the possibilities that have germinated within that history. He invites readers to recognise the shape of theological endeavour that has come to characterise the Anglican tradition, and to inhabit more fully some of the claims characteristically made of it: to commit to a more diverse, more inclusive, more peaceable exploration of the deep things of God. His is an inviting picture of Anglican theology as an always unfinished communal project, stretching out towards wisdom. - Mike Higton, Professor of Theology and Ministry, Durham University, author of The Life of Christian Doctrine.
Contents
Acknowledgments
A Note on Dates and Names
Abstract
Keywords
Introduction: Why the Shape of Anglican Theology?
1 The General Shape of Anglican Theology, Determining Its Domain
2 The General Shape of Anglican Theology, Beating Its Bounds
3 The Particular Shape of Anglican Theology: Specifying Its Character
Conclusion: The Shape of Anglican Theology to Come
Selected Annotated Bibliography
Index
Acknowledgments
A Note on Dates and Names
Abstract
Keywords
Introduction: Why the Shape of Anglican Theology?
1 The General Shape of Anglican Theology, Determining Its Domain
2 The General Shape of Anglican Theology, Beating Its Bounds
3 The Particular Shape of Anglican Theology: Specifying Its Character
Conclusion: The Shape of Anglican Theology to Come
Selected Annotated Bibliography
Index
All interested in the character of Anglican theology, its historical development, current profile, and future trajectories, and anyone interested in theological method and practice