The Promise of Anglicanism

Reviews / Votes

"The heart of Anglicanism is forged in inter-cultural encounter. This book tells that story, and challenges the Church of today to embody its calling afresh ." -- Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury "If Anglicanism were a person, this would be an honest biography that embraces both hope and struggle. This biography doesn't romanticise the early years, nor does it skip over the awkward adolescent phase that Anglicanism stalls in at times: worried about relationships, authority, and, of course, sex. It is in these growing pains and inner contests, alongside worship, mission, and ministry, that the promise of Anglicanism is to be found. For as this hope-filled tour de force of Anglicanism makes clear, Anglicanism is a tradition shaped by lived experience of Christ, whose incomplete identity continues to unfold in a complex world. On the cusp of a Lambeth Conference and entering a new decade of Anglicanism, The Promise of Anglicanism could not be a better placed, nor more challenging, text for all to read." -- Jennifer Strawbridge, University of Oxford, UK "This is an exceptional book by two of the most gifted commentators on Anglicanism today. Robert Heaney and William Sachs have crafted an outstanding volume that explores the coherence of the global Anglican Communion, and look afresh at the challenges and opportunities presented in mission and ministry. Intellectually stimulating - and yet admirably accessible - this book is a must for all in the field of ecclesiology and those engaged in the study of Anglican polity today." -- Martyn Percy, Dean, Christ Church, Oxford "A succinct, well crafted and edifying account about our identity as the Anglican family. I commend this apt resource to all who want to catch a glimpse of identity , promise and vocation as Anglicans. A timely book." -- Thabo Makgoba, Archbishop of Cape Town "...a compelling, wide-ranging and deeply informed account of the development of Anglicanism from the beginnings of Christianity to contemporary post-colonial critiques. Sachs and Heaney offer a refreshingly upbeat vision for the future of a global Communion that so often seems riven by conflict. Re-imagining Anglicanism as Catholicity from below, they emphasize the importance of context in building the community of faith. Anglicanism grows through the inevitable contestation between context and catholicity as it responds to new situations. This offers a hope-filled promise for the future as Anglicans continue to work together despite their many differences in mutual service of the Gospel." -- Mark Chapman, Ripon College Cuddesdon, UK "A magnificent review of Anglican history, highlighting the crucial contribution of African and Asian Christians to the modern Anglican Communion. Despite the fractious recent history of the Communion, the authors dare to hope that the deep Anglican sense of being "a fellowship of communities of mission practice" will overcome cultural and theological divisions between liberal and conservative, North and South. The authors quote the powerful comment of the first African Anglican Bishop, Samuel Crowther: 'if we pulled out all the logs that smoked, the food would never be cooked'. I heartily commend this book." -- Kevin Ward, University of Leeds