Voice in the Wilderness

Joshua Hordern is Professor of Christian Ethics at the University of Oxford and a member of the Church of England’s Faith and Order Commission.Graham Tomlin taught theology in Oxford and London for many years, was Bishop of Kensington in London, and is currently Editor-in-Chief of SeenandUnseen.com. He is also Chair of the Inter-Anglican Standing Commission on Unity, Faith and Order.

This book is essential reading. Should the established church retain its unique, privileged role in the life of the country? With a new King, new church leadership, talk of a ‘quiet revival’ in religious belief and church attendance, and attempts by ethno-nationalist forces to appropriate religion, it is time to rethink the relationship between faith and the public realm. This diverse, thoughtful and timely collection will be a vital resource for all of those interested in exploring many of the most challenging issues facing our society and democracy over the coming years.

• IntroductionJoshua Hordern and Graham TomlinPart I: Faith1 Time to Realign our Loyalties: Taking Leave of EstablishmentJonathan Chaplin2 ‘As for me and my house.’ Nations, States, and Corporate Religious Agency in the BibleJohn Ritzema3 People, Place and Gospel Purpose: Anglican Identity, Inheritance and Pathways of FidelityEleanor Sanderson4 The Characteristic Voice of the Church of EnglandEdward Dowler5 A Legitimate Witness: On Loyalty to the Church of England’s Inheritance of FaithJoshua HordernPart II: History6 Parliament, Constitution and the Voice of the ChurchDominic Grieve7 Adapt and Survive: The Role of the Coronation in Legitimising the Church of England Through Combining Change and TraditionCatherine Pepinster8 Gender, Sex and the future of EstablishmentMark Chapman9 Is the Church of England More than just the Religious Wing of Multiculturalism?Tom HollandPart III: Place10 Make straight a highway for our GodJill Duff11 The Church in Place: An Earthed and Enduring HeritageMarcus Walker12 Why do we have bishops in the Lords?James Newcome13 The Public Legitimacy of the Church of England in the Anglican CommunionGraham TomlinPart IV: Transcendence14 The Beyond in our Midst: Transcendence, the Church, and National LifeDavid Fergusson15 The Political Necessity of Transcendence: Why our politics needs a legitimate voice from the Church of EnglandMalcolm Brown16 A Church That Transcends DivisionDaniel Greenberg17 The Role of the Church of England in a Multifaith DemocracyDilwar Hussain18 Remarks on TranscendenceShermara Fletcher-Hoyte