Great Tradition - A Great Labour

D.H. Williams is Professor of Religion in Patristics and Historical Theology at Baylor University, Waco, Texas. William's recent books include Tradition, Scripture and Interpretation: A Sourcebook of the Ancient Church (2006). Philip Harrold is Associate Professor of Church History, Trinity School for Ministry (Anglican), Ambridge, Pennsylvania. Harrold's most recent book is A Place Somewhat Apart: The Private Worlds of a Late Nineteenth-Century Public University (2006).

'... a challenging and stimulating book, emanating from an important reawakening within Evangelicalism.'' Fr Ian McCormack in New Directions, August 2012. 'It reveals that the Great Tradition is still a topic of discussion among Evangelicals who see themselves as struggling with their identity in an ecclesial landscape that, at least in the West, seems dominated by those who appear to have little respect for the tradition. By holding up a mirror to themselves, however, some of the authors reveal that Evangelicals have also been too ready to dismiss the tradition, at least in relation to worship, and even creeds. The ability for self-reflection is a crucial starting point for convergence or reunion in a divided communion.'Mark Chapman in Journal of Anglican Studies, September 2012 " How do we inhabit or indwell this variegated resource? Not primarily by studying doctrinal statements, they [the contributors to The Great Tradition] say, but by immersing ourselves in the concrete practices of the Church through the ages. It is these practices, rather than theological propositions, that constitute the tradition. What is being rediscovered is the power of liturgical, sacramental worship. You cannot worship liturgically, with an awareness of all that is shared with patristic, medieval, or Reformation sources, without a growing sense of the Church's extending through time and space, and a corresponding concern for "the total well-being of the body of Christ. " Revd Professor Paul Avis in Church Times, 9th November 2012"...These essays inspire readers to engage more deeply the topics and to explore how they can interact with various contexts for ministry to carry on the Great Tradition. Each of these essays is excellent and contributes to profound depth and breadth within the pages..." Craig Stephans, Theological book review, Vol. 24, No 2, 2012.'Here, Simon Chan's emphasis on the epicletic orientation of the church can provide a necessary pneumatological resource to ground the church's practices across traditions, particularly as they are embodied in the Eucharist, as well as supply a key focal point between East and West.'Andrew Kinsey, Reviews in Religion & Theology, Volume 20, Issue 4, September 2013'[The Great Tradition-A Great Labour] reveals that the Great Tradition is still a topic of discussion among Evangelicals who see themselves as struggling with their identity in an ecclesial landscape that, at least in the West, seems dominated by those who appear to have little respect for the tradition.'Mark Chapman, Journal of Anglican Studies, Vol. 11, Issue 2, November 2013

• List of ContributorsIntroduction by Philip Harrold1. The Labor of Defining and Interpreting the Tradition -D. H. Williams2. Authentic Participation in the Great Tradition -Tony Clark3. Presumption, Preparation, Parresia, Perichoresis, and Worship -Edith Humphrey4. The Future of the Liturgy: A Pentecostal Contribution -Simon Chan5. Community: To What End? -D. Stephen Long6. Apostolic Ministry Revisited -George Sumner7. Emerging Church: A Victorian Prequel -Dominic Erdozain