Affirming Catholicism – serie

This book sets out the theological case for ordination of women bishops in the Church of England. In 'Women as Bishops' a range of contributors argue that it is not only possible but desirable that women be ordained bishops in the Church, and that the Church of England has the competence to do so and should proceed now. Contributors to the book include Oxford theologians Dr Mark Chapman, Dr Charlotte Methuen and Dr Jane Shaw and also theologians from the Old Catholic and Methodist Churches as well as leading Roman Catholic proponent for women's ordination, Dr John Wijngaards. Separate chapters deal specifically with the criticisms raised by the Roman Catholic bishops of England and Wales and conservative anglo-catholics. So far the debate has lacked a clear, positive voice from a Catholic perspective in favour of women bishops. We hope that this book redresses that balance. The publication comes at a crucial time after the General Synod of the Church of England has decided to proceed towards the consecration of women bishops.

This book is a collection of essays by leading theologians and church leaders on the implications of the proposed Anglican Covenant, which has been offered as a solution to the recent crises facing worldwide Anglicanism. At the Anglican Primates' meeting in February 2007 a draft Covenant was commended for study by the constituent churches of the Anglican Communion. This book presents a sober and dispassionate discussion of the theology and politics behind the Covenant. The writers represent a number of different theological traditions and disciplines within and beyond Anglicanism. What unites them is a desire to understand other opinions and to listen to different views. The contributors include theological educators, church historians, ethicists, biblical scholars, and canonists from different parts of the Anglican Communion and from ecumenical partners. While the book aims to be dispassionate and to stand apart from the rhetoric of ecclesiastical parties, it also offers original and thought-provoking discussions based on detailed and thorough scholarship.In his introduction Mark Chapman discusses the development of the authority structures of the Anglican Communion, as well as the recent history of conflict between the member churches, particularly over the issue of homosexuality. Ecumenical reflections on conciliarity are offered by Paul McPartlan, a leading Roman Catholic scholar, and Kenneth Wilson, a prominent Methodist. John Barton, Professor of Old Testament at Oxford University, contributes a chapter on the concept of Covenant in the Old Testament tradition. This book provides a valuable resource for global Anglicanism as it begins to develop the final version of the Covenant over the coming years. It will be crucial reading for all those involved in preparing for the Lambeth Conference of 2008.

This title presents a fresh look at the issue of establishment of the Church of England in an ecumenical, multi-cultural and secular context. This book offers a definitive account of the recent history and theology of the establishment of the Church of England. Written in an accessible style and at the same time rooted in serious scholarship, it offers a range of views and opinions as well as an awareness of contemporary political and social problems. It asks a number of penetrating questions, including the key issue of the extent to which churches, and particularly the Church of England, can be protected from equality legislation, while at the same time expecting to have special political and social privileges. This issue relates to the thorny problems of the reform of the House of Lords, and even to the future of the Monarchy. While there is no effort to impose a particular agenda or solution, the book is nevertheless often provocative and suggests a number of ways forward for establishment. It is intended as a lively contribution to an often-overlooked debate, which has nevertheless become increasingly important in the multi-cultural context of contemporary Britain."Affirming Catholicism" is a progressive movement in the Anglican Church, drawing inspiration and hope from the Catholic tradition, confident that it will bear the gifts of the past into the future. The books in this series aim to make the Catholic element within Anglicanism once more a positive force for the Gospel, and a model for effective mission today.

A collection of essays by theologians and church leaders on the past, present and future of Anglican theology in the context of the Lambeth Conference of 2008. It assesses the principal theological strands of the classical Anglican tradition (Scripture, Tradition and Reason).

This book offers a sustained reflection by leading Roman Catholic and Anglican writers on Mary's great song of praise and transformation, the "Magnificat", in the context of contemporary struggles across the world and global inequalities. The different contributors relate the story of Mary to issues of international justice, regarding this as one of the key themes of mission and evangelism. In his sparkling essay on the implications of Mary's 'making space' for God, James Alison challenges the reader to 'make space' for an inclusive God.From their very different perspectives, Linda Hogan, Margaret Magdalen and Mongezi Guma go on to address the issue of justice and what it means to be human in the light of Mary's story. Mark Chapman takes up the problem of Christian politics, and how easy it is for Christians to become overly-fixated on church affairs at the expense of the suffering world. Similarly, Michael Doe sees the contemporary Anglican struggles about issues in human sexuality as a distraction from far more pressing matters, challenging the Anglican Communion to learn from the many examples of new life across the globe.In a lively piece, Joe Cassidy challenges Christians to think again about the universality of Christian ethics. Finally, Stephen Cottrell offers a vision of a world turned upside down and presents a call for a renewed sense of mission to combat the inherent destructiveness of so much recent political thinking.Affirming Catholicism is a progressive movement in the Anglican Church, drawing inspiration and hope from the Catholic tradition, confident that it will bear the gifts of the past into the future. The books in this series aim to make the Catholic element within Anglicanism once more a positive force for the Gospel, and a model for effective mission today.