Canterbury Studies in Spiritual Theology – serie

The renowned Anglican biblical scholar Charlie Moule, as he was popularly known, came from an eminent church and missionary family. He obtained a first at Cambridge and trained for ordination at Ridley Hall where his grandfather was once Principal and where he himself became Vice-Principal at the age of 28. His Cambridge career culminated in his appointment as Lady Margaret Professor of Divinity, a post he held for 25 years, where he influenced a generation of Anglican leaders including Rowan Williams (at whose wedding he officiated), John Sentamu and the late Graham Stanton, his successor as Lady Margaret Professor. Charlie Moule died in 2007. He wrote a number of definitive texts in New Testament studies, but here is not the scholarly professor, but the humble and prayerful man (nicknamed 'Holy Mouley') reflecting widely on Christian practice and belief, biblical questions and contemporary challenges. The text of Rowan Williams' memorial service address is included and his nephew Patrick Moule, provides a preface.

Archbishop Thomas Cranmer (1489-1556) played a critical, formative role in the creation and development of the Church of England, from his sudden and dramatic appointment as Archbishop of Canterbury in 1532, through his granting of Henry VIII's divorce from Queen Katharine, his emergence under Edward VI as a determined reformer in the mould of his European contemporaries, and to his memorable death under Mary Tudor in 1556. He is best remembered as the prime editor and creator of the two Books of Common Prayer of 1549 and 1552, and these indeed stand at the head of Anglican liturgical identity and tradition. Their influence and importance cannot be overstated. This book seeks to offer a survey of his growth and development as theologian and leader of the church through the lens of his written work: not only liturgy, but also homilies, correspondence and official doctrinal statements. This volume introduces Cranmer as a churchman, theologian and liturgist whose original contribution to Anglican spirituality in its earliest, formative moments cannot be underestimated.

Evelyn Underhill (1875-1941) was one of the most widely read spiritual writers in the first half of the 20th century. A prolific writer of letters and diaries as well as novels and spiritual works, she was a popular broadcaster, speaker and retreat leader. She was one of the most prominent Anglo-Catholics of her generation. Fascinated with the nature and meaning of mystical experiences from childhood, her classic works focused on the spiritual life. Yet as a disciple of Hugel, she came to value practical Christian service equally. For her, both the practical Martha and the mystical Mary were needed to offer perfect service to Christ. Her books continue to be widely read and studied and a thriving Evelyn Underhill Association keeps her memory and influence fully alive. Here are selected extracts from a wide variety of her writings – from her books and from less accessible sources – together with a valuable introduction and commentary.

John and Charles Wesley generated a heritage that reaches well beyond the worldwide Methodist movement which they founded. The rise, development and effect of early Methodism was an Anglican phenomenon, and deserves attention and recognition as such.This collection of their essential writings shows how the Wesleys interpreted and balanced the emphases of the 18th century Church of England with passion and vision, harnessing resources from across the breadth of Anglican thought and practice (and beyond) to forge a distinctive, dynamic and influential approach to religious experience.This volume places the Wesleys firmly in their own world and examines the ways in which their theology and practice was a fusion of diverse elements from the whole Christian tradition, giving impetus to the only enterprise that really concerned them: Christian mission. The Wesley's generous, reasonable and compelling vision is one of Anglicanism's finest contributions to the Church Catholic, one whose wisdom and influence endures across the world.

Charles Gore (1853-1932) is a towering figure in Anglicanism. His independence of mind and prophetic spirit model a way of doing theology with rigour of thought, clarity, deep devotion and practical pastoral concern. An influential leader in the Anglo-Catholic movement, his writings and lectures on the incarnation, the doctrine of God, revelation, faith and reason, the nature of the church and sacraments, ecumenism, authority and biblical inspiration, shaped theological discussion for decades. Today, they still offer a comprehensive vision of the Christian faith in dialogue with modern thought, and provide a platform for exploring key contemporary issues in social and economic justice.The first Bishop of Birmingham, he founded the Community of the Resurrection (now at Mirfield) and actively supported the emerging trade union movement. His writings on the responsibilities of employers have a biting relevance today. This collection of his writings draws on his published and unpublished works, letters and archive material held at Mirfield.

William Temple was one of the towering figures in the Church of England in the twentieth century. He was a philosopher, theologian, social reformer, bishop and archbishop. As Archbishop of Canterbury he guided a nation at war and helped pave the way of the new post-war society, coining the term ‘the welfare state’ and building support in the Church of England for radical social reforms. This comprehensive volume draws on Temple’s extensive publications, broadcasts, public speeches, sermons and private letters and reflects the broad range of his concerns:•The case for Christian belief•The interface of theology and philosophy •Spiritual formation of the faithful•Christian social principles and political thought•Guiding a nation at war and envisaging a new society Prefaced by an extensive introduction to Temple’s life and times and an overview of the key aspects of his legacy, Stephen Spencer provides students with an authoritative guide to one of Anglicanism’s most influential figures.

Rowan Williams freely admits to the profound influence of Michael Ramsey, one of the greatest Archbishops of the 20th century and a man of great spiritual depth who inspired a generation of Anglicans. Apart from one or two exceptions, his books are out of print, and many will welcome this new selection of his writings. Arranged around the church's year, it explores all the great themes of the Christian faith and is ideal for devotional reading, for study and for sermon preparation.

Austin Farrer was part of the extraordinary mid-20th century group of 'Oxford Christians', which also included C S Lewis, J R R Tolkien, Charles Williams and Dorothy Sayers. Described as 'the one genius that the Church of England produced' in the last century and 'author of incomparably the most interesting theological books ever to come out of Oxford', his great legacy is that his considerable learning expressed itself as practical spiritual direction. He believed that after all the argument, analysis and sifting of evidence, the purpose of theology was to show how to live and how to love. He died in 1968 and his many books are now out of print. Here is a thematically arranged anthology of his most influential writings with an extended introduction that assesses his contribution to Anglican life and through today.

Gregory Dix, an Anglican Benedictine monk, scholar, writer and broadcaster, was one of the most engaging public figures of his day. His classic work, The Shape of the Liturgy, has remained in print for 60 years and is an unsurpassed account of the origins of the Eucharist which continues to influence the Eucharistic rites of many Christian Churches today. Apart from this magnum opus, Gregory Dix left many pamphlets, papers, sermons, radio talks and other unpublished texts. From this remarkable archive, Simon Jones has created a text that will be valued in teaching, study, and as devotional reading for a new generation. It focuses on topics as central as the subject of his classic work on the Eucharist baptism, ministry, holy order, the Christian life, unity.

The Oxford Movement sprang into life in the 1830s in reaction to the liberalisation of theology and in response to new freedoms for Catholics in society. It was an opportunity for Anglicans who regarded themselves as loyal to Rome, despite the interruption of the Reformation, to promote Catholic theology in the Church of England. A high doctrine of the Church and the sacraments, ritualistic worship and the revival of religious life - plus remarkable social work in slum areas - all characterise what we now call Anglo-Catholicism, still alive and well and accounting for a third of the C of E today. Here the writings of the leading lights of the Oxford Movement are introduced with a useful commentary and explanation.

The 17th century writer Thomas Traherne is increasingly being recognised and studied as a theologian as well as a poet. The discovery, in 1997, announced by the author of this volume, of five new prose works and a poetic work has given huge impetus to the study of Traherne in literature and theology. This affordable, concise introduction to Traherne's life and work concerns Traherne primarily as a theologian and places him in an historical and intellectual context he has thus far lacked. It demonstrates his distinctive contribution to Anglican theology. Consisting of a 10,000 word introductory essay and biography it is followed by extracts from Traherne's work under the following headings: Creatures and Powers, Holiness and Happiness, Sin and Salvation, Christian Liberty, Advice on Ministry, and Prayers.

Lancelot Andrewes (1555-1626) was a towering figure in the formative years of the Church of England. Averse to the puritanical spirit of the age, he helped to create a distinctive Anglican theology, moderate in outlook and catholic in tone. He believed that theology should be built on sound learning, he held a high doctrine of the Eucharist and he emphasised dignity and order in worship. His influence defines Anglicanism to this day.A devout scholar and gifted linguist, he served as Dean of Westminster and under James I became Bishop of Chichester, then Ely and finally Winchester. In 1604 he was appointed as one of the translators of the Authorized Version and became responsible for most of the Old Testament. It was as a preacher that he achieved the greatest fame and he was a favourite of Elizabeth I, James I and Charles I. His spiritual classic, "The Private Devotions of Lancelot Andrewes" was for personal prayer what the "Book of Common Prayer" was for the worship of the Church. Here is a wide selection from his writings and a general introduction.