Posted on: July 17, 2017 1:45 PM
The official launch has taken place of the first ever
multi-volume history of worldwide Anglicanism to be published by a major
university press. The Oxford History of Anglicanism, in five volumes, covers the growth of
worldwide Anglicanism with more than 100 international scholars contributing.
Three volumes have appeared already and a further two are due later this year.
The person who had the idea for these
volumes is Professor Rowan Strong, who oversaw the whole ten year process and
worked with the individual editors, as well as being the editor of the third
volume. He comes from Anglican Church of Australia, and teaches at
Murdoch University in Perth.
The study looks at how Anglican identity was
constructed and contested at various periods from the sixteenth century and
what has been its historical influence during the past six centuries. It
explores not just the ecclesiastical and theological aspects of global
Anglicanism, but also the political, social, economic, and cultural influences
of this form of Christianity that has been historically significant in western
culture, and a burgeoning force in non-western societies today. The chapters
are written by international experts in their various historical fields which
includes the most recent research in their areas, as well as original research.
Speaking at the official launch, the
Director for Unity, Faith and Order at the Anglican Communion Office,
Canon John Gibaut, described the five volumes as a timely gift: “There has been
a flourishing of scholarly reflection on various elements of the Anglican
tradition in recent decades: our history, ecclesiology, theology, theological
methodology, canon law, liturgy, the quest for holiness and so much more.
The most comprehensive contributions are in these three—soon to be five—volumes
of The Oxford History of Anglicanism.”
Canon John reflected that the context for
the volume, as well as for many other recent publications, “is one of crisis
that goes to the core of what it means to be Anglican, what it means to be
Church and a communion of churches in the Anglican tradition. The strains
that signal new limits to diversity are indicators of a crisis of Anglican
identity, both within provincial churches, and between them” he said. He
described the volumes as a challenge to the Anglican Communion, and also a sign
of hope.
At approximately 135 US dollars (£95) per
volume, Canon John also appealed for assistance so that the books can be
supplied to theological libraries in the global south: “From the
perspective of the Anglican Communion, I would urge that arrangements be made
that these volumes find their way into our theological libraries - so that as
they disclose our common past, they might nourish the seeds of our global
destiny.”
Ver más aquí: http://www.anglicannews.org/news/2017/07/launch-of-the-new-oxford-history-of-anglicanism.aspx
