The Fate of Communion: The Agony of Anglicanism and the Future of a Global Church - Softcover

Radner, Ephraim; Turner, Philip

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0802863272 ISBN 13: 9780802863270

Publisher: William B Eerdmans Publishing Co, 2007

Synopsis

Current debates over a host of issues, particularly those relating to homosexuality, have left the 70-million-member Anglican Communion straining to understand what it means to be a communion -- and even wondering whether life as a communion is possible. In this timely book two priest-scholars, Ephraim Radner and Philip Turner, examine the future of the concept of "communion" as a viable church structure, tracing its historical development as a self-conscious Anglican third way between Protestant congregationalism and Catholic centralism. In examining this essential issue, Radner and Turner relate the specific challenges of the U.S. Episcopal Church to the unity of the worldwide communion, touching on such divisive subjects as the place of Scripture, liberal theology, and episcopal authority. Their discussion is at once measured and impassioned, erudite and practical. Compelling reading for Episcopalians and those in other traditions who are searching for a truly Christian approach to these thorny topics, The Fate of Communion is a forthright, direct examination of a church in turmoil.

About this title

Review

Stanley Hauerwas
from the foreword
"Even if you have no interest in the Episcopal Church of America or Anglicanism; even if you have no interest in Christianity; even if you have no interest in the disputes surrounding homosexuality in our culture at large; you should benefit from this book. . . Radner and Turner have written an extremely intelligent love letter to the church."
George Lindbeck
Yale University
"This book is both powerful and illuminating, both passionate and scholarly. No better study exists of the pros and cons regarding whether the worldwide Anglican Communion will hold together in the present crisis. Unlike many collaborative works, "The Fate of Communion"is lucid and readable. As a non-Anglican, I can testify to its importance for all those concerned about the future of communion not only in"a"global church, as the subtitle carefully states, but also in"the"church universal."
Christopher Seitz
University of St. Andrews
"A timely, sober, and intelligent account of Anglicanism's travails, equally matched by a bold call to holiness of life in communion and in conciliar forbearance in Christ. In the end this is a hopeful book about God's vocation for Anglican Christianity, that is, for a communion which finds its calling in obedience, mutual submission, and missionary service. In its trenchant analysis of American culture, "The Fate of Communion"is much more than a book for Anglicans alone."
"International Bulletin of Missionary Research"
"[This reader] is grateful for the clarity of the analysis and the theological rigor whereby the authors seek to establish the historic principle of the authority of Holy Scripture in the church's life as a communion."
"Good News"
"At first I thought ["The Fate of Communion"] wasn't a book for me. . . But then I was hooked and had trouble putting it down. Because here are two deeply serious, conservative Episcopalians who are looking at the turmoil in the church with a loving concern and an intelligent and faithful hope for the future."
"First Things"
"Radner and Turner offer a challenging vision, perhaps an impossible one. But it is the best on offer for the Anglican Communion, and"The Fate of Communion"contains much to ponder.""

Synopsis

In this timely book, two priest-scholars, Ephraim Radner and Philip Turner, examine the future of the concept of "communion" as a viable church structure, tracing its historical development as a self-conscious Anglican third way between Protestant congregationalism and Catholic centralism. In examining this essential issue, Radner and Turner relate the specific challenges of the U.S. Episcopal Church to the unity of the worldwide communion, touching on such divisive subjects as the place of Scripture, liberal theology, and episcopal authority. Their discussion is at once measured and impassioned, erudite and practical.

Edition details

• Publisher: William B Eerdmans Publishing Co
• Publication date: 2007
• ISBN 10: 0802863272
• ISBN 13: 9780802863270
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 306