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The Fate of Communion: The Agony of Anglicanism and the Future of a Global Church
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.
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.
320 pages, Paperback
First published May 22, 2006
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April 19, 2021
First of all, this is a very thoughtful, well-researched, and well-written book.
Secondly, this tome was very helpful in assisting this reader in better understanding the integration of various influences in Anglican thinking since the Reformation and how these influences are working themselves out today in the American Church. There is certainly much to be learned from a careful and patient approach to the development of theology, the application of truth, and the reality of needed change in the Church of Jesus Christ in space and time. Also, the authors are correct that it does take love and patience to consider the views of others who are not in one's "niche" corner of Christendom or who are not in line with one's particular interpretation of Anglicanism. Thus, we must work to understand the complexities of being the church in varied cultural and historic settings and to work and pray for a true and growing communion with one another. We will continue to need both patience and prudence.
However, the authors, while seemingly aware of the importance of theology, downplay the clear teaching in Scripture (also taught and embraced by the "primitive church") that unity, courageous authority, and the importance of theological clarity all go hand-in-hand. What we believe as baptized Christians find their beginnings in the very character of our God, and for a church to change its theology in a core area of conservative-orthodoxy or ethics (our catholicity) threatens a church's purity, integrity, and future. Theology is done with the church, not TO the church, BUT it still must be done and articulated for clarity and accountability. There will NEVER be a lasting unity or a strong Anglican Communion worldwide without theological and ethical accountability and CONSEQUENCES for those who in the end refuse repentance and reconciliation. This is clearly taught in the Old and New Testaments, and by those respected Church Fathers who are universally revered. So why do we as Anglicans constantly ignore these central ecclesial truths?
Instead, the authors, claiming Reformational Anglicanism and the Protestant principles on which she relies, present us with a preferable and grand form of conciliarism and patience (which, certainly have their place). This approach does not seem interested in the clear articulation by the "equipping clergy" regarding the writing, preaching, and teaching of Holy Scripture, but preferably that the "the Holy Scriptures are read during Holy Communion amongst the people". What about rebuke, exhortation, and encouragement from the clergy? These things are seemingly not that important to the authors (too much emphasis on the clergy for a post-modern crowd, maybe?). In Eph. 4, Paul seems to think this is the way to avoid false doctrine as the church is built up for service, but for some reason, this is sidestepped. If Holy Scripture and Christian History are correct, then the reality is that NOT EVERYONE IS RIGHT, and, yes, there are STILL FALSE TEACHERS AROUND...even in the Anglican Church.
What is avoided and not addressed in this book are the ramifications of waiting too long or by being too patient with people that show NO MOTIVATION through years in their stated beliefs and actions for real dialogue or accountability. Thus, those who impotently continue to engage pragmatism and conflict-avoidance (in the name of conciliarism) can do irreparable harm as they placate and enable wickedness and clear heterodoxy through the grand scheme of postulated "communion".
The Anglican Communion is a mess, and this book is extremely helpful in parsing this reality for the reader. The authors certainly understand the complexities and the suffering that must be endured at this point by Christians who truly want to be the Church of Jesus Christ to the world as Anglican Christians. What they seem less aware of is that there is "nothing new under the Sun" in regards to the "faith once delivered to the saints" (Jude).
Whatever our core faith is, OUR UNWILLINGNESS TO CLEARLY DEFINE WHAT THEOLOGY IS NON-NEGOTIABLE IN THE ANGLICAN COMMUNION AND OUR INABILITY TO INSIST ON AN AUTHORITY WILLING TO ENFORCE THIS REALITY (whatever that authority is) reveals that we have a CHARACTER, THEOLOGY, AND OBEDIENCE PROBLEM. The Holy Spirit isn't going to do our work for us; we must want his power to be faithful and courageous. As we are told in Ecclesiastes (paraphrase) "there is a time to act, and a time not to act". Through the power of the Holy Spirit, discernment and wisdom must guide us; those who choose one extreme over the other choose error.
Is it likely that we will be able to change our character as a Communion any time soon? No. But avoiding our real diseases just makes diagnosing a cure that much more difficult.
While reform seems impossible in our communion right now. given our current structures and seemingly vacant approaches to theology, practice, and authority, we never know how God is moving and where he will lead us. Let us pray and stay open as his Church to the moving of the Holy Spirit as he continues to work through "what we have always believed everywhere" as Anglicans.
Secondly, this tome was very helpful in assisting this reader in better understanding the integration of various influences in Anglican thinking since the Reformation and how these influences are working themselves out today in the American Church. There is certainly much to be learned from a careful and patient approach to the development of theology, the application of truth, and the reality of needed change in the Church of Jesus Christ in space and time. Also, the authors are correct that it does take love and patience to consider the views of others who are not in one's "niche" corner of Christendom or who are not in line with one's particular interpretation of Anglicanism. Thus, we must work to understand the complexities of being the church in varied cultural and historic settings and to work and pray for a true and growing communion with one another. We will continue to need both patience and prudence.
However, the authors, while seemingly aware of the importance of theology, downplay the clear teaching in Scripture (also taught and embraced by the "primitive church") that unity, courageous authority, and the importance of theological clarity all go hand-in-hand. What we believe as baptized Christians find their beginnings in the very character of our God, and for a church to change its theology in a core area of conservative-orthodoxy or ethics (our catholicity) threatens a church's purity, integrity, and future. Theology is done with the church, not TO the church, BUT it still must be done and articulated for clarity and accountability. There will NEVER be a lasting unity or a strong Anglican Communion worldwide without theological and ethical accountability and CONSEQUENCES for those who in the end refuse repentance and reconciliation. This is clearly taught in the Old and New Testaments, and by those respected Church Fathers who are universally revered. So why do we as Anglicans constantly ignore these central ecclesial truths?
Instead, the authors, claiming Reformational Anglicanism and the Protestant principles on which she relies, present us with a preferable and grand form of conciliarism and patience (which, certainly have their place). This approach does not seem interested in the clear articulation by the "equipping clergy" regarding the writing, preaching, and teaching of Holy Scripture, but preferably that the "the Holy Scriptures are read during Holy Communion amongst the people". What about rebuke, exhortation, and encouragement from the clergy? These things are seemingly not that important to the authors (too much emphasis on the clergy for a post-modern crowd, maybe?). In Eph. 4, Paul seems to think this is the way to avoid false doctrine as the church is built up for service, but for some reason, this is sidestepped. If Holy Scripture and Christian History are correct, then the reality is that NOT EVERYONE IS RIGHT, and, yes, there are STILL FALSE TEACHERS AROUND...even in the Anglican Church.
What is avoided and not addressed in this book are the ramifications of waiting too long or by being too patient with people that show NO MOTIVATION through years in their stated beliefs and actions for real dialogue or accountability. Thus, those who impotently continue to engage pragmatism and conflict-avoidance (in the name of conciliarism) can do irreparable harm as they placate and enable wickedness and clear heterodoxy through the grand scheme of postulated "communion".
The Anglican Communion is a mess, and this book is extremely helpful in parsing this reality for the reader. The authors certainly understand the complexities and the suffering that must be endured at this point by Christians who truly want to be the Church of Jesus Christ to the world as Anglican Christians. What they seem less aware of is that there is "nothing new under the Sun" in regards to the "faith once delivered to the saints" (Jude).
Whatever our core faith is, OUR UNWILLINGNESS TO CLEARLY DEFINE WHAT THEOLOGY IS NON-NEGOTIABLE IN THE ANGLICAN COMMUNION AND OUR INABILITY TO INSIST ON AN AUTHORITY WILLING TO ENFORCE THIS REALITY (whatever that authority is) reveals that we have a CHARACTER, THEOLOGY, AND OBEDIENCE PROBLEM. The Holy Spirit isn't going to do our work for us; we must want his power to be faithful and courageous. As we are told in Ecclesiastes (paraphrase) "there is a time to act, and a time not to act". Through the power of the Holy Spirit, discernment and wisdom must guide us; those who choose one extreme over the other choose error.
Is it likely that we will be able to change our character as a Communion any time soon? No. But avoiding our real diseases just makes diagnosing a cure that much more difficult.
While reform seems impossible in our communion right now. given our current structures and seemingly vacant approaches to theology, practice, and authority, we never know how God is moving and where he will lead us. Let us pray and stay open as his Church to the moving of the Holy Spirit as he continues to work through "what we have always believed everywhere" as Anglicans.
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