What Anglicans Believe: An Introduction

by Samuel Wells

Born at a time of intense religious controversy, Anglicanism was marked from the start by an ability to hold opposing Catholic and Protestant tendencies together in a wise and generous spirit. Rooted in the earliest formularies of faith, it was able to withstand many passing theological disputes. As disagreements threaten once again to separate one Christian from another, here is a succinct and timely reminder of the core beliefs and values that unite all Anglicans so powerfully. What Anglicans Believe is ideal for new and seasoned but weary believers. A refreshing and inspirational guide, it is arranged in four The Faith – what we believe The Source of the Faith – the famous 3-legged stool of Scripture, reason and tradition The Order of the Faith – how our worship and mission reflect our beliefs The Character of the Faith – how our history equips us to deal with new challenges

Genres: Christianity, Theology, Religion

134 pages

First published January 1, 2011

About the author

Samuel Wells (PhD, University of Durham) is vicar of St. Martin-in-the-Fields Anglican Church at Trafalgar Square in London. He previously served as dean of the chapel and research professor of Christian ethics at Duke University. Wells is the author of several books, including Be Not Afraid, Improvisation: The Drama of Christian Ethics, and Transforming Fate into Destiny: The Theological Ethics of Stanley Hauerwas. He also coedited, with Stanley Hauerwas, The Blackwell Companion to Christian Ethics.

Reviews

[Nick Imrie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wells uses phrases like: 'the historicity of salvation', which had me straining to recollect my university days when I knew what historicity meant, or at least, I could use it in an essay, which is not quite the same thing but that's a different topic.

So while this is a good and informative book, I'm not sure how many actual facts it managed to lodge in my memory. It left me instead, with a general feeling of patriotism, which I'm not at all sure was the intended effect. I like the idea of the Anglican Church refusing to get drawn into precise stances on theory and instead focusing on the practice of religion. Just take communion; and call it The Lord's Supper or mass or whatever you like, and have your own opinion about consubstantiation or receptionism or what have you.
We've got some good churches, a lovely prayer book, and a history of good works, and these things are worthwhile.

The final chapter covered the Anglican Church worldwide with admirable tact, I think. Not a global English church by any means, but more a Church that happened to grow from here; just as the faith came here from elsewhere in turn.

[Caleb · Rating 3 out of 5]

A clear, succinct, and ecumenical overview of basic Anglican theology, polity, and history. Good for beginners - it whet my appetite to know more.

[Nathan Price · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reasonably engaging and concise, although the theological chapters felt eurocentric and I would have preferred more engagement with global Anglican perspectives, something the history chapter accomplished albeit briefly. Despite being about Anglicanism, that same chapter focused narrowly on Anglican history without much engagement with wider church history, which seems like an oversight when most Anglican churches claim apostolic succession which they see as significant. I also wish the history chapter had come first as it would have emphasised the embodied dimension of faith better and contextualised some of the disagreements highlighted in the theological chapters.

My biggest gripe is that certain controversies were skimmed over without reasonable engagement, particularly the doctrine of Hell, and I don't think brevity is an adequate excuse to dismiss such weighty topics. Kind of wish there was more explicit engagement with primary and secondary sources as it was, at times, unclear whether the author was appropriately representing the differing sides of a discussion.

My favourite part of the book was going over the Apostle's Creed and talking about its applications to Anglicanism. Very engaging way of presenting the theology.

Unsure if I'd recommend to others who are new to Anglicanism but I don't regret reading it.

[Stanley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finalized with introducing the unity in diversity among individual churches in the Anglican Communion. However as a curious Korean Christian, it is pity that Asian churches are totally ignored. I am not Anglican strictly and that was why I first started this book: to know about WHAT ANGLICANS BELIEVE. Of course I tried some Korean literature on Anglicanism in Korea but I couldn't find any. Maybe it is not that opaque that the intention of Wells by omitting Asia totally is that there is not actually anything to say Anglican Church in Asia

[Michael King · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good primer for the uninitiated

[Caroline Button · Rating 3 out of 5]

I did find this really hard going at times, I found chapter 3 most helpful The orders of faith. It is a very academic read, and I think it could have been written in a more reader friendly way

[KnKnism · Rating 5 out of 5]

very comprehensive and concise overview of the anglican church, its beliefs and history.