Richard Hooker and the Authority of Scripture, Tradition and Reason

by Nigel Atkinson

There is no doubt that Richard Hooker (1554-1600) is one of the most important writers in the history of the Church of England. However, since John Henry Newman presented him as a "theologian of the via media" he has been consistently overlooked by evangelical Anglicans. This well-documented and detailed analysis of the theological first principles of the 'father of Anglicanism' challenges the traditional consensus. The author examines three key elements of Hooker's theology-namely, the authority of reason, tradition and Scripture and evaluates Hooker's approach in the light of his debates with contemporary Puritans including Walter Travers, Thomas Cartwright and William Tyndale. His views are then compared with the approaches of Erasmus and the Reformers Luther and Calvin. Finally, the interpretations of leading and influential Hooker scholars are examined to show how often his theological principles have been misrepresented. This important study concludes that Hooker's debt to the Reformation is greater and more profound than generally acknowledged and that Hooker is consistently closer the mainstream of Reformation thought than his Puritan opponents. "This book is sure to put the cat among the pigeons of Hooker scholarship, and reopen the question of interpretations which many have assumed were resolved." -Gerald Bray, Beeson Divinity School "A lucid, penetrating and immensely relevant study of Hooker's theological method which firmly repudiates the influential High church stereotype of Hooker."- Alister McGrath, from the foreword An ordained priest with the Church of England, Nigel T. Atkinson is Warden of Latimer House, Oxford.

Genres: Theology

164 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 1997

Reviews

[Marty · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great introductory study of Hooker's theology of scripture , tradition and reason, comparing his views to that of Calvin & Luther and his puritan oppenents. The author firmly debunks the notion of the via media, that Hooker and Anglicanism is half way between Protestant and Catholic thought. Hooker is firmly within the reformational tradition on these issues, arguably more so than his puritan opponents. That being said I do feel like that Atkinson is slightly baised against the puritans with wide generalisations of their theology, though that it is to be expected from an anglican cleric and the given purpose of this book.

[Doug · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great introduction to contemporary rethinking of Richard Hooker's role within the Reformation. Atkinson explores Hooker's position on Scripture, Tradition, and Reason. He makes the case that Hooker aligns more closely with Luther and Calvin than do the Puritans in England or the Radicals in Europe.

[Simon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fine, as far as it goes. Not great.

[W. Littlejohn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although a well-intentioned effort on a very interesting complex of issues, and seeking to argue a case that I am sympathetic to (that Hooker should be understood as a Reformed theologian, rather than in light of a later constructed via media Anglicanism), this is quite disappointing, really. "Superficial" is really the one word to describe it...little if any deep engagement with opponents' arguments, or of any elements in Hooker that don't fit Atkinson's ready-made "Reformed theologian" paradigm.

The only thing that saves it (and convinces me to still give it three stars) is that Atkinson is seeking to write to a more popular audience, rather than a strictly academic one. Having written such a book myself, I am certainly sympathetic to the limitations and challenges of the genre.