The Anglican Vision

by James E. Griffiss

Book Overview

In this first volume to the New Church's Teaching Series the author provides a general introduction to the Anglican tradition.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1561011436
• ISBN13: 9781561011438
• Release Date: January 1997
• Publisher: Cowley Publications
• Length: 148 Pages
• Weight: 0.55 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 5.5" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

Deepened My Understanding of the Episcopal Church

The Anglican Vision by James E. Griffiss was an illuminating starting point in my journey to understand the Episcopal Church better, which I joined through my wife many years ago. Although I have attended services faithfully, my grasp of the Church's history, mission, and liturgical significance was lacking. Griffiss's book has helped me reconcile my values with the Church's broader focus on social justice and the complexity of morality beyond traditional rules. What struck me most was the notion that the Church is a living, evolving entity grappling with the challenges and messiness of human existence. Rather than imposing rigid doctrines, the Anglican path invites questions and doubts, encouraging us to wrestle with our faith in a dynamic, ongoing process. This book has deepened my appreciation for the Episcopal tradition as a reflection of our collective journey with God, not a static set of rules.

The broad view...

The Episcopal church in the twentieth century took advantage of the general availability of publishing to good advantage, compiling through several auspices different collections and teaching series, the latest of which was only completed a few years ago. There have been 'unofficial' collections of teaching texts, such as the Anglican Studies Series by Morehouse press, put out in the 1980s, as well as an earlier teaching series. However, each generation approaches things anew; the New Church Teaching Series, published by Cowley Publications (a company operated as part of the ministry of the Society of St. John the Evangelist - SSJE - one of the religious/monastic communities in the Episcopal church, based in the Boston area) is the most recent series, and in its thirteen volumes, explores in depth and breadth the theology, history, liturgy, ethics, mission and more of the modern Anglican vision in America.The first volume, by James Griffiss, is entitled 'The Anglican Vision', and is a one-volume introduction to Anglicanism. There are two primary sections - Origins of Anglicanism, and Anglican Belief and Practice. In the first part, rather than beginning with the Reformation or the Church Fathers, Griffiss traces the development of Anglicanism in a very personal way, using stories of his own experiences in seminary and ministry, as well as the stories of others in their journeys toward church community. The more standard history - here a very basic overview (as a more in-depth history comes in a later volume) - is developed in the following three chapters, always with an eye toward setting the context for Anglicanism today.In the second section, Anglican Belief and Practice, again Griffiss gives a brief overview of topics such as worship and belief (there are more detailed discussions of each topic here in later volumes in the series). Griffiss puts his own belief structure into this - the church has no set dogmatic or doctrinal system to which one must adhere. Griffiss sees, in addition to the various sacramental practices of the church, that the church itself can be viewed as a sacrament, an 'outward and visible sign of an inward and spiritual grace'. Griffiss traces some of the relationships between scripture, reason, tradition, liturgy and spiritual practices that comprise a community. One of the important issues facing the church today is the tension between continuity and change. Griffiss addresses this at each turn, focusing upon the incarnational aspect of the church. There are controversies of identity, ethics, inclusion, and practice; Anglicanism does not have an authoritarian structure that dictates policies on these matters for the whole communion (nor indeed often for individual provinces in the church). Griffiss does a good job at keeping the various sides in play in his discussion.Griffiss is a priest and systematic theology professor, who was named Canon Theologian by the current Presiding Bishop of the church. He is a

informative

This is one of the best introductions to Systematic Theology from an Anglican/Episcopal perspective. I found it highly informative and covering a huge ground, while not taking off on theological mambo-jambo. Well, if you think it is boring, maybe Systematic Theology isn't for you.

American Anglicanism in Perspective

James Griffiss does an incredible job of tying together the many ends of the Anglican experience as it exists in the Episcopal Church. This book is perfect for people considering joining the church, people interested in the life of the church, or for church study groups. The writing is free flowing and easy to understand without being childish. I highly recommend this book.

Know Thy Church

Growing up in the Episcopal church, I found this book very helpful in understanding both the Church's past and present. Most other denominations have strong statements of faith and see issues in black and white. I always wondered why the Episcopal church was accepting of so many varied opinions. This book tells you some of the background of this phenomenon and gives you a theological argument for why its good. I look forward to reading the next book in the series.