The worldwide Anglican movement is a vibrant and flourishing, if sometimes troubled, international phenomenon. In recent decades it has experienced exponential growth, especially in parts of Africa and Asia, where dynamic evangelism and church planting are often seen. Yet for their historic roots, Anglicans across the globe continue to look back to one small but long-established province, the Church of England. The Anglican movement, at its best, has always been about people rather than structures or institutions. So this book introduces sixteen influential men and women from the Church of England, spread over the centuries from the early middle ages to the present day. They range from the celibate monk (Bede) to the married mother of eighteen children (Susanna Wesley); the innovative scientist (Robert Boyle) to the captivating poet (Frances Ridley Havergal); the urbane scholar (C.S. Lewis) to the popular preacher (Richard Sibbes and David Watson); the visionary bishop (Thomas Cranmer and J.C. Ryle) to the tenacious politician (William Wilberforce and Lord Shaftesbury). All sought to be faithful followers of Christ within the Church of England. But what were their theological passions and convictions? How did they understand their Anglican identity? These vignettes are not mini-biographiesbut fresh and thought-provoking explorations of the heart of faith.

An international and interdenominational team of distinguished scholars and pastors presents fifteen leading members of the Church of England over the last five centuries. The fourteen concise chapters offer fresh explorations of the theological passions and convictions of these important figures, focusing on "the heart of their Christian faith". The subjects in question are prominent preachers and evangelists, writers, theologians and politics. The book combines clergy and laity and illustrates the ways they work out their Christian faith in practise toghether with their vision of the Church. This thought provoking study will intrigue anyone interested in Anglican identity and history, and hopefully will stimulate further much necessary discussion on the subject.

About the Author
Andrew Atherstone is tutor in History and Doctrine, and Latimer research fellow of Wycliffe Hall, Oxford. Educated at the Universities of Cambridge and Oxford, Atherstone's research focuses on Anglican and Evangelical history and identity. His previous publications include a book on Charles Golightly andThe Martyrs of Mary Tudor, and he is a regular contributor to many academic journals in history and theology.

Reviews
"This brief volume will make an excellent introduction to the Anglican tradition in its English guise for 'ordinary' Christians with no formal theological learning". - Dr Charles Sherlock, Journal of Anglican Studies "Ordinands, ministers and thoughtful Anglican evangelicals would appreciate there essays; so should other Anglicans, as the book shows what undergirds true, orthodox Anglicanism". - Tony Baker, Evangelicals Now "The main purpose of this excellent book edited by Andrew Atherstone is to show that within the Church of England there has always been a strong thread of classic, orthodox, 'mere Christianity', and that this has provided the Church with some of her brightest and best. [ - ] It is not a collection of mini-biographies, but looks at 'the heart of faith' of each individual on issues as the atonement, scripture, the Spirit, and mission to get a sense of where their hearts lay on these key issues. [ - ] Although the book consists of separate chapters by this impressive array of scholars, it has been very well edited and sewn together both in terms of its narrative continuity and its overall message. [ - ] This volume could be extremely useful in an attempt to sway those who disagree with classic orthodoxy, over homosexuality or women's consecration perhaps, but are repulsed by the intolerance it currently faces from liberal extremists." - Lee Gatiss in Churchman No.1 Vol. 126, Spring, 2012



Book Information
ISBN 9780718830724
Author Andrew Atherstone
Format Paperback
Page Count 180
Imprint Lutterworth Press
Publisher James Clarke & Co Ltd
Weight(grams) 278g