All of us are natural theologians, willing and able to think through questions of belief and relate the insights of theologians to our public and personal lives. In this clear and engaging introduction, Thompsett gives us the tools to think theologically by grounding us in the history, theology, spirituality, and biblical foundations of Anglican belief, particularly that of the Episcopal church.

Beginning with the Bible and what it reveals to us about the distinct calling of the People of God, Thompsett goes on to consider the insights of the Reformation regarding the importance of the laity and the contribution of lay people, particularly women, to the expansive mission of the nineteenth century in education and social work. She then explores different aspects of Anglican identity, and lay movements of liberation in the global South.

Aimed primarily at a lay and non-specialist audience, this book introduces key facets of Anglicanism and aspects of contemporary theology. It is an excellent parish educational resource, especially for adult forums and group study.

About the Author
Fredrica Harris Thompsett is the retired Mary Wolfe professor of historical theology at the Episcopal Divinity School, Cambridge, MA, where she has also served as academic dean for fourteen years. She is the author or editor of several books including Looking Forward, Looking Backward: Forty Years of Women's Ordination and the highly regarded We Are Theologians.

Reviews

"This is the most thoughtful, clear, and stimulating book on the ministry of the laity that I have read since reading A Theology of theLaity by Hendrik Kraemer a generation ago . . . . It is Anglican theology at its best and precisely relevant for the mission of the church." -John Coburn

Book Information
ISBN 9781596280007
Author Fredrica Harris Thompsett
Format Paperback
Page Count 142
Imprint Church Publishing Inc
Publisher Church Publishing Inc