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The Anglican Spirit
Archbishop Michael Ramsey was one of the church's most remarkable twentieth-century saints--wise and humble, humorous and compassionate. These introductory lectures on Anglicanism reveal the breadth of Ramsey's theological understanding, his ecumenism, and his vision of the church and the Christian life. Informal and conversational in style, the lectures offer an overview of Anglican theology, spirituality, and history.
Ramsey begins with Anglicanism's enduring characteristics, including its dependence on Scripture, tradition--the ancient writers of the church who guide us in interpreting the Bible--and reason, our God-given capacity for divine revelation. Next Ramsey explores its teachings on theology and the sacraments, Tractarianism and the Oxford Movement, the renaissance of Anglican religious communities, and the evolving doctrines of creation, incarnation, and the Holy Spirit. The final section presents Ramsey's theology of the church and Anglicanism's relationship to Rome and the Orthodox churches.
Ramsey begins with Anglicanism's enduring characteristics, including its dependence on Scripture, tradition--the ancient writers of the church who guide us in interpreting the Bible--and reason, our God-given capacity for divine revelation. Next Ramsey explores its teachings on theology and the sacraments, Tractarianism and the Oxford Movement, the renaissance of Anglican religious communities, and the evolving doctrines of creation, incarnation, and the Holy Spirit. The final section presents Ramsey's theology of the church and Anglicanism's relationship to Rome and the Orthodox churches.
Paperback
First published April 1, 1991
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About the author
Arthur Michael Ramsey
96 books13 followersServed as the 100th Archbishop of Canterbury from 1961 - 1974.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
August 30, 2024
Really great, accessible introduction to some of the major characteristics of Anglicanism. I’m sure most Anglicans would find some detail to quibble with, but this is a really good accessible that captures a lot of important emphases. Some more attention to the evangelical, liberal, and global expressions would be nice, but one book can only do so much.
February 21, 2018
The chapters on Anglicanism and Catholicism and Orthodoxy are actually fantastic. He gives a decent overview of Vatican II (even if he makes it sound a little more radical that perhaps it was....perhaps not though), and his overview of Orthodoxy is spot on. If a read knew nothing about Catholicism or Orthodoxy he could do worse than to start with these chapters. Even this semi-liberal former Archbishop of Canterbury admits that women's ordination in the Anglican communion destroyed any chance of relations with the Orthodox. And he seems genuinely sad.
Otherwise it's a good high level discussion of Anglicanism. Not a lot of new stuff. He discusses the Tractarians and tries to refute them, but then he seems to later give props to people that did what the tractarians did. He's kind of a muddled thinker. But he's aware enough of his own prejudices on these matters that he occasionally stops just shy of making ridiculous statements.
It's not as good as Kalistos Ware's Intro to Orthodoxy, but it's probably a good intro book for Anglicanism.
Otherwise it's a good high level discussion of Anglicanism. Not a lot of new stuff. He discusses the Tractarians and tries to refute them, but then he seems to later give props to people that did what the tractarians did. He's kind of a muddled thinker. But he's aware enough of his own prejudices on these matters that he occasionally stops just shy of making ridiculous statements.
It's not as good as Kalistos Ware's Intro to Orthodoxy, but it's probably a good intro book for Anglicanism.
January 17, 2017
Thoroughly enjoyed this short but rich survey of Anglican history and thought. The section on how the Anglican approach of Scripture--Antiquity--Reason facilitated the integration of science and faith in the 18th and 19th centuries was excellent. I also appreciated the explanation of the significance of Vatican II for Christendom.
July 9, 2024
Required reading.
A solid over view of what being an Anglican means, both historically and theologically. Discussions of ecumenism are great, but I do wonder how they've been in recent decades since this book was published.
A solid over view of what being an Anglican means, both historically and theologically. Discussions of ecumenism are great, but I do wonder how they've been in recent decades since this book was published.
January 9, 2023
Good history of the Anglican Church.
June 19, 2024
Interesting overview and history of Anglicanism and it’s identity - sections on relations between Anglicanism and Catholicism and Anglo Catholicism were particularly interesting.
July 5, 2012
The marvelous experience of reading this book is like this: Archbishop Ramsey is sitting in my living room thinking about things and talking, and I'm saying "I don't mean to interrupt, but can I get you something?" In an intimate, almost informal, way, Ramsey leads the reader through the history of Anglican thought and projections of Anglicanism's future. Everything the Archbishop says is infused with intelligence, devotion, and humility. Indeed, it seems that humility may be a chief characteristic of the style of Anglican theology.
The Archbishop presents a great deal in this modest style --- the great brain of Richard Hooker, the Oxford Movement, the ideas of Charles Gore and Frederick Denison Maurice, the relationship to Eastern Orthodoxy and Roman Catholicism, and so forth. Along the way, he comments on areas in which he believes the Tractarians were wrong or why John Newman was a little off (my words).
There are also an excellent discussions of the three "pillars" of Anglicanism (Scripture, tradition, and reason). The Archbishop explains, in detail, what each pillar actually is (at least as a guideline) rather than leaving a reader to accept the pillars as just unexamined concepts.
The discussion of ecclesiology is to me the book's most valuable part. The Archbishop looks far beyond incidentals and reflects deeply as to God's purposes (insofar as we can discern them fully). As a result, my concepts of "The Church" have been shifted a little bit away from institutionalism and into a recognition of the existence of The People of God. And, for this, I am grateful.
Note: This book is from material transcribed in the 1980's. Therefore, I am not sure of the current ecumenical relationships with Rome and the East. The book also precedes the great turmoil produced by the Episcopal Church's approval of the ordination of women in the USA and its consecration of, by now, two homosexual bishops also in the USA. Therefore, it does not take account of the the proposed Anglican Communion Covenant or the controversy within the broader Anglican church from the New World to England to Africa.
The Archbishop presents a great deal in this modest style --- the great brain of Richard Hooker, the Oxford Movement, the ideas of Charles Gore and Frederick Denison Maurice, the relationship to Eastern Orthodoxy and Roman Catholicism, and so forth. Along the way, he comments on areas in which he believes the Tractarians were wrong or why John Newman was a little off (my words).
There are also an excellent discussions of the three "pillars" of Anglicanism (Scripture, tradition, and reason). The Archbishop explains, in detail, what each pillar actually is (at least as a guideline) rather than leaving a reader to accept the pillars as just unexamined concepts.
The discussion of ecclesiology is to me the book's most valuable part. The Archbishop looks far beyond incidentals and reflects deeply as to God's purposes (insofar as we can discern them fully). As a result, my concepts of "The Church" have been shifted a little bit away from institutionalism and into a recognition of the existence of The People of God. And, for this, I am grateful.
Note: This book is from material transcribed in the 1980's. Therefore, I am not sure of the current ecumenical relationships with Rome and the East. The book also precedes the great turmoil produced by the Episcopal Church's approval of the ordination of women in the USA and its consecration of, by now, two homosexual bishops also in the USA. Therefore, it does not take account of the the proposed Anglican Communion Covenant or the controversy within the broader Anglican church from the New World to England to Africa.
October 31, 2012
3.5 stars.
This book provides a really good background for the Anglican faith, mainly because it deals with Ramsey's vision of the Anglican church going forward. He accurately and succinctly discusses the ability of the Anglican communion to appeal to scripture, antiquity, and faith. I also particularly liked his discussion that Biblical interpretation does not happen in a vacuum. At a certain point, churches provide that interpretation.
In addition, Ramsey provides an excellent vision that the church can provide a movement to heal some divisions. Anglicans take the idea of one church seriously as well as the Logos working in every human being, regardless of culture. I also like his tendency to allow doctrine to develop but also look to tradition for that kind of inspiration and look to reason for checking that development when it goes too far (I would argue ordaining homosexuals has gone too far, but Ramsey doesn't comment on that).
Overall, a good primer to the frame of mind Anglicans must take. I was hoping for a bigger exploration of Anglican theology, but there was enough of that to keep everything in line. Ultimately, I will have to find a different book for the nuanced theological points, but Ramsey does not disappoint in telling Anglicans how they can impact the world.
This book provides a really good background for the Anglican faith, mainly because it deals with Ramsey's vision of the Anglican church going forward. He accurately and succinctly discusses the ability of the Anglican communion to appeal to scripture, antiquity, and faith. I also particularly liked his discussion that Biblical interpretation does not happen in a vacuum. At a certain point, churches provide that interpretation.
In addition, Ramsey provides an excellent vision that the church can provide a movement to heal some divisions. Anglicans take the idea of one church seriously as well as the Logos working in every human being, regardless of culture. I also like his tendency to allow doctrine to develop but also look to tradition for that kind of inspiration and look to reason for checking that development when it goes too far (I would argue ordaining homosexuals has gone too far, but Ramsey doesn't comment on that).
Overall, a good primer to the frame of mind Anglicans must take. I was hoping for a bigger exploration of Anglican theology, but there was enough of that to keep everything in line. Ultimately, I will have to find a different book for the nuanced theological points, but Ramsey does not disappoint in telling Anglicans how they can impact the world.
February 13, 2008
I have learned much from this book. I feel I have discovered that the early reformers and lovers of the church had a love for the original church- the Roman Catholic church, but wanted reform of the corruptions (the indulgences and emphasis on purgatory), but possibly didn't really want to break completely from Rome. I am learning more about Cramner, Queen Elizabeth I, Hooker, Martin Luther, Calvin and another whom is very interesting to me, Matthew Parker. He discovered early Anglo Saxon manuscripts with eye opening information that the Elizabethan church practices were not new, but familiar to the Catholic Church in England in its earlier centuries. I've learned more about what Anglicans have in common with the Roman Catholic Church , Vatican II bringing us closer, and the Eastern Orthodox Church. After reading this I grieve more for the current state of the Episcopal church and the destruction that liberalism has caused. God help us.
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August 28, 2024Finished it but have to review it and take notes as it is more like a textbook.
The last few lines of the notes let you know what to expect of this survey in outline format in that Archbishop Ramsey was considered an ecumenical theologian.
So Scripture, antiquity and reason are the hallmarks of being an Anglican.
But for the ordinary person it’s merely about attending an Anglican Church due to exposure to being churched previously in one’s life, as opposed to some other reason.
I used to like to read the Apostolic Fathers but ask about it in church and it’s a no go. Same with reason, whatever that may be.
Archbishop Ramsey said the 39 Articles have pretty much fallen by the wayside. I guess in private devotions, morning or evening or night prayer they could be picked up by the individual to make a change in the home service.
Not a religious professional here, just an interested believer.
Have a great day!
The last few lines of the notes let you know what to expect of this survey in outline format in that Archbishop Ramsey was considered an ecumenical theologian.
So Scripture, antiquity and reason are the hallmarks of being an Anglican.
But for the ordinary person it’s merely about attending an Anglican Church due to exposure to being churched previously in one’s life, as opposed to some other reason.
I used to like to read the Apostolic Fathers but ask about it in church and it’s a no go. Same with reason, whatever that may be.
Archbishop Ramsey said the 39 Articles have pretty much fallen by the wayside. I guess in private devotions, morning or evening or night prayer they could be picked up by the individual to make a change in the home service.
Not a religious professional here, just an interested believer.
Have a great day!
April 10, 2011
Highly readable edition of Ramsey's lectures at Nashotah House Seminary in 1979.
November 27, 2016
Really great in some places, just OK in others.
February 8, 2019
One of my all time favourite books on Anglicanism.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews