Anglican Spirituality: An Introduction

by Greg Peters, Ray Sutton (foreword)

Anglican Spirituality lays out a concise vision for how Anglican Christians can become faithful disciples of Jesus Christ. Emphasizing the importance of the threefold rule of Daily Office, Holy Eucharist, and private devotion, the book shows how Anglican spirituality is rooted in the Book of Common Prayer and the Holy Scriptures.


•In the Daily Office the word of God is read and internalized through the illuminative work of the Holy Spirit as Christ the Teacher enlightens the minds of the ones praying so that the praying of the Scriptures is not for information but formation.


•In the Holy Eucharist the communicant receives the grace necessary to live a spiritual life pleasing to God, allowing God to turn the key to their inner selves, transforming them from the inside out.


•By personal devotion the disciple adopts those spiritual practices that make prayer effective and prepares for receiving the Holy Eucharist.


In this way, disciples habituate themselves to the work of God.

Last, this book demonstrates that Anglican spirituality is not an isolated or individualistic endeavor and that the prayer book’s vision for spirituality empowers the church’s mission.

Genres: Theology, Religion, Spirituality, Christianity

115 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 7, 2024

About the author

Greg Peters (PhD, University of St. Michael’s College, Toronto) is associate professor of medieval and spiritual theology in the Torrey Honors Institute, Biola University, in La Mirada, California. He is also visiting professor of monastic studies at St. John’s School of Theology in Minnesota and adjunct professor at Nashotah House Theological Seminary in Wisconsin.

Reviews

[Scott Meadows · Rating 5 out of 5]

Greg Peters has written a remarkable book, and in just about 100 pages, he beautifully captures the essence of Anglican spirituality as rooted in the Word and Sacraments. I'm grateful to Wipf and Stock for providing me with a review copy. Peters is not only a gifted writer but also a gracious individual, and I had the privilege of meeting him at ETS 2024 shortly after finishing this book.

[Noah Senthil · Rating 4 out of 5]

A solid, simple introduction to Anglican spirituality, based on the Book of Common Prayer, Holy Eucharist, and Private Devotion (spiritual exercises/good works). Greg Peters does a good job explaining things clearly and keeping the big picture in mind. It’s well-structured and draws on a fitting selection of historic Anglican sources (e.g. Cranmer, Hooker, Donne).

But I do wish the book would have included some commentary of what makes Anglican spirituality distinct from other Christian traditions. The normative use of the BCP is one obvious answer, but almost everything else could be commonly said of Protestant spirituality in general (even explaining the difference between Protestant and Catholic spirituality would’ve been helpful).

Alas, an introduction is only an introduction, I suppose!

[Caleb · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really helpful introduction to the three core disciplines that form a distinctly Anglican spirituality: The Daily Office, Holy Eucharist, and private devotions.

[Ian Jarrells · Rating 5 out of 5]

Peters’s book, Anglican Spirituality, is a digestible introduction to how an Anglican should structure his life around the Holy Eucharist, the Morning and Evening Offices, and through Private Devotion. Peters follows the vein of Martin Thornton’s writings on Spiritual Theology and is a more contemporary introduction to the spiritual life for lay Christians. I highly recommend this book.

[Jon · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good brief read for those familiar with key concepts within Anglicanism but want a bit more depth/understanding of the tradition’s inner logic of spirituality.

[David Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Full review coming out on Anglican Compass hopefully soon.