The Future of Orthodox Anglicanism

“To be Anglican does not mean being part of a church created solely to sort out Henry VIII’s marital strife and procreative problem. To be Anglican does not mean to be white and vaguely religious. To be Anglican is not about trying to solve tense theological debates in ways that please no one and fail to address the underlying problem but will have to suffice for now. Rather, this courageous volume, ably edited by Gerald McDermott, shows that being Anglican is really about being part of the one, holy, catholic, and apostolic church. Anglicanism at its best is the marriage of the church’s ancient catholic faith with the recovery of the apostolic gospel from the English Reformation. But the question is this: what will this kind of Anglicanism look like in the future? This international lineup of contributors outlines the current state of orthodox Anglicanism in its various provinces, the challenges facing Anglicanism in its various centers, and what might be the future of global Anglicanism. A fascinating read about a future fraught with challenges and buoyed by hopes.”
—Michael F. Bird, Academic Dean and Lecturer in Theology, Ridley College, Melbourne
“Whatever the future of orthodox Anglicanism may look like, it seems safe to suggest that it will not be monolithic. The essays in this book discuss not just the future of orthodox Anglicanism but also its identity, and on both topics the authors arrive at varying and, at times, disparate conclusions. United in opposition to what Archbishop Foley Beach calls ‘neo-pagan’ Anglicanism, these authors represent a broad range of traditional Anglicanism. Warm kudos to Gerald McDermott for skillfully bringing together these insightful essays from across orthodox Anglicanism.”
—Hans Boersma, Chair, Order of St. Benedict Servants of Christ Endowed Professorship in Ascetical Theology, Nashotah House Theological Seminary
“In The Future of Orthodox Anglicanism you will hear scholarly voices, perspectives from the majority world, viewpoints from ministry practitioners, and encouragement from leaders of other denominations, spoken with great conviction of the gift that Anglicanism is to the worldwide church. The writers’ historical reflection and engagement with contemporary concerns serve up a feast for those new to Anglican life and for those of us who love the old ship despite its barnacles.”
—Rhys Bezzant, Lecturer in Christian Thought, Ridley College, Melbourne; author, Jonathan Edwards and the Church and Edwards the Mentor
“Gerald McDermott has brought together eleven essays and three responses by bishops, theologians, and church leaders from around the world, including two non-Anglicans. This varied collection provides valuable historical perspectives as well as an interesting range of opinions on the current faith and practice of the Anglican Church, coming as they do from different backgrounds, with different perspectives on the Anglican Church today and different outlooks on the future of Anglicanism. A sharp warning of the potentially suicidal effects of ‘neo-pagan Anglicanism,’ coupled with hopeful views from African contributors, leads McDermott to conclude that the orthodox Anglican future ‘will be mostly nonwhite, led by the Global South, and devoted to Scripture.’ While a book this size cannot address all major areas of contention and new developments in the global Anglican Church today, this helpful volume should provoke further thought and discussion about a subject that needs urgent prayer and active response: the future of orthodox Anglicanism.”
—B. A. Kwashi, Bishop of Jos, Nigeria