orthodox anglicanism

Future of Orthodox Anglicanism

on April 29, 2020

Here I interview theologian and church historian Gerald McDermott about his new edited book The Future of Orthodox Anglicanism. Gerry, who is retiring from Beeson Divinity School in Birmingham, Alabama, explains his tradition’s unique contributions to Christianity, past, present and future. His perspective is especially timely in this era of increasing nondenominational faith, as the great Protestant traditions fade in American religious life. Anglicans globally now number 80 million and are growing, especially in Africa.

  1. Comment by Jean Purcell on May 1, 2020 at 12:13 am

    “unique contributions to Christianity
    “nondenominational faith”
    I think if you look closely @ the quotes above, you might see what puts off followers of Christ that are put off by 1)
    the statement about uniqueness … What can be added to Christianity beyond the living Christ with us? Christ Himself is God’s unique contribution (gift) not to “Christianity” but to the world & the building of His church; 2)
    Denominational sliding away from the gospel.
    What is hindering more direct language? (Typing on mobile ph., so hope my words get across the ideas.)

  2. Comment by Gary Werley on May 1, 2020 at 3:06 pm

    We left the old/new, we are in the Fort Worth Diocese so was not a problem until it kept drifting to the Catholic doctrines. Now no church, visit many bible churches and have on house church.

  3. Comment by Donald on May 1, 2020 at 4:16 pm

    You lost me at “Anglicanism.”

  4. Comment by Donald on May 1, 2020 at 4:44 pm

    It is the denominations that forsook us. I have no desire to feed the system that in a time of testing caved. Evangelicalism non-denominationalism has its issues, for sure. But its day is not done and continues to play the primary religious role of pushing back against the denominational carriers of unbelief and societal secularism. I remember my pastor friends back in my seminary days in the 1970s warning me against the Baptist way I had chosen and exalting the wonders of connectionalism. 50 years later their denominations are dying, and we’re not talking just liberal mainline either. I trust “Pew Guy” more than I trust “Denominational Guy” when it comes to sustaining orthodoxy and the capability of sniffing out heresy in sheep’s clothing. Surely it is good to seek connecting to the larger church but that can be done without the force of denominational hierarchy. I have had so many friends listen to the siren song of redeeming the denominations and have ended up their ministry years with a moonscape of denominational disasters and are barely escaping with their pensions still intact. Forgive me if I am somewhat skeptical about looking at denominations as a key element to the future of Christianity in the West.

  5. Comment by John Kenyon on May 4, 2020 at 11:10 am

    Good questions. Good answers. But sheesh, Beav. Have a beer before going on camera.

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