laudable Practice

... and (which must be eternally confest even with teares of thankfulnesse) the true inscription stile or title of all Churches as yet standing within this Realme, By the goodnes of almighie God and his servant Elizabeth we are (from the Dedication to Book V of the Lawes , 10). To style Richard Hooker as an Elizabethan divine is, of course, an entirely unremarkable description. Even then, the description requires some qualification. As Diarmaid MacCulloch notes in ' Richard Hooker's Reputation ', the Lawes was something of "a damp squib" in late 16th century England, with the book having to be reduced in price to aid its underwhelming sales. As MacCulloch notes, Hooker's work lacked the "satisfyingly direct insults" of his Disciplinarian opponents: "Puritanism ... was more fun".  What Hooker did do, however, was something much more significant than populist insults or topping the religious best-seller list. The Lawes - in the artistry of...

That some Anglicans invoked Article XIII of the Thirty-nine to criticise the Archbishop of Canterbury's Diwali statement is an excellent example of exactly how not to use the Articles of Religion.  In sending greetings to Hindu communities in the United Kingdom celebrating Diwali, the festival of light, the Archbishop praised the "example of care and kindness in Hindu communities". Such "acts of community of family love and kindness", he said, "can bring light into these moments of darkness". And so, "Hindu communities are so often being the light we need". The usual suspects, of course, were immediately attacking on Twitter/X: this was "contrary to the gospel ... there is only one light of the world who is Jesus Christ our Lord"; "praising an entirely different religion, without any reference to God, the incarnation or salvation"; "no Archbishop Welby, Jesus is the light we need. Why not point people to Christ rat...

On this date which marks the coronation of Elizabeth I in 1558, it is appropriate to turn to the Injunctions of 1559 , the means by which Elizabeth set about undoing the Marian counter-reformation and establishing her ecclesiastical settlement. For those of us pondering what a New Elizabethan Anglicanism might look like, the Injunctions - perhaps surprisingly, mindful of the context and their, to say the least, robust tone - can be a source of wisdom, encouragement, and guidance. Today I look at three of the Injunctions in particular and consider what they might suggest for a New Elizabethan Anglicanism.   Firstly, the Injunctions restored Cranmer's vision that "often reading and meditation in God's Word" was at the heart of common prayer: exhort every person to read the same with great humility and reverence, as the very lively word of God, and the especial food of man's soul, which all Christian persons are bound to embrace, believe, and follow, if they look t...

Over the past year or so, laudable Practice has been pondering if a New Elizabethan Anglicanism can be envisaged: an expression of Anglicanism flowing from the Elizabethan Settlement and mindful of how Elizabeth II embodied an Anglican piety with contemporary resonance .  My first attempt to outline what this might mean pointed to "the dignified simplicity of BCP, emphasis on moderation and reserve, Anglican patrimony in music and architecture, recognising the goodness of civic duties". Following the death of Her late Majesty, some notable thoughts and reflections from others should be considered by those supportive of the idea of a New Elizabethan vision. To be clear, I am not saying that the authors explored in this post would necessarily support such a New Elizabethan stance: I am, however, proposing that their thoughts should contribute to the discussion. Alison Milbank's excellent article "May flights of angels sing thee to thy rest": Elizabeth II and the...

With the festivities of the Platinum Jubilee now past, it might be an appropriate time for Anglicans in this realm and the dominions to reflect on what we might learn from the celebrations. For Anglicans elsewhere, ministering in the context of different constitutional arrangements, there might also be some value to this: not, obviously, as a commendation of monarchy but, rather, in terms of considering how contemporary Anglicanism might renew its historic understanding of constitutional order as gift to be received with solemn thanksgiving.   Three aspects of Anglican celebration of the Platinum Jubilee are particularly worth reflecting upon, not least in how they are suggestive of a wider vision of theological renewal for Anglicanism. Firstly, the anthem written by composer Judith Weir for the National Service of Thanksgiving to Celebrate her Majesty's Platinum Jubilee - 'By Wisdom' - should receive theological attention.  Weir has said of her composition: Amongst many...