We finally got around to reading The Imagined Community of the Anglican Communion over at The Other Cafe, thanks to Chip Webb, who couldn't believe the article didn't get more airplay. Perhaps it was because we all thought it was actually a brilliant parody on a slow news day. Oops.
But alas, it's serious, written by a serious historian in a serious library in a serious university in a serious state in the union. Or a serious state of something.
So get thee hence, but we suggest that you "right click" to open the article so that you may also click to play the kindly offering below to enforce the mood as one reads with great, well, seriousness, this quite serious article. No really.
One glowing comment on the website says it all. The essay is "most helpful." Whether it has any knowledge of history, ecclesiology, or any other pursuit of actual truth and factuality is irrelevant. The piece's "relevance" is found only in its ability to confuse the issues with pride, (imagined) class envy against the Evil Bishops, and, of course, the elevation of the Latest Notion above Scripture, Canons, or the common sense of the Church. If education has anything to do with pursuit of truth and integrity, the schools most seriously betrayed this poor man.
I find the reaction to Prof. Turner's essay intersting. While I find the essay helpful, especially in pointing out the "Bishop-heavy" nature of the Instruments and in tracing the history of persecution within the C of E, I find the concept of an imaginary community less helpful. While the Communion is, for most people, a community of which they have little or no experience, for many of us it is a community which we have experienced as we visited other Churches or welcomed visitors from other Churches. It is those relationships that matter and I remain unconvinced about the value of an Anglican Covenant in promoting and supporting relationships.
5 comments:
Mary, perhaps your finest posting. The "Imagine" soundtrack, "Shall we all bow", I love it.
One glowing comment on the website says it all. The essay is "most helpful." Whether it has any knowledge of history, ecclesiology, or any other pursuit of actual truth and factuality is irrelevant. The piece's "relevance" is found only in its ability to confuse the issues with pride, (imagined) class envy against the Evil Bishops, and, of course, the elevation of the Latest Notion above Scripture, Canons, or the common sense of the Church. If education has anything to do with pursuit of truth and integrity, the schools most seriously betrayed this poor man.
And it's all imaginary money that TEC sends to buy ... I mean support the AC apparatus.
Imagine that!
RalphM
I find the reaction to Prof. Turner's essay intersting. While I find the essay helpful, especially in pointing out the "Bishop-heavy" nature of the Instruments and in tracing the history of persecution within the C of E, I find the concept of an imaginary community less helpful. While the Communion is, for most people, a community of which they have little or no experience, for many of us it is a community which we have experienced as we visited other Churches or welcomed visitors from other Churches. It is those relationships that matter and I remain unconvinced about the value of an Anglican Covenant in promoting and supporting relationships.
Fr. Daniel, for the record, I do agree with you on both points. :-)
bb
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