From the Editor’s Desk
Dear readers,
The collect read daily throughout the forty days of Lent asserts that Almighty God hateth nothing that He hath made. The chief evidence of this love is in the sacrifice of Jesus Christ his Son on the cross to take away the sins of the world. All of the means of grace of which the Church, Christ’s body manifest in earth, is the custodian, are vehicles for uniting human beings to God through the victory of Christ on the cross. This issue, diverse as the topics under consideration are in its several articles, focuses squarely on that – the means of union with God in Christ facilitated through the Church’s administration of the sacraments, common prayer, and preaching the gospel to all nations.
In our major features, we have the first two papers from the most recent Anglican Way Conference (this past February at St. John’s Church in Savannah, GA), which explored the sacrament of baptism, ‘the mystical washing away of sin’. First, PBS President Gavin Dunbar kicked off those proceedings by contrasting the 1662 and
1979 baptismal rites. Second, first-time AW contributor Christopher Hiller Albert argues that Pseudo-Dionysius is a significant influence on Cranmer’s liturgical design that aims to guide the worshiper through a process of purification and illumination, culminating in participation in God. Third, another first-time AW contributor and first-time AW conference speaker, David B. Alenskis explores Richard Hooker’s use of the figure of Zipporah in relation to a fierce disagreement over whether the laity can administer baptisms. Fourth, we offer another historical sketch by J. W. Klein, discussing J. W. C. Wand’s Exposition of the Prayer Book Year.
In our shorter features, this issue includes a personal reflection from Graham Coursey on the Prayer Book as a manual for Christian living. I have contributed a reflection on Philip Larkin’s ‘An Arundel Tomb’ and churchyards. Finally, we are pleased to include a third first-time contributor, David Szomor, on the missionary bishop Leslie Newbigin, whose influence on missiology can hardly be overstated.
As our Lenten fast nears its close and we approach the Paschal Mystery, we hope that you will find something in this issue that enhances your reflection on and strengthens your faith in the mercy of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
The Lord is full of compassion and mercy: O come, let us adore him!
To read this issue, please use this link.