Overview
The study illustrates the broad diversity of opinion held by Anglican clergy on key issues dividing or uniting the Church of England today, including attitudes toward homosexuality, divorce and foundational beliefs of Christianity. The authors examine the major factors underpinning the diversity of opinion and does so by drawing on three distinctive empirical traditions shaped by the sociology of religion, by the psychology of religion, and by empirical theology. This book draws on a unique survey conducted among 1,849 Anglican clergy serving in the Church of England. The Church of England is a broad church that draws together Catholic and Reformed traditions, and that combines liberal and conservative perspectives. The sociological perspective of this study is concerned with the influence of broad demographic factors including age, sex, and location. The psychological perspective is shaped by the insights of personality theory within the individual differences approach to human functioning. The perspective from empirical theology is concerned with the importance of religious doctrines, ecclesiological traditions and theological perspectives on shaping clergy attitudes and behaviors. Throughout the book, the authors test the relative power of these three conceptual frameworks for explaining diversity of perspectives among Church of England clergy. The findings are essential reading for all who want to understand the Church of England today, and especially for those who need to navigate a divided church through a major time of transition.
Full Product Details
Author: Andrew Village ,
Revd Canon Leslie J. Francis
Publisher: The Edwin Mellen Press Ltd
Imprint: Edwin Mellen Press Ltd
ISBN: 9780773448032
ISBN 10: 0773448039
Pages: 228
Publication Date: April 2009
Audience:
College/higher education
,
Professional and scholarly
,
Undergraduate
,
Postgraduate, Research & Scholarly
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Active
Availability: Awaiting stock
The supplier is currently out of stock of this item. It will be ordered for you and placed on backorder. Once it does come back in stock, we will ship it out for you.
Reviews
... a proper attention to the findings of the research presented in this book might lead both to a better understanding of the profound diversity among Anglican clergy, and to greater tolerance and appreciation between those clergy who perceive and express their faith in different ways. - Prof. Jeff Astley North of England Institute for Christian Education ... brings a new and carefully researched contribution to the public discussion which is not simply based upon anecdote. This adds real value to this work. - Prof. Robin Gill University of Kent
"""... a proper attention to the findings of the research presented in this book might lead both to a better understanding of the profound diversity among Anglican clergy, and to greater tolerance and appreciation between those clergy who perceive and express their faith in different ways."" - Prof. Jeff Astley North of England Institute for Christian Education ""... brings a new and carefully researched contribution to the public discussion which is not simply based upon anecdote. This adds real value to this work."" - Prof. Robin Gill University of Kent"""
