studies in the doctrine and worship of the Church of England (1976-2000)

Abstract

The aim of this MA Thesis is to provide a research in the Church of England doctrine and worship from the 1970s till almost the present day. In order to meet its aims, the research is largely based on the analysis of the Reports of the Doctrine Commission of the Church of England, from "Christian Believing" (1976) till "The Mystery of Salvation" (1995). Analysis of the background of the Reports is also provided, as well as a general evaluation of the role these Reports play in the life of the Church of England. The main intention of this thesis is to follow two major themes, expressed in a variety of ways: the topic of Trinitarian theology and the issue of corporate consciousness in the Church of England. Trinitarian theology is mostly dealt with in Chapter 3, which analyses the texts engaging with doctrinal questions in an explicit way and aims at demonstrating that the Church of England holds firmly to a Trinitarian theology as the doctrinal basis for its descriptive theology, spirituality and praxis. The issue of corporate consciousness and analysis of worship and liturgy are tackled in Chapter 4.Historically the identity of the Church of England was defined by the claim that its doctrine is to be found in the liturgy. Nowadays when the Anglican worship does not follow a single uniform pattern, such an approach cannot be regarded as viable. The thesis aims at answering this issue by the holistic approach to the studies of the doctrine and worship in the Church of England, when both strands are considered together. Although done from an 'outsider' point of view, the research claims to be comprehensive in its scope and provides a number of reflections and practical recommendations as the Church of England enters the 21'' century.