Stephen Sykes and the 'crisis' of Anglican Ecclesiology and Identity
First Statement of Responsibility
Jeremy Morris
.PUBLICATION, DISTRIBUTION, ETC
Place of Publication, Distribution, etc.
Leiden
Name of Publisher, Distributor, etc.
Brill
SUMMARY OR ABSTRACT
Text of Note
This article offers a critical assessment of Stephen Sykes' contribution to the theology and ecclesiology of Anglicanism, and especially to reflection on Anglican identity. It contextualizes his work in reaction to mid-twentieth century Anglican apologetic, indicating that his criticism of the failure to develop a theological awareness of Anglicanism's ecclesiological position arose from his conviction that contemporary radical theology risked undermining traditional Anglican practice and belief. Sykes' appeal for a systematic Anglican theology nonetheless masked a failure to explore sufficiently the relationship between history and theology. This article offers a critical assessment of Stephen Sykes' contribution to the theology and ecclesiology of Anglicanism, and especially to reflection on Anglican identity. It contextualizes his work in reaction to mid-twentieth century Anglican apologetic, indicating that his criticism of the failure to develop a theological awareness of Anglicanism's ecclesiological position arose from his conviction that contemporary radical theology risked undermining traditional Anglican practice and belief. Sykes' appeal for a systematic Anglican theology nonetheless masked a failure to explore sufficiently the relationship between history and theology.