Paul Avis

Avis, Professor of Theology at the University of Exeter and General Secretary of the Church of England’s Council for Christian Unity, presents a select overview of Anglican theology from the Reformation to the present day. Avis is a top drawer scholar and very careful when making distinctions, forming arguments, and drawing conclusions. This makes his survey of Anglicanism both forceful and thoughtful, placing men and movements in their historical context. Despite some difficulties with show more his advocacy of the "baptismal covenant" common in the post-Liturgical Movement churches in the West, I found the book valuable. Avis answers the question, "Is there a distinct Anglican version of Christianity?" in the affirmative. It is this affirmation of Anglican definition found in the Formularies that makes the book concise and informative. Avis generally clarifies rather than obscures the subject matter. Four stars. show less

An excellent brief guide to 'the Church' from an Anglican perspective. Provides essential background to the modern view that baptism and the eucharist are the keys to understanding what it means to be members of the "body of Christ." RMB, CSBS

Probably useful for my honours thesis (topic still in development).

From the publisher:

This is a work of considerable strategic importance for the ecumenical movement and for the Anglican Communion. It puts forward an interpretation of the Anglican understanding of the Christian Church and presents the development of Anglican self-definition, identity and apologetic in dialogue with the Roman Catholic and Protestant traditions.

The book covers the whole period from the Reformation to the present day, devoting particular attention to the Oxford Movement and show more its critics, and provides substantial accounts of the thoughts of all the major Anglican theologians. show less