Author Description
The Book of Common Prayer is a remarkable book, a sacred book in more than one sense. It is primarily a liturgical text, meant to be used in corporate worship, and at the same time a literary landmark, a cultural icon, and a focus of identity for Anglican Christianity. This brief, accessible account of the Prayer Book, as it is often called, describes the contents of the classical version of the text, with special emphasis on the services for which it has been used most frequently since it was issued in 1662. Charles Hefling also examines the historical and theological context of the Prayer Book's origins, the changes it has undergone, the controversies it has touched off, and its reception in England, Scotland, and America. Readers are introduced to the political as well as the spiritual influence of the Book of Common Prayer, and to its enduring place in English-speaking religion.
Menrva's Summary
THE THESIS
This book investigates the historical, liturgical, and cultural significance of the Book of Common Prayer as both a foundational religious text and a persistent icon of Anglican identity. Charles Hefling, a scholar of theology and liturgy, utilizes historical analysis and liturgical examination to explain the evolution of the 1662 text. He provides a framework for understanding how this specific volume functions as a primary instrument for corporate worship while simultaneously serving as a catalyst for theological and political debate across centuries.
THE SCOPE MAP
What You Will Find
- An overview of the 1662 Book of Common Prayer contents and liturgical services.
- Historical context regarding the origins and development of the text in England, Scotland, and America.
- Analysis of the political and spiritual influence exerted by the text over time.
Scope Limits
- The text does not provide an exhaustive line-by-line commentary on every variation of the Prayer Book.
- It does not focus on modern, post-20th-century liturgical revisions beyond their relation to the classical tradition.
THE AUTHORITY PERSPECTIVE
Experts and readers frequently cite this work as a highly accessible entry point for those seeking to understand the complexities of Anglican liturgy. The prose is noted for its clarity, making it a standard recommendation for students and laypeople interested in the historical weight of sacred texts.
Page Count:
336
Publication Date:
2020-01-01
Publisher:
Oxford University Press
ISBN-10:
0190689684
ISBN-13:
9780190689681
Religion
History
Christianity
Theology
Anglicanism