Orthodoxy for Liberal Christians

I've been reading a book by Alan Jones, dean of Grace Cathedral in San Francisco. Common Prayer on Common Ground- A Vision of Anglican Orthodoxy, so far, has been pretty engaging and enlightening. I like that Fr. Jones has not fallen into the common trap of associating "orthodox" with "fundamentalist." In fact, he argues quite well in his book, especially in a chapter called "Fundamentalism and Scientism, a Plague on Both Their Houses," that overlying on rationality is just as "fundamentalist" as believing in biblical inerrancy. Both "houses," he contends, have an overeliance on a type of empiricism that destroys any need for mystery, contradiction and tension that is a natural part of this life.

I like this quote from Archbishop Peter Carnley that deals with the idea that Christianity is, at its heart, supposed to be a Theology of "transcendant mystery":

"Others of us, in contrast, appreciate the Word of God not so much as a body of information, but as a form of questioning of the inner motives of our hearts, or as an invitation to relate with God, who ultimately remains essentially an unfathomable mystery to us, and as a Word of promist to be with us always as we wrestle to discern his truth for the living of our lives."

I also like the idea he espouses that there are fundamentalists on the right and left and what marks one a fundamentalist is that they believe so fervently in their "fundamentals" that they do not listen to one another or even want to be at the same table.

I think what he is driving at is that Anglicanism, at its best, (especially through the liturgy of Eucharist) strives to create a "table" where people who disagree vehemently about practical issues (Gay priesthood, evolution, biblical inerrancy) can sit down together.

I like this image. Even if we are all sitting at opposite ends of the table, at least we are at the same table. We can't get "food" without asking someone to pass it to us (or at least salt or dessert??)

This is the first book about the whole divide in Anglicanism right now that makes any sense. If you are of the Anglican persuasion, you should read it.