Read the editorial about the feminisation of the Church

Being a Christian in the North East

The Revd Dr Liz Hoare is a Tutor at Cranmer Hall, St John's College Durham and a Non Stipendiary Minister in the Diocese of York

In this article Liz Hoare attempts to describe dominant features of Christianity in the North East of England. The North East is itself a region that contains great diversity, past and present, in its Christian presence. The author draws on themes from the lives and mission of northern saints and churches past to reflect on both the post-industrial settings in the cities and the decline of the northern rural economy encountered today. She concludes that the region affects perceptions, distinctively shaping worship and mission.

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Charismatic Christianity and the appeal of Celtic Pneumatology

Dr Nigel Scotland is Field Chair, Theology and Religious Studies, University of Gloucestershire

Nigel Scotland notes that Celtic Pneumatology has become a significant resource for charismatics and post-charismatics in recent years. The section of this article considers some of the possible origins and content of Celtic culture and Christianity. Drawing on the writings of Bede and other early Christian writers, he reflects on the many stories of the northern saints under headings related to spiritual gifts: healing and wholeness, conflict with the demonic and prophetic and knowledge gifts.

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Myths of Celtic Christianity

The Revd Dr Gavin Wakefield is Deputy Warden and Director of Mission and Pastoral Studies, Cranmer Hall, St John's College, Durham

Gavin Wakefield asks for a careful and critical re-think about what can and cannot be learnt from the historical church of the 'Celtic" peoples. He resists the concepts of a 'Celtic' and a 'Roman' church, describing instead the ways in which the many Christian groups of the time interacted and shared ideas, rituals and liturgies. He considers two specific claims for the Celtic Church, that it was creation centred and female affirming. He suggest that much in these emphases are a misinterpretation of historical evidence. Finally he wonders why it is that these ideas have developed at this time, suggesting it is a mythical re-shaping of the past in changing times.

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Thomas Cranmer's Theology of the Heart

The Revd Dr Ashley Null is Research Fellow, Humbolt University, Berlin

This article in the series Roots in the Past considers the evangelicalism of Thomas Cranmer. The first half of the article is biographical, tracing Cranmer's personal and theological development and his impact on the history of England and its Church, significantly through his Prayer Book, Homilies and Articles. The second half of the article considers the content of Cranmer's evangelicalism, particularly his emphasis on God's love for the unworthy and forgiveness. Cranmer's acceptance of the authorative function of Scripture to turn and tell the gospel to human hearts is considered, followed by a final section reflecting on the significance of the words and actions accompanying his death.

Note: This article was originally given as a lecture at St. Andrew's Cathedral, Sydney, Australia, as part of the Cranmer Day program jointly sponsored by the Prayer Book Society of New South Wales and Moore Theological College to mark the 450 th Anniversary of the archbishop's martyrdom.

 

 

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