Best episcopalian christianity books according to redditors
We found 27 Reddit comments discussing the best episcopalian christianity books. We ranked the 20 resulting products by number of redditors who mentioned them. Here are the top 20.
We found 27 Reddit comments discussing the best episcopalian christianity books. We ranked the 20 resulting products by number of redditors who mentioned them. Here are the top 20.
You can also look at the BCP online to get a feel for the service if you’re nervous about heading to a new church (I get nervous and like to scope out the BCP and also their website).
If you want to read more about the Episcopal Church, I would recommend Walk in Love
OK. There's some decent intro books to the TEC, like "Welcome to the Episcopal Church" and "Your Faith Your Life", which is the book we used in my TEC reception (confirmation) class. There's also a section in the Book of Common Prayer which goes into some of the general theology.
Here's some short entries on differences between RCC and TEC:
One thing you may find a little different or frustrating (depending) is that TEC has much more of a "big tent" approach to dogma and catechism, so you have a lot more theological diversity in TEC, and as a result sometimes have high-profile church leaders like Bp. Spong saying things that are pretty out-there from a theological perspective and not being censored b/c there's no equivalent to the RCC's Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith in TEC, at least AFAIK. That's also why you sometimes find folks wandering in here asking "What's the Episcopal Church's position on (issue X)?" and walking away frustrated because there isn't one simple "every believer affirms it is Y" answer to some of those questions, at least in my experience. I think most of TEC theology begins from the Creed and works from there.
Hope that helps! And welcome!
So Anglican theology is deeply liturgical - i.e. we see our theology as being expressed, experienced, and enforced in our worship - "lex orandi, lex credendi." This principle comes to a zenith in our theology behind the sacraments, which has often relied on liturgical texts and actions in a way unique among other Christian churches. This makes our theology as much of an experience as it is a set of intellectual commitments (not to artificially split the two though). However, it means that Anglicans, especially today's Anglicans, often have an implicit theology behind the sacraments, a theology relying on liturgy more than explicit explanations, which can make expressing a coherent theology difficult.
Regardless, the first place you should go if you want a taste of Episcopal "sacramentality" today is our current worship, the 1979 Book of Common Prayer. Our service for Baptism begins on p.298 (be sure to look at the Baptismal Covenant on p.304). We have two rites for the Eucharist, Rite I on p.323 and Rite II on p.355. As an example of Episcopal sacramental theology, it is very significant that Baptism and Eucharist are considered important enough to warrant their own liturgies.
But don't just read the texts - attend worship to understand! Theology is practiced and trained by worship.
Two other documents in the Prayer Book are of note: first, a very brief contemporary Catechism, which covers the Sacraments on pp.857-861. The other are the 39 Articles of Religion of the Church of England (dating back to the 16th century), which are not considered authoritative for Episcopalians today, but are an important historical document that highlights the deeply Reformed dimension of Anglicanism's development during the English Reformation (a fact that frankly embarrasses many today, for better or worse). Articles #25-31 cover the sacraments on pp.872-74.
Here's a link from a contemporary Episcopalian's attempt to coherently explain the basics of sacramental theology in our church today. It was written in response to a practice that he (rightly, imo) identified as a perversion of proper sacramentality: http://www.episcopalcafe.com/sacramental_theology_101_baptism_and_eucharist/
There are several good books on sacraments within Anglicanism by Anglican authors:
I hope this post did not give you a heart attack.
I highly, highly recommend Derek Olsen's excellent book on this exact subject:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0880284323/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i1
Walk in Love: Episcopal Beliefs and Practices is a great place to start.
Welcome. Good luck on your path. Do know that faith ebbs and flows. Right now, you've had a powerful experience that moved you significantly--to a whole new faith. That's great. In a few months, or years, or maybe never, things may settle down and feel less powerful. But that doesn't mean they're less genuine. Be open to the journey and its ebbs and flows. Though if you're a fan of Ignatian spirituality you probably have a sense of that!
As far as books, I think The Anglican Way and Your Faith, Your Life are great introductions to the Anglican/Episcopal traditions. They are basic, but they might help you pick up some facts you're missing out on. For better understanding the Book of Common Prayer and liturgical worship, I'd recommend Inwardly Digest to start and the Commentary on the American Prayer Book if you really want to dive deep on specific aspects of the book. To understand the Nicene Creed, one of our primary statements of faith, try The Nicene Creed. It's written by a Catholic theologian but really helped me understand more pieces of this prayer that Christians share.
If you are interested in the more mystical/Ignatian modes of spirituality, both of these are Catholic but apply well to Anglicanism: Richard Rohr's Center for Contemplation in Action (love their daily reflections!) and many of the books by Father James Martin, SJ.
Lastly, read the Bible just a little bit every day! It will help you get more familiar with things. Try choosing a daily devotional like Sacred Space or Day by Day which will give you snippets of reading and reflection. It'll help you grow to understand scripture better.
This book is a good entry way into the Episcopal Church (TEC): https://www.amazon.com/People-Called-Episcopalians-Introduction-Revised-ebook/dp/B00MXERC8Y/ref=sr_1_7?keywords=introduction+to+the+episcopal+church&qid=1569422186&s=gateway&sr=8-7
I also use this book for those in my church who are discerning confirmation, and allows in particular those from different Christian traditions to compare theirs to the Episcopal inflection: https://www.amazon.com/Your-Faith-Life-Invitation-Episcopal/dp/0819233714/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=your+faith+your+life&qid=1569422267&s=gateway&sr=8-1
The Inclusive Bible is probably the best bet for a translation like that. The toughest thing about "expansive language" projects for scripture or liturgy is that it's really difficult. They often get critiqued for inelegant renderings or theological faux pas.
For my own prayer time, I use the St. Helena Breviary, which uses inclusive language, and I love it. It has its own inclusive translation of the Psalms, which is also great. (I actually want to pick up a Bible translation like the one I mentioned above, because it's so jarring to be praying in gender neutral language and get thrown back into gendered language for God for other Scripture readings.)
For gender neutral trinitarian formulations, I've seen "Creator, Redeemer (or Liberator) and Sustainer (or Sanctifier)," "Source of all being, Incarnate Word and Holy Spirit."
The Episcopal Church's Enriching Our Worship has a few blessings which get at this idea too:
>Holy eternal Majesty,
>Holy incarnate Word,
>Holy abiding Spirit,
>Bless you for evermore. Amen.
>May the blessing of the God of Abraham and Sarah, and of Jesus Christ born of our sister Mary, and of the Holy Spirit, who broods over the world as a mother over her children, be upon you and remain with you always. Amen.
>God’s Blessing be with you,
>Christ’s peace be with you,
>the Spirit’s outpouring be with you, now and always. Amen.
Some of these get accused of modalism, which I think is a fair critique.
https://www.amazon.com/Hymnal-1982-according-Episcopal-Church/dp/0898691214/ref=sr_1_2
This is am amazing list! Thank you for sharing!
For devotionals, I also love Forward Day By Day, which has a website, twitter account, devotional books, and kindle books.
First Black woman in the Church of England appointed bishop. The first Anglican (as in the tradition and the global Communion) Black woman appointed bishop was Barbara Harris, who was consecrated 30 years ago in the Episcopal Church (USA) as Suffragan Bishop of Massachusetts. She also has a new book out: Hallelujah, Anyhow.
I was a longtime ambivelant Episcopalian who began taking the faith seriously when reading daily devotionals from the 1928 prayer book. A candle, a bible, a prayer book, and approximately twenty minutes in the morning and evening allows one to make the worship of God part of one's day. The prayer book will take one through most of the Bible in the year, all of the psalms in several weeks, and will familiarize one with the major creeds of the church.
If interested, print the following: "http://www.sjac-ny.org/Guides/Guide1928BCP.pdf", obtain the following: "http://www.amazon.com/The-1928-Book-Common-Prayer/dp/0195285069/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1374073345&sr=8-1&keywords=1928+prayer+book", and use your favorite translation of the Bible, I prefer Knox "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knox's_Translation_of_the_Vulgate" which can be found on eBay for ~$30.
In terms of countering atheism's reductionistic worldview, try Socrates' Dialogs. A used copy of Plato's works can be found cheaply on eBay. The 6th volume of the "Great Books of the Western World" is a well regarded translation of Plato's works and is readily available. In the Dialogs one is taught to contemplate the whole rather than the part and to thereby see the world as something greater than that which arrives through the five senses. From there, one can read Augustine's "Confessions", "City of God", and "On Christian Doctrine". Augustine spends much time in "City of God" alternately concurring with and criticizing Plato, so, again, Plato may be best to start with. Of course, Augustine quotes much scripture so be sure to do the daily devotionals and work toward aquiring a familiarity with the Bible.
For a picture of the "City of Man" to contrast Augustine's "City of God" read Plutarch's "Lives", Homer's "Iliad", Virgil's "Aeneid", and the works of Aeschylus, Sophocles, and Euripidies. These writings will give one a background into gentile religion before Christ's arrival. Plutarch, in particular, depicts of the ruthlessness of many historical figures who followed the gods, often to a ruin which paled those found in the Greek tragedies.
From there, one can read Aristotle, who was a brilliant critic of Plato, and who was in essence more concerned with parts rather than wholes. His writings would greatly influence Aquinas and many of the following erudite sophists that corrputed the church before the reformation, and of which Erasmus criticized in his "Praise of Folly". A reading of Lucretius' "The Way Things Are" will show one to the logical outcome of adopting a reductionistic or extremely scientific worldview. Be sure to read the closing lines of Book VI. For an ancient poem, "The Way Things Are" is very modern.
Finally, avoid glossy-bound modern writings on Christianity, build one's foundation on writings that have stood the test of time. The chaff of today's writings will be winnowed by the following generation. Try not to allow oneself to become too attached to any one denomination. Look for humor and happiness, and more importantly, Christian act rather than profession.
Peace be with you.
There’s a Liturgical Index of Hymns on amazon that I use. Ittells you hymn suggestions related to the reading for each day in the daily office lectionary. It’s tied to the 1982 hymnal.
I recommend the Episcopal hymnal! It's what I used to up my sight reading abilities, which has done wonders for me. There are plenty of well-known tunes and some excellent melodies/harmonies.
Red book contains accompaniment for pieces that have it.
Blue book is just SATB parts or melody lines.
Us krazy Episkopals
Just a book: http://www.amazon.com/books/dp/1885985029
The BCP becomes a way of life after you really learn it's meaning/how to use it.
edit: Link is not to BCP, but of an introductory book to the Episcopal way of worship/cliffnotes version of the mentality.
Thanks! It puts things in context I think. Actually, I got inspired to this by the book People of the Way: Exploring Episcopal Identity by Dwight Zscheile. He has some good thoughts about Luke 10.1-12... especially about the need to make oneself VULNERABLE and able to accept the hospitality of others....
http://www.amazon.com/People-Way-Renewing-Episcopal-Identity-ebook/dp/B009M5CJ44/ref=sr_1_fkmr1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1398360855&sr=8-1-fkmr1&keywords=People+of+the+Way%3A+Exploring+Episcopal+Identity
I can point you to a few things. Finding it slightly odd a Catholic would frame a question that way ;)
Pope Francis: Then ask yourself if "I have a tendency to privatize salvation for me, for my group, for my elite or whether I desert all the people of God, do I walk away from the people of God or am I always in the community, family, with the language of faith, hope, and the language of the works of charity? ". "May the Lord give us the grace to increasingly feel ourselves part of the people of God, personally saved. That's true: He saves us by name, but we are saved as a people, not in the group that I make for myself".
Advice to Eucharistic Visitors from this book:
"Not only does the eucharist unite us with Christ, it also unites us with other members of Christ's Body. You are a Christ-bearer used by God to connect those you visit to the larger Body of Christ in the church and in the world in the past, present, and future. Since the Christian community is bound together and strengthened through the common eucharistic meal, it is important for people not able to be there to be included in the oneness of the community. "We are not saved in isolation. We are saved as a people. What we do for the Body, which is the church, is related to our holiness and salvation."
NT Wright has also written about how the idea of a personal salvation uncoupled from a communal one would have not been something people living at the time the epistles were written would have understood. The idea of "God saving me while everyone sitting in the church with me is going to hell" would not have made any sense to them. Also notice how often letters are addressed to people, to church, to believers in plural.
I hope this is helpful.
Jesus Was An Episcopalian (And You Can Be One Too!): A Newcomer's Guide to the Episcopal Church by Rev Chris Yaw. This is a light hearted introduction with a tongue in cheek title. https://www.amazon.com/dp/1595180001/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_t1_eGSNBbHR403AD