Theology Update for the Week of October 25

Dear friends in Christ,

Sunday’s theology class will be on Articles 23, 24, and 25 of the Thirty-Nine Articles of Religion, whichpertain to ministry, the use of a language in church “understanded of the people,” and to sacraments. Articles 23 and 24 are pretty straight-forward; Article 25 packs a punch. You’re welcome to join the class, even if it would be your first one. The 39 Articles are a fundamental Anglican document from the 16th century that still speak to us today. The class is at 10 o’clock on the 5th floor, with coffee and tea in the room.

On Monday, October 26, I will repeat the Sunday class for people who happen to be in the area. The Monday class is at 12:40pm on the second floor.

Then on Tuesday we will come to the final session of the Faith Within Reason class. Our final topic is what it means to say “God is good,”which is chapter 8 of the book by Herbert McCabe. For this class also, newcomers are welcome: October 27, at 6:30 p.m. in Andrew Hall.

Looking Ahead

Sunday, November 1, Father Daniels will give us a break from the 39 Articles when he offers a special class: an overview of the recent and historic agreement between Anglican and Oriental Orthodox Christians on the incarnation of Christ and the “procession” of the Holy Spirit. This “agreed statement on Christology,” published just three weeks ago in North Wales, will now need to be received by the various churches involved. What does the statement affirm, and why is the agreement historic?

Professor Jeremy Waldron will join me for a four-week class, starting Tuesday, November 10, on Oliver O’Donovan’s book On the Thirty-Nine Articles. In this commentary, the esteemed Anglican moral theologian engages in a “conversation with Tudor Christianity.” The Tuesday course will be independent of the Sunday class, and there will be no expectation that one has been to the other. The class will be at 6:30 p.m. in Andrew Hall; the first session will be on the introduction and chapters 1 and 2.

And don’t miss this: On November 16, the Good Books & Good Talk seminar will discuss Walker Percy’s Lost in the Cosmos, the ultimate send-up of self-help books. Anyone who reads the book is welcome to the seminar; there will not be a quiz. (But it is a hilarious book–pick up a copy and skim it; you’ll see.)

Peace,
Father Austin