Anglicanism in Transition

Last updated on: June 15, 2015 at 12:00 am By Peter Leithart

William Swatos’s 1979 monograph, Into Denominationalism, is a model of careful historical and sociological judgment. Though he relies on secondary scholarship, the book is rich in historical detail, even though it covers a wide swath of history, from Henry VIII to the establishment of the Episcopal Church in the US. Swatos is also theoretically sophisticated, defending Weber’s church-sect typology by tracing the development of Anglicanism through a nuanced version of Weber’s model. Two polarized factors shape whether a given communion acts... Read more

Sin or Sins?

Last updated on: June 15, 2015 at 12:00 am By Peter Leithart

Simon Gathercole (Defending Substitution) finds a common theme running through alternatives to substitutionary conceptions of atonement: They emphasize the cosmic and oppressive power of Sin, but downplay the role of specific acts of sin—sins—in Paul’s theology. Gathercole acknowledges that Paul can speak of Sin as a force that enslaves human beings, but he demonstrates that Paul speaks equally about sins, transgressons, and evil deeds in the plural (e.g., Romans 4:7, 7:5; 11:27; 1 Corinthians 15:3; Romans 3:25; 1:30; 3:8: etc.—see... Read more

Fire from Heaven

Last updated on: June 15, 2015 at 12:00 am By Peter Leithart

Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed by fire from heaven (Genesis 19:24). This was a response to the “outcry of Sodom and Gomorrah,” which was “very great” on account of their “exceedingly grave” sin (18:20). Presumably, the cry is the cry of the oppressed, or the cry of innocent blood that, like the blood of Abel, ascends to heaven calling for vengeance. So the process is: Sodom sins; the oppressed cry out; angels show up to announce judgment; the Lord rains... Read more

Eight Rivers

Last updated on: June 15, 2015 at 12:00 am By Peter Leithart

Further reflections on rivers in the book of Revelation, following up on an earlier note. “River”(potamos) is used eight times in Revelation, and the eight references form a repeated pattern: A. Third trumpet, star falls on rivers; turn to poison, 8:10. B. Sixth trumpet, release angels at River Euphrates, 9:14. C. Serpent tries to drown woman with river from mouth, 12:15-16 (2x). A’. Third bowl poured on rivers; turn to blood, 16:4. B’. Sixth bowl poured on Euphrates, dries it, 16:12.... Read more

Harvest Time

Last updated on: June 13, 2015 at 12:00 am By Peter Leithart

Agricultural cycles symbolize periods of time. Human projects begin with a time of sowing and planting; then a time of watering and caring and weeding and growth; and finally a time of harvest. A couple marries, they have children who grow to adulthood, in the end they reap a harvest of old age, grandchildren, enjoy the fruits of their labor. A pastor works hard to plant a church, nurtures, waters and weeds it through many years, finally sees it grow... Read more

Ascent of the Lamb

Last updated on: June 12, 2015 at 12:00 am By Peter Leithart

Revelation describes three scenes of singing. When the Lamb first appears in heaven, the elders and creatures and angels break out into a “new song” (Revelation 5:9). That same “new song” is heard by the 144,000, who are assembled with the Lamb on Mount Zion (14:1), and the 144,000 begin to learn the new song of heaven (14:2-3). After the harvest, the saints sing a harvest song, standing on the firmament, holding harps and singing the song of Moses and... Read more

Sources of Denominationalism

Last updated on: June 12, 2015 at 12:00 am By Peter Leithart

William Swatos sees the decline of denominations as “a significant shift in Western civilization and its culture,” tied to the changing landscape of global political and economic life (220). To grasp what is happening to denominations, Swatos directs attention to the global political and economic circumstances of their formation. Post-Reformation Europe saw the rise of state churches, distinguished not only by nationality but by confession. Swatos sees in this a “clearly visible relativizing of all religious claims.” Laud saw what... Read more

As American As Anglicanism

Last updated on: June 12, 2015 at 12:00 am By Peter Leithart

William Swatos observes that “The Church of England at its inception and in the Elizabethan period — perhaps its finest hour — was ‘pure’ religion as Durkheim would define it: Society writ large” (217). The Anglican church was England at prayer. Given the symbiosis of church and crown, it’s not surprising that they collapsed together in the early seventeenth century. The restoration redefined church membership, “abstracting” it from nationality. According to Swatos, “The Church of England became symbolic of the... Read more

Structure in Revelation 15

Last updated on: June 11, 2015 at 12:00 am By Peter Leithart

Revelation 15:1 forms an inclusio with Revelation 12:1, 3: Both speak of a “great sign in heaven.” There is progression from chapter 12 to 15: At the beginning of the sequence, the dragon and woman are in heaven. In the course of chapter 12, both leave. When 15:1 returns to a great sky sign, it’s not the dragon but seven angels bearing the seven last plagues. More locally, 15:2-4 is clearly a completion of a textual arc that begins in... Read more

Organization or Mission?

Last updated on: June 11, 2015 at 12:00 am By Peter Leithart

Denominations, argues Craig Van Gelder, rest on an “organizational” conception of the church that thinks of the church in “primarily functional terms” according to which “the church is responsible to do something on behalf of God in the world” (24). Citing Martin Marty, he claims that this is “a turning point in the history of the church, one that departed from the previous 1400 years ofthe church’s self-understanding” (26). What this seems to involve is an understanding of “the church”... Read more