The Episcopal Church in Crisis

"Clearly written, The Episcopal Church in Crisis also displays great clarity of thought. This enables an understanding of the complex and often intertwined events, acts, reports which have fueled the controversies. This same clarity pervades the analysis of the issues involved. Although he is a liberal, Kirkpatrick's book is fair and displays intellectual integrity. His conclusions about the future of Anglicanism and the Episcopal Church deserve wide consideration." -- Rev. Dr. Alan C. Tull, Canon Theologian, Episcopal Diocese of Utah "With a discerning mind and a gentle touch, Frank Kirkpatrick demonstrates that the conservative arguments against the acceptance of gays and lesbians draw on the ancient Christian heresies of Donatism, Manicheanism, and Gnosticism. With Kirkpatrick, I long for the day when the real battles in our beloved church will be waged over how well we fulfill the mandate of Jesus to care for the least of these. This is an important and useful book." -- Randall Balmer, Episcopal priest and Professor of American Religious History, Barnard College, Columbia University "This is a must read, not only for anyone wanting to understand the current turmoil in the Anglican Communion, but also for anyone who cares about the future of American Christianity. The issues raised and the groups described here extend far beyond the American Episcopal Church and should concern anyone who cares about the direction of Christianity in the United States. While being clear about his own positions, Professor Kirkpatrick is to be commended for presenting all sides clearly and fairly. And he concludes with a historically accurate and theologically based presentation of the Anglican vision of Christianity. All this makes this volume an important contribution to the ongoing discussion." -- Rev. James W. Jones, Psy.D., Ph.D., Th.D., Episcopal Priest, Professor of Religion and Adjunct Professor of Clinical Psychology, Rutgers University

The current debate in the Episcopal Church in the United States (ECUSA) over its relationship with the worldwide Anglican Communion has been building for some time.

The current debate in the Episcopal Church in the United States (ECUSA) over its relationship with the worldwide Anglican Communion has been building for some time. Some Episcopalians (including priests, bishops, and dioceses) have broken or are considering breaking their historic affiliation with the current authoritative bodies of ECUSA because they believe they have betrayed the historic teachings and morality of the Anglican tradition. The author places this emerging crisis in context: historical, moral, theological, cultural, and ecclesiological. He explores how the rift between Episcopalians in the United States originated, how it is being played out now in the rift between the official representatives of ECUSA and the Anglican Communion, what the arguments are for and against all sides, and what are the prospects for either reconciliation at some level between the opposing parties or deepening schism in the future. Kirkpatrick explores the variety of contentious issues, rather than focusing just on the one that gets the most media attention: homosexuality. The crisis in the Church goes much deeper than that, however, and involves issues of church, tradition, and biblical authority. The author provides necessary background but focuses primarily on the events that have occurred since 2003 when ECUSA approved the election and consecration of an openly gay bishop. While the situation continues to evolve and change, the book provides readers with an up-to-date account of the history of the crisis, an analysis of the conflicting arguments, and a contextual guide for understanding what might come next in this unfolding st