Author Paul Anthony Dominiak
Publisher T&T Clark £85
Format hbk
ISBN 9780567685070
Richard Hooker (1554-1600), who wrote The Laws of Ecclesiastical Politie is regarded as one of the founding fathers of the Anglican Church, and is commemorated in our calendar on the anniversary of his death, 3 November. He is often regarded as forging the distinctive path for the Church of England between Roman Catholicism and Puritanism, ground which many may argue is still needed today, although the labels may have changed. One strand of Hooker’s theology, relatively neglected by the church (although it was embraced by some adherents of the 19th century Oxford Movement), is ‘participation in God’, or taking on or sharing the divine nature. 2 Peter 1.4 is a principal text, although there are other important allusions in scripture, such as John 10.34. Dominiak, the Vice-Principal of Westcott House, has produced a comprehensive analysis of Hooker’s philosophical thinking on participation, suggesting how the concept was critical in building the entire structure of ‘church law’; hence the term ‘architecture’ in the subtitle. Dominiak draws out the modern implications for ecumenism, especially with the Orthodox churches. All this is admirably detailed, written in technical, but clear, academic language, with extensive reference material as footnotes on every page. For certain academic theologians and church historians this is highly desirable reading and reference, although the level is post-graduate rather than undergraduate. For most Readers and other lay ministers, however, this book is way beyond their practical needs, even for those undergoing theological training. Beautifully produced and meticulous, it is nonetheless an expensive book for individuals and therefore can only be recommended for academic theological libraries.
MALCOLM DAWSON
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