Wrestling with a Godly Order

The story of the 1662 Book of Common Prayer has a far wider reach than the Church of England. The essays in this volume provide contemporary and historical accounts of the significance of the Book of Common Prayer for a variety of Christian traditions. Originating as papers delivered at an ecumenical symposium held at Sarum College, Salisbury, UK marking the 350th Anniversary of the 1662 Book of Common Prayer, the contributions to this book narrate a rich, diverse and probing account of a 'Godly Order' that has had a profound and long lasting impact upon English public prayer in the modern era. "Wrestling With a Godly Order presents an outsider's view to what is often seen as very much an insider's book, the Book of Common Prayer. In recording these voices of opposition, appropriation and unexpected affiliation, it makes a sensitive and significant addition to the history of this classic among the world's religious books." Brain Cummings, Anniversary Professor at the University of York "I very much welcome the publication of this collection of scholarly essays whose authors are drawn from a rich diversity of Christian communities. I hope that it will serve well the work of ecumenism, so that our prayer as Christians may be mutually enriched." Cardinal Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Westminster. Contributors: The Revd Prebendary Norman Wallwork, Methodist minister and member of the Joint Liturgical Group; The Rt Revd Colin Buchanan, Assistant Bishop in the Diocese of West Yorkshire and the Dales; the Revd Dr Chris Ellis, Former President of the Baptist Union; The Revd Dr Susan Durber, Minister in the United Reformed Church and Theology Advisor at Christian Aid; The Revd Alan Griffiths, Roman Catholic Priest in the Diocese of Portsmouth; Dr Bridget Nichols, Liturgical Commission of the Church of England.