Research Papers - Sex and Gender

Tradition, change and the new Anglicanism

Savi Hensman — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 17:44:13 +0100

The global media are largely interpreting the current fissures within the worldwide Anglican Communion as a struggle between ‘traditionalists’ and ‘revisionists’, ‘conservatives’ and ‘liberals’, ‘evangelicals’ and modernists’. In this thoughtful paper, Savitri Hensman shows that these are unhelpful caricatures, and that what is at stake is something far larger than an argument within one denomination. It is about the nature of Christianity in a fast-changing contemporary world, the dangers of simplistic readings of the Bible, the historic threat of authoritarianism, the challenge of human rights, and the tension between the establishment instincts of many Christians institutions and its radical, transformative roots in the life-changing story and flesh of Jesus. This reading of the situation within Anglicanism and in a broader context will assist commentators, researchers, journalists, concerned observers of many stances, and all who are interested in how the relationship between religion and society is changing after Christendom. The paper complements the author’s contributions to the new book Fear or Freedom? Why a warring church must change, edited by Simon Barrow (Shoving Leopard / Ekklesia, 2008) – available in the UK from Metanoia Book Service, and elsewhere via Amazon.

The full document is available as a *.PDF (Adobe Acrobat) file here:

http://www.ekklesia.co.uk/files/newanglicanism.pdf

Savi Hensman

Listening and learning in the sexuality debate

Savi Hensman — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 11:15:38 +0000

As part of the 'listening process' in the Anglican Communion over the extensive disagreements about human sexuality, Ekklesia associate Savitri Hensman has prepared a paper on Learning, Listening, Scripture and Sexuality which seeks both to take the conversation forward and to affirm the role of lesbian and gay Christians as active and baptised members in the church, in accordance with a faithful and interpretatively sensitive reading of its the texts and tradition.

Savi Hensman

Re-writing History: the Episcopal Church struggle

Savi Hensman — Thu, 19 Jul 2007 17:18:35 +0100

In the global intra-Anglican 'wars' about sexuality, biblical interpretation, authority and church polity, The Episcopal Church (TEC) in the USA has been singled out from other Anglican provinces and subjected to harsh criticism and threats of expulsion. Why is this? What are the underlying issues about the use of Scripture and other questions which explain why TEC is such a bone of contention? Can Christians learn to handle differences in more creative ways which honour the life-giving Gospel message they are supposed to exemplify?

You can read a new report and analysis from Ekklesia associate Savitri Hensman in *.PDF form here

A nine point summary is given below.

Savi Hensman

Current Research: By the Numbers - Examining claims of representation and growth within Church of England

Jordan Tchilingirian — Sun, 03 Dec 2006 18:55:27 +0000

Due for publication in March 2007, following the Church of England's General Synod and the Anglican Primates' meeting in Tanzania, this report - produced in partnership with Inclusive Church - will look at claims being made by groupings within the institution about who they represent and which sections of the church are growing. It will look at how 'the numers game' is played, to what effect, and will suggest alternative trajectories beyond the current 'stand off' in global Anglicanism. [With Simon Barrow]

Jordan Tchilingirian

What Future For Marriage?

Jonathan Bartley — Fri, 16 Jun 2006 19:27:14 +0100

In recent years the Christian churches have set great stall by ‘family values’ and the institution of marriage. Yet the form of marriage we know as such today is a relatively late invention out of something that once had much more to do with solidifying dynastic power. And most commentators agree that it is going through a tough time – with more people choosing not to marry, opting to forge different (often informal) partnerships, and getting divorced in increasing numbers. This paper sets out a new approach, which proposes abolishing legal marriage in its current form.

Simon Barrow

Faith and Politics After Christendom

Press Office — Wed, 14 Jun 2006 18:15:18 +0100

This book examines the changing relationship between faith and politics. For the best part of 1700 years, the institutional church has enjoyed a hand-in-hand relationship with government. Indeed, the church has often been seen as the glue that has stopped political systems from disintegrating into anarchy. But in this post-Christendom era the relation of Church and State has weakened to the point where the church can no longer claim to play any significant part in Government. What does the future hold? Where is it all heading? What should be done in the face of radicalised religion?

Jonathan Bartley