Richard Hooker and the Authority of Scripture, Tradition and Reason

Atkinson, Nigel

ISBN 10: 1573833347 / ISBN 13: 9781573833349

Published by Regent College Publishing, 2005

About this Item

New copy. Mild shelf wear. WR.

Seller Inventory # ABE-1769131571250

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Richard Hooker and the Authority of Scripture, Tradition and Reason
• Publisher: Regent College Publishing
• Publication Date: 2005
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1573833347
• ISBN 13: 9781573833349
• Binding: Soft cover
• Condition: New
• Seller catalogs:
  • Church History

About this title

Synopsis

There is no doubt that Richard Hooker (1554-1600) is one of the most important writers in the history of the Church of England. However, since John Henry Newman presented him as a "theologian of the via media" he has been consistently overlooked by evangelical Anglicans. This well-documented and detailed analysis of the theological first principles of the 'father of Anglicanism' challenges the traditional consensus. The author examines three key elements of Hooker's theology-namely, the authority of reason, tradition and Scripture and evaluates Hooker's approach in the light of his debates with contemporary Puritans including Walter Travers, Thomas Cartwright and William Tyndale. His views are then compared with the approaches of Erasmus and the Reformers Luther and Calvin. Finally, the interpretations of leading and influential Hooker scholars are examined to show how often his theological principles have been misrepresented. This important study concludes that Hooker's debt to the Reformation is greater and more profound than generally acknowledged and that Hooker is consistently closer the mainstream of Reformation thought than his Puritan opponents. "This book is sure to put the cat among the pigeons of Hooker scholarship, and reopen the question of interpretations which many have assumed were resolved." -Gerald Bray, Beeson Divinity School "A lucid, penetrating and immensely relevant study of Hooker's theological method which firmly repudiates the influential High church stereotype of Hooker."- Alister McGrath, from the foreword An ordained priest with the Church of England, Nigel T. Atkinson is Warden of Latimer House, Oxford.

About the Author

An ordained priest with the Church of England, Nigel T. Atkinson is Warden of Latimer House, Oxford. He is married with four children.