Evangelicals on the Canterbury Trail

The transference of allegiances from one Christian tradition to another can often be a source of pain the converts' friends and family. A particular sore point is when one leaves for a Church that is viewed in one's former tradition as "highly suspect." Robert E. Webber understands these emotions well. Webber, a former Bob Jones University graduate who left the Evangelical Protestant movement for Anglicanism, was one of the first in a wave of prominent Evangelicals discovering liturgical worship. Evangelicals on the Canterbury Trail is not as much a call for all Evangelicals to make a similar move, but an explanation - using his own experience as an example - as to why an Evangelical would make such a move. The overall tone is very irenic and seeks to promote a greater understanding among faithful Christians of all traditions.The first part of the book is a description of Webber's conversion to Anglicanism. Rather than giving a strictly chronological telling of his trek, he approaches it from six different aspects of the Christian Faith (mystery, worship, sacraments, spiritual identity, the Church, spirituality) he came to believe were inadequately expressed in Evangelical Protestantism. The turning point in much of his discussion was his discovery of the Church Fathers. In them, he saw a far more balanced vision of Christianity - one he found expressed well in Anglicanism and the worship of the Book of Common Prayer.The second part of the book consists of the personal testimonies of converts to Anglicanism. Although generally kind towards their former homes, it is obvious the deficiencies of modern Evangelical Protestant worship had taken its toll. A strong point here is each of the testimonies are sufficiently different in background and experience to avoid repetition of the same points. This also gives a sampling of the breadth of the movement to historic Christianity.Webber returns to finish with a call for Evangelicals and those in the liturgical Churches to grow to know each other better as fellow Christians. While pointing out the factors leading to his move to Anglicanism, Webber recognizes strengths in Evangelicalism (strong personal faith, commitment to orthodoxy, love of Scripture, and concern for mission and evangelism) that would benefit the liturgical Churches. He predicts a convergence of traditions in the next century as the old wounds of the Church finally begin to heal.In the nearly twenty years since the publication of Evangelicals on the Canterbury Trail, much has happened relating to the points Webber raised - and many of his predictions now seem prophetic. The move to the historical Churches has grown considerably with Evangelical converts bringing their strengths with them to their new homes. Also, there have been many points of honest discussion and a detente of sorts along the ecclesiological front lines (although like other cessations of hostilities it is neither appreciated or observed by all).Oddly thoug

For those who are looking at joining the Anglican Tradition then this book is a must read, though the reader must be warned that this book is not a staunch, detailed defence of Anglicanism over other evangelical denominations. Webber has a love for all evangelical traditions, though for him the Anglican Tradition met six important needs that other traditions did not. He explaines those within the book.In my opinion Webber's book touches upon a more important issue that is rampant within conservative evangelicalism: rationalism.For the conservative evangelical who is only concerned about his neat, ordered, boxed up theology, this book will not serve that purpose. Webber's journey into the Episcopal Church could also be titled "An Escape From Rationalism." He like myself have discovered that there is a whole lot more to Christianity than getting our theologies perfect.One of Webber's reasons for joining the Anglican Tradition was needing what he called "a sense of mystery in religious experience", in other words this was saying that God cannot and will not be boxed up in some theological system.I like Webber have also made the pilgrimage to Canterbury, I encourage others to explore also and to discover the beauty of the Anglican Tradition for themselves.

A line from Robert Webber's book that may startle both evangelicals and Anglicans alike reads, "As I meditate on my worship experience in the Episcopal tradition, I find I am drawn to it because it is so thoroughly evangelical." This book tells his story and the story of several others at Wheaton College who found themselves drawn to the Anglican tradition. For a time I lived in a foreign country and a city where the best choice for worship was the Anglican church; otherwise, as a good card-carrying evangelical, I may never have set foot in one. What I found was eye-opening to me, and I was thrilled to find that Robert Webber has written a book that puts this experience into words.Liturgy is evangelical? Absolutely. As Webber points out, in the average Anglican service, more Scripture is read than at most community Bible churches. Responsive readings invite people to interact with the Word. The atmosphere of doctrinal litmus-testing that is so readily apparent in most evangelical churches takes a backseat, allowing honest study and inquiry-people can come to God first before they must seek approval from the congregation. The "point" of the service is worship and communion with God (not least because communion/Eucharist happens every week), and not entertainment by the worship team and pastor. The worship and activities of the church are tied to a rich historical tradition, thus freeing them from the mood of the moment, whatever the modern culture or a particular congregation feels comfortable with. Webber explains these things well though doesn't go into much of the historical or structural detail of the Anglican church (for this try _What is Anglicanism?_ by Urban T. Holmes III).Of course, perfection is God's alone and any church or tradition will fall short. In the U.S. in particular, Anglicanism has often wandered far from historical and Scriptural roots. (One glance at Bishop Spong's books will confirm this!) Anglican churches that hold to high-church forms feel much more foreign to me than the little provincial church I called home for a time. But we should take this and any opportunity to see our own tradition more clearly, its positives and negatives. Unlike Webber and the others who tell their stories in the book, I haven't become an Anglican, but what I discovered and find well-documented by it is that there is something missing in evangelical worship which we would do well to reclaim. Our brothers and sisters in the liturgical church can help us do it, and in this little readable book Webber gives an apologetic and an explanation in terms we understand. Hurrah for the Body of Christ!

Seeking greater depth in the Christian pilgrimage and an escape from the predominant 'plastic Christianity' in America today lead this seeker to explore, embrace and exalt in liturgical Christianity. The Book of Common Prayer is one of the greatest devotional classics ever and an excellent framework for daily enriching and deepening one's walk with Christ. Liturgy edifies and uplifts and if you are a Baptist or any other evangelical label and you are in search of depth, read and enjoy Webber's book. I'd recommend his new book too 'Ancient-Future Faith' and his 'Liturgical Evangelism.' All the harping against Anglicanism/Episcopalians by my contemporaries has proven false. IF you are interested in returning to the true worship of our forefathers go and see for yourself in a Anglican/Episcopal church and devour'Evangelicals on the Canterbury Trail'

I had been drawn to the Anglican Church for about a year before I joined. I think it all started when I visited a Catholic church (followed by an Orthodox one) and experienced a deep sense of mystery. Then I started reading the Church Fathers of the 1st Millennium, as well as mystics. However, there were certain doctrines of the Catholic and Orthodox churches I could not accept (though don't get me wrong I believe they are Christians!). The next logical step of my yearning for mystery, and love of the church fathers was the Episcopal Church. My story (with the Catholic visits and church fathers) resembles Webber's and the others' testimonies. While mine is slightly different it is not too far off. Webber came from a fundamentalist Baptist tradition (I was a United Methodist), which believed the church went apostate around 100 AD. Webber was also a die hard 5-point Calvinist (as he said '1st a Calvinist, then a Christian'). He also had negative attitudes toward mainline denominations, and especially Catholics. But he found the evangelical church lacking. There was no mystery; it all seemed either too rational or too emotionally subjective. He felt like many things were missing, namely mystery and symbolic worship (such as signing the cross, and anointing with oil). He said he had never felt the resurrection until he went to a Roman Catholic service. Until then the Resurrection was just a cold doctrine he felt like he had to defend. Like Webber, I can still call myself an evangelical, but I don't mean it in the same way I used to. Like Webber, I have come to appreciate diversity in the church (as long as the creeds can be said honestly).One thing Webber learned was that there is such a thing as the universal and apostolic church, one that transcends denominations, including the Anglican Church. Like the testimonies in the book, I have no malice toward my old church tradition, in fact I am proud of it in many ways. However, many who know I have become Episcopal often ask "Why?" The best thing I could do would be to point them to this book.