We Are Theologians: Strengthening the People of God (#555) by Fredrica Harris Thompsett is the second interlude reading for my EfM course this year. The point Ms. Thompsett is making in her slim volume is that the laity, rather than being the center of a living, dynamic church at work in today's world' is instead marginalized on the fringes of the mainstream churches. Oh, the laity's presence and money is required, but that seems to be the limit of hierarchical toleration. Studying in community with others, thoughtful inquiry and new interpretations of scriptural material are only encouraged within narrow constraints.
Needless to say, I mostly found this fascinating. I don't know what your experiences may have been in this regard, but being raised Roman Catholic, much of what Ms. Thompsett said struck a chord with me. I must admit, she did lose me a bit in the chapter on liberation theology which was much more in vogue, I expect, when the book was originally published more than ten years ago. Nonetheless, I found her chapter on Anglican theology both enlightening and encouraging. It convinced me that as an Episcopalian I am now in the right place for me.
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