What is Anglicanism?

Urban T. Holmes III

Episcopalians are Anglicans. In this book Holmes tries to explain what it means to be an Anglican and walk the “via media” or middle way between Catholic and Protestant.

In his chapter on liturgy, he says  “Elizabeth I herself said that she was not interested in poking around in the conscience of people, but she expected outward conformity. We still live in that spirit. ”

Through chapters on the Anglican consciousness, the Bible, Liturgy, the Incarnation, the Sacraments, the Episcopacy, Spirituality and the church and state Holmes explains what makes Anglican Christians unique.

This quote sums up the appear of Anglicanism for many of us: "We Anglicans are not given to writing great theology. There are notable exceptions, but they are difficult to remember; but when Anglicanism is at its best its liturgy, its poetry, its music and its life can create a world of wonder in which it is very easy to fall in love with God. We are much more adept at the left hand than at the right."