|
Research
Paper on Richard Hooker and Emergent
Anglicanism
Richard Hooker (1554-1600) was the
leading theologian of the Anglican/Episcopal religion. He was
educated at Corpus Christi College, University of Oxford. In
1581, Hooker was appointed as clergyman in the Church of
England. Richard Hooker wrote a number of source book on issues
relating to governance of Anglican Church and interpretation of
Christian religious doctrines. His famous book is called Of the
Laws of Ecclesiastical Polity. It was written in the 1580s and
90s.
Need a custom research paper? we can write custom research papers for you!
It was Queen Elizabeth I who appointed Hooker as Rector of
Church of England to tackle the influence of the Calvinists in
1585. Hooker remained engaged in dealing with Calvinist leader
like Walter Travers and others and participated in religious
dialogues and debates over a number of disputed issues. The
Anglican Church was introduced and patronized by the British
Royal family and consists of Churches of England and Ireland.
The Episcopal Church is an independent branch of the Anglican
Church in North America and Scotland. The Anglican Church was
given the status of the national Church in the first half of
16th century by King Henry VII. The Church of England was
dissociated from the Church of Rome and the influence of Pope.
This has resulted mainly from the refusal of Pope to annul Henry
VII’s marriage to Catherine of Aragon. “He thus reaffirmed the
ancient right of the Christian prince, or monarch, to exercise
supremacy over the affairs of the church within his domain”.
Hooker acquired a prominent position in the clergy of his time.
“He forged an epistemology based on human reason and the
historic affirmations the church. He preached a tolerant and
inclusive church in which a wide variety of opinions were
allowed so long as the Episcopal governance was respected and a
public affirmation of Christ was maintained”.
Despite of his prominent position in the Church he became more
famous because of the books written on Laws of Anglican religion
and Church and that fame is continued till date. His first book
was Of the Lawes of Ecclesiasticall Politie that appeared in 8
volumes. The main intention of Hooker's work was to reveal the
advantages of the Episcopal form of organization of the Church
of England over the Presbyterian form used by its opponents. His
work also recognized that natural laws are unchangeable but the
laws designed and enforced by the state authorities are subject
to change in case of need or necessity.
Need a custom research paper? we can write custom research papers for you!
During his association with the Anglican Church Hooker was a
great advocate of fundamental baptismal faith– 'one Lord, one
faith, one baptism'. He pointed out that religious belief could
not be legislated for....Elizabeth reassured her subjects that
she would force no one's conscience [and]...forbade that 'any of
our subjects should be molested by examination or inquisition,
in any matter, either of faith, so long as they shall profess
the Christian faith...as long as they shall in their outward
conversation show themselves quiet and comfortable....”
Hooker explained and defended every aspect of Anglican worship
and religious theory and practice in his books. Hooker is also
famous as a literary figure. He is known as an early proponent
of the Anglo-American system of constitutional law. His writings
are considered as masterpieces in English language. Hooker
advocated the idea of Church that should be an open, liberal,
comprehensive body and a link between Roman Catholicism and the
more extreme forms of Protestantism. The main purpose of Church
according to Hooker should be to make maximum people worship
God. He stressed the importance of community worship and reading
of the Bible. He held the Sacrament of Holy Communion as the
best way for the believer to participate with Christ in God's
Incarnation.
Presently Hooker is important because his teachings are simple
and contain an account of the problems of a modern man. He
addresses the problems of a common man in a way that is
understandable to them. His interpretation of religion is to the
point and contains not complexity.
Need a custom research paper? we can write custom research papers for you! |
