THE OLIVE BRANCH: An Evangelical Anglican Doctrine of the Church, by Tim Bradshaw. Latimer House, Oxford University, 1992. 306 pp. (BX5131.2.B72).
This book is from the reading list of TEAC (Theological Education for the Anglican Communion), proposed by the present Archbishop of Canterbury for bishops, priests, deacons and laity. The author reminds us of the evangelical roots of Anglicans. Formerly at Trinity College, Bristol, Bradshaw has been Dean at Regents Park College, Oxford. He has participated in the International Anglican – Orthodox Dialogue and on the English Anglican – Roman Catholic Committee.
Ecclesiology, the Eucharist, baptism and ministry are addressed as practiced by the Anglo-Catholic wing of the church and by its evangelical Anglican counterpart. Their differing attitudes toward Scripture are keys to understanding both. The Anglican Communion is inclusive. Bradshaw, an advocate of evangelical Anglican ministry, speaks of the catholic, the charismatic and the evangelical coexisting with the liberal and the liberationist. Bradshaw, on ecumenism, sees great promise in dialogue between Anglicans and the Free Church and Reformed tradition. There should be no surprise that dialogue between Anglicans and Baptists is ongoing. “Listening to the range of voices in the Christian family is vital…” (P. xiv).
Lord Runcie, formerly Archbishop of Canterbury, called for more contributions from evangelicals to the growing discussion of ecclesiology. He says “I welcome this book from Tim Bradshaw. It illustrates how our doctrine of the church both shares and reflects our attitude to authority, ministry and salvation.” (Cover).
…The Library Committee