What is it about?
The idea that Anglicanism defines itself as a middle way (via media) has been around for some time. Against the classical notion of a middle way between two extremes (a golden mean), this article tries to understand the different ways the middle way was thought about in Anglicanism. It traces the history of the development of the idea of a middle way from its beginnings up through John Henry Newman. It concludes by questioning whether Newman's understanding of the via media will be accepted by the Anglican Communion as a point of self identity.
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Why is it important?
This article is important because it examines the historical development of the idea that Anglicanism is a middle way (via media) due to its moderation in reform.
Perspectives
Most of my articles start off as questions I have about something. This one started off as a question about the history and nature of the idea of the Anglican middle way (via media). Writing this article help me to better understand that the Anglican divines generally thought of the via media as the way of moderation between two extremes. It also helped me to understand the development of the idea of Anglicanism as a middle way (via media) historically up through the time of Newman and its continued use today.
Rev'd Dr T L Holtzen
Nashotah House
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: The Anglican Via Media: The Idea of Moderation in Reform, Journal of Anglican Studies, November 2018, Cambridge University Press,
DOI: 10.1017/s174035531800027x.
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