Posted on: July 13th, 2009 Hooker, Herbert, & “Contemplative Pragmatism”
More from Rupert Shortt’s autobiography of Rowan Williams, Rowan’s Rule (p 346-7):
“Richard Hooker … thought that the ordering of the household of faith required what Rowan terms ‘contemplative pragmatism:’ ‘pragmatic’ because sin makes the Church more muddled than the tidy-minded are prepared to allow, but ‘contemplative’ as well, owing to the ‘hidden action of God beneath the generally unbroken surface of the world’s processes.’ Hooker habitually warned his hearers of what an inexact science theology is. As Rowan reminds us, George Herbert gave a similar warning about spiritual experience. In other words, there should be room in the Church for those hanging on by their fingertips, as well as for the firm in faith.”
4 Responses to “Hooker, Herbert, & “Contemplative Pragmatism””
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Robert Says:
July 13th, 2009 at 11:06 am“…there should be room in the Church for those hanging on by their fingertips, as well as for the firm in faith.”
Amen to that!
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Steve Martin Says:
July 16th, 2009 at 8:59 amI know that most of the time He’s got a hold of me by a single thread of my collar.
I guess it isn’t how much faith you have, but the object of it that counts.
Thanks!
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matt Says:
July 16th, 2009 at 12:48 pmGood to hear from you, Steve. Checked out your blog. Cool.
Hey, Robert, I think you would like Steve’s blog.
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Gordon Davis Says:
July 26th, 2009 at 4:07 pm“…there should be room in the Church for those hanging on by their fingertips, as well as for the firm in faith.”
Make that two Amens (actually, 3–I know that that’s what Steve Martin was saying, too)!