Richard Hooker Clergy Seminar

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Clergy Seminar – Reading Richard Hooker’s Laws of Ecclesiastical Polity

In discussions of Anglican theology and identity, Richard Hooker is often referred to, rarely read, and frequently misunderstood. One of the most important thinkers in the Anglican tradition, Hooker has been claimed by Anglo-Catholics, Evangelicals, and Broad Church adherents alike as one of the Anglican Church’s presiding spirits. Hooker’s magisterial Laws of Ecclesiastical Polity [1593-7] is a comprehensive defence of the Elizabethan Settlement and the English Prayer Book. Compared to the popularity of the works of his contemporary, William Perkins, the Laws was not a runaway best-seller and received a mixed reception at its publication from various quarters in the English Church. Indeed, there is some evidence that Books VI-VIII, published posthumously, may have been suppressed. In this monthly seminar, open to all clergy, we shall read through the Laws, with an eye on the historical context, the history of the reception of the text, and its continued value as a theological resource. We will also examine how we might introduce Hooker‘s work and thought to lay people in the parishes in which we serve.
One of the impediments to reading Hooker has been the sophistication (and in some cases the impenetrability) of his Elizabeth prose. Recently, the Davenant Institute has published a “modern translation” of the Preface and first four books of the Laws (the fifth book is currently in preparation). This may be one way in which we can re-introduce Hooker to the laity. Participants in the seminar are invited to read Hooker in either the original [Keble’s edition is readily available online] or in the Davenant rendering, which may be purchased through Amazon. In the first session, the facilitator will provide background context to prepare us for the reading of the text.
The Laws of Ecclesiastical Polity in Modern English, Vol. 1 Paperback
Belschner, Marr, and Littlejohn, editors.
Davenant Press, 2019. ISBN 978-1949716917, $30.05 cdn
The Works of that Learned and Judicious Divine Mr. Richard Hooker, Vol. 1 [1888]
John Keble, editor (can be easily found in reprints or online)
Vol 1
Vol 2
Vol 3

To register, contact Dan Graves:  associate@trinityaurora.ca

Course Schedule (2021-22)

April (2021): General Background
May: Lawes, Preface
June: Lawes, Book I
July: Lawes, Books II-IV
Sept: Lawes, Book V 
Oct: Lawes, Book V (cont'd)
Nov: Lawes, Book VI
Jan (2022): Lawes, Book VII
Feb: Lawes, Book VIII

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