ABSTRACT
So far, the picture of Anglican ecclesiology is a complex one: On the one hand, Anglicanism has contained a Protestant, Reformation understanding of Church since the sixteenth century. On the other hand, Anglicans have also maintained a strong defense of episcopacy which has at times seemed detached from a consistent ecclesiological outlook. This plurality of views and inconsistencies may in part be explained by an approach to ecclesial authority that has favored unity and open discussion over the enforcement of one doctrinal position. However, these complexities do not necessarily lead to a chaotic Anglican ecclesiology. Anglican understandings of Church may be diverse, but when Anglicans engage in ecumenical discussions, they are quite capable of expressing a general ecclesiological position which sets them apart from other denominations. Anglicans are aware that the ecumenical agreements they reach must not alienate the various groups within their tradition. Although on the surface Anglicans may seem to shift their beliefs to resemble the ideas of their particular dialogue partners, underneath these shifts are general strategies of argument which prevent their various ecumenical agreements from contradicting each other and include as broad a range of Anglicanism as possible. These ecumenical agreements deserve a closer look, for they contain outlines of a general Anglican ecclesiological perspective. An analysis of how Anglicans approach ecumenical problems, of what they are prepared to agree and disagree on, should reveal something about the implicit self-understanding that shapes Anglican ecclesiology. Indeed, it is often only in discussions with those who are different that a group or tradition may achieve greater self-expression and self-realization.
