Journeys of Faith: Evangelicalism, Eastern Orthodoxy, Catholicism, and Anglicanism by Robert Plummer
Many evangelicals today are taking comfort in rituals through returning to the ancient practices within the liturgical traditions; Anglicanism, Catholicism, and eastern Orthodoxy. Robert Plummer in his book; Journey of faith presents theological arguments and personal stories concerning those who have undertaken faith journeys in various directions, within and outside evangelicalism. There are some contributions that are ecumenical while others are not. Every story on conversion is provided with evangelical response. The book mainly adds to our understanding on ritual appeal among the dissatisfied evangelicals. The book is divided into four sections each one of them having three chapters. The first chapter presents the journey of the author from Roman Catholic to Evangelicalism.
One of the most intriguing parts of the book is on the conversion to Evangelical Orthodoxy. This is a kind of journey which is mainly determined by personal appeal. The four accounts provide a good sense of the real reason why each converted to another Christian denomination, however, despite the theological hurdles, one is less convinced.
The most interesting point I this book was on the first three journeys that are involve interpretation and question of authority. Those going away from evangelism are seen to have the need for an authority to determine the creeds, settle the canon and set boundaries for the interpretation of the Scriptures. The Roman Catholic to Evangelism conversion rejoinder provides a forceful and robust attack towards the sola scriptura doctrine. I nevertheless, remain unconvinced that the Scripture in its very self cannot be viewed as the final authority. This is because the general doctrine of Tradition and the Church ultimately, must be based on the Scripture.
While the task of the Evangelicals is to hold to the Scripture’s authority, while at the same time recognizing the challenged involved in manifold interpretation, seem to be a sticky issue. Infact from this point, there is no other rationally difficult aspect to apprehend than the circular appeal in Eastern Orthodoxy of Roman Catholic to the Church and tradition as the ultimate authority, for it is an interpretation that is too open or circular.
According to the narratives, it is clear that liturgy by itself is not the main reason behind conversions, and neither is theology. The common perspective that people see behind the decision to move between Christian lines is as a result of lengthy and fruitful engagement with the Holy Scriptures. However, based on the narratives of the stories in the book, individuals are driven by the longing to fulfill something which is missing in their specific traditions. This can be seen in the vase of Wilbur lssworth who claims that he was attracted to Orthodoxy because its Scriptures is based on Christ-centered approach. This is a clear case showing that what is not present in a given tradition can be found in another.
However, it can not be right to say that Christ-centered scholars and pastors are not found in Evangelicalism. Also, it is not difficult to find traditional and reverent worship in other religions. The other aspect that has puzzled me in this book is on the capitalization of Evangelicalism and Evangelic. The capitalization can mean that the faith of the Evangelical is a tradition in church just like orthodoxy, Catholics, and Anglicanism. Thus for the case of Ellsworth who has conversed from Southern Baptism to Orthodoxy, it can generally be said to be Evangelicalism conversion.
Most of the stories depict the conversion from Evangelicalism to other church traditions. The stories presents issues on Sola Scriptura and authority, but the response given to them does not show much adequacy in addressing these issues. Plummer shows that authority is a major aspect. In that the one with the final say on our practice or faith can be on experience, traditions or the Scripture or a combination.
He answered that to the Evangelical, the final authority is the Scripture. The author further acknowledges the important and secondary role of traditions to the Christian churches and even to those who deny these traditions. I agree with the author that there abuse of authority within the Evangelical has high chances of leading some people to search for stability of senses which they experiences within the liturgical churches. The desire to many Christians is to have a connection with the church but few evangelical churches are connecting and educating their people with church history of their previous churches.
By reading all through the stories, the contributors placed the conscious faith within Christ in low revival meeting and the evangelical church. Though the contributors provided their appreciation on their personal spiritual heritage, they do not manage to provide corresponding emphasis towards conversion within the liturgical churches they currently believe in. Generally, I believe Plummer’s book to be a good ecumenical dialogue. These discussions present a friendly tone that does not detract from the major differences between the contributors. Understanding the book presents good conversations among leaders in the evangelical church.
Reference
Plummer R (2012) Journeys of Faith: Evangelicalism, Eastern Orthodoxy, Catholicism and Anglicanism. Publisher Zondervan,
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