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Durham E-Theses A Local Christology in a Postmodern Culture and its Representation in Forming a New Eucharistic Prayer for the Anglican Church of Canada PHILLIPS, DONALD,D How to cite: PHILLIPS, DONALD,D (2015) A Local Christology in a Postmodern Culture and its Representation in Forming a New Eucharistic Prayer for the Anglican Church of Canada, Durham theses, Durham University. Available at Durham E-Theses Online: http://etheses.dur.ac.uk/11181/ Use policy The full-text may be used and/or reproduced, and given to third parties in any format or medium, without prior permission or charge, for personal research or study, educational, or not-for-prot purposes provided that: • a full bibliographic reference is made to the original source • a link is made to the metadata record in Durham E-Theses • the full-text is not changed in any way The full-text must not be sold in any format or medium without the formal permission of the copyright holders. Please consult the full Durham E-Theses policy for further details. Academic Support Oce, Durham University, University Oce, Old Elvet, Durham DH1 3HP e-mail: [email protected] Tel: +44 0191 334 6107 http://etheses.dur.ac.uk 2 A Local Christology in a Postmodern Culture and its Representation in Forming a New Eucharistic Prayer for the Anglican Church of Canada Donald D. Phillips A thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy Department of Theology and Religion Durham University 2015 Donald D. Phillips A Local Christology in a Post-modern Culture and its Representation in Forming a New Eucharistic Prayer for the Anglican Church of Canada Abstract This thesis is generated in response to the significant decline in membership of the Anglican Church of Canada in the latter half of the twentieth century. Based on a reflexive understanding of the interaction of theology and culture, it proposes a local Christology in response to the local (post-modern) culture of the Anglican Church of Canada and Canadian society, as a way to strengthen the proclamation of Christ in contemporary cultures. The development of the notion of culture is explored, particularly utilizing the work of Kathryn Tanner. Building on the work of Clifford Geertz in describing cultures, a semiotic approach based on Robert Schreiter’s work on local cultures is used to establish the premise that all theology is contextual and that culture and theology dynamically interact in a reflexive relationship. In the context of theology being expressed through liturgical texts, the notion of inculturation is introduced and some contemporary examples offered. The typology of H. Richard Niebuhr is used as a contemporary starting point to examine the interaction of Christ and culture, and the description of Christ as the transformer of culture is utilized. This understanding is then examined in light of the culture of the Anglican Church of Canada and the Eucharistic Prayer texts are explored for evidence of being in a reflexive relationship with that culture. Using the work of Hans Frei, a Christology is developed which is congruent with the need to express the person and work of Christ within a cultural frame. The Christologies of the existing contemporary Eucharistic Prayers of the Anglican Church of Canada are examined in light of Roger Haight’s criteria for building local Christologies. The ‘Frei-inspired’ narrative Christology is employed and new Eucharistic Prayer texts are proposed for the Anglican Church of Canada in response to its local culture. 1 Declaration This thesis is based on research solely undertaken by the author. No part of this thesis has previously been submitted for a degree at Durham University or at any other university. Copyright The copyright of this thesis rests with the author. No quotation from it should be published without the author’s prior written consent and information derived from it should be acknowledged 2 Acknowledgements It is with a deep sense of gratitude that I acknowledge the following people for their support and assistance in this research. Firstly I want to thank my primary supervisor, Professor Gerard Loughlin along with my secondary supervisor, Canon David Kennedy. Without their wisdom, encouragement and patience this work would not have been completed. In addition I wish to thank Professor Paul Murray and Professor David Brown, both of whom played supervisory roles during my research period. I also wish to thank the postgraduate support staff in the Department of Theology and Religion, and in particular Ms. Ellen Middleton for her careful guidance, as well as Dr. David Heading for his computing assistance. I want to thank Dr. David Wilkinson and the staff of St. John’s College, Durham, for their support, interest and hospitality during my visits to Durham. I am also grateful for the gracious hospitality and support I received from my friends in Scotland (David & Heather Sceats, Tim & Irene Morris, Susan Macdonald) during my visits to the UK. I am grateful for the helpful information I received from my interviewees, Professor William Crockett and Professor Richard Leggett, of Vancouver, along with the Rev’d. Dr. Paul Gibson of Toronto. I want to acknowledge Bishop Victoria Matthews (then of Edmonton, Canada) for encouraging me to begin this work, as well as my colleagues in the Diocese of Rupert’s Land (Canada) and in particular the Rev’d. Dr. David Widdicombe, and my Executive Assistant, Susan Suppes, whose prayers, patience and support have been invaluable. I give thanks to Professor Chris Trott, Warden of St. John’s College, Winnipeg, Canada, for this encouragement and generous provision of office space during my sabbatical. And I am most grateful for the proof-reading assistance given by Professor Jane Barter Moulaison, University of Winnipeg. Finally I wish to thank my family and acknowledge the sacrifice, on many levels, that they have made over many years. Without the selfless love, patience, support and encouragement of my spouse, Nancy, none of this work would have been possible. For this I am most grateful. 3 Dedication This thesis is dedicated to the glory of God and in loving memory of my father David E. Phillips whose love of learning inspired many. 4 Table of Contents Abstract .................................................................................................................................... 1 Declaration ............................................................................................................................... 2 Copyright ................................................................................................................................. 2 Acknowledgements .................................................................................................................. 3 Dedication ................................................................................................................................ 4 Chapter ONE – Introduction ................................................................................................ 8 Background ........................................................................................................................ 8 Thesis Outline ................................................................................................................... 19 Chapter TWO – Local Culture and Theology ................................................................... 36 Developing an Understanding of the Notion of Culture ............................................... 36 Describing a local culture ................................................................................................ 43 Local Culture and Contextual Theology ........................................................................ 52 Developing a Contextual Approach to Theology........................................................... 57 Reflexivity ..................................................................................................................... 64 Inculturation ................................................................................................................. 65 Chapter THREE - Interaction of Theology and a Local Culture .................................... 72 The Interaction of Theology and Culture in Niebuhr’s Five Types ............................ 74 Anglican Church of Canada culture and its Eucharistic Prayers ............................... 91 Eucharistic Prayer 1 .................................................................................................. 109 Eucharistic Prayer 2 .................................................................................................. 111 Eucharistic Prayer 3 .................................................................................................. 112 Eucharistic Prayer 4 .................................................................................................. 113 Eucharistic Prayer 5 .................................................................................................. 115 Eucharistic Prayer 6 .................................................................................................. 115 Chapter FOUR – Post-Modern Christology: the Primacy of the Text ......................... 120 Introduction to the work of Hans Frei ......................................................................... 121 Using Frei’s ‘hermeneutical principles’ ....................................................................... 129 Realistic narrative .....................................................................................................

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