Politics and Religion: The Faith of God’s People, The Gospel, and Anglican Interpretation by Kyle Michael Bradley Wagner A Thesis Submitted to the Faculty of Trinity College and the Toronto School of Theology. In partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Ministry awarded by Trinity College and The University of Toronto. © Copyright by Kyle Michael Bradley Wagner 2020 Politics and Religion: The Faith of God’s People, The Gospel, and Anglican Interpretation Kyle Michael Bradley Wagner Doctor of Ministry Trinity College and the University of Toronto 2020 Abstract This thesis examines the nature of religion and politics in the lives of Canadian Anglicans. As a phenomenological study, the collective voices of Anglicans in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia were gathered and analyzed. The research identifies how some Anglicans engage the world and their understanding of the scripture. The scope of this study included interviews and a questionnaire with twelve anonymous Anglicans and provided essential insight into the lives of Anglicans in Canada at a local level and therefore is something that the broader church should consider. ii Autobiographical Statement Born in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and raised in Bedeque, Prince Edward Island, the Rev. Kyle Wagner is an Anglican priest in the Diocese of Nova Scotia and PEI. From a young age, Rev. Wagner had an interest in politics, serving as a page in the Prince Edward Island Legislature. He also worked as an assistant to former island Premier and Senator Catherine Callbeck. Rev. Wagner is an advocate of social justice and encourages the church to speak publicly on issues of social justice. A graduate of Mount Allison University, Sackville New Brunswick, with a Bachelor of Arts in History and Political Science, and the Atlantic School of Theology, Halifax with a Master of Divinity, Rev. Wagner, has a lifelong joy for learning. At the time of completion of this thesis, Rev. Wagner was Rector of Christ Church, Dartmouth, a large historic downtown church. He is also a sessional lecturer at the Atlantic School of Theology. iii Dedication For you Dad. iv Acknowledgments This body of research could not have been possible without the support of many. First, I would like to thank the Anglican Church of Canada, and specifically the Anglican Foundation of Canada, who graciously supported me with funding along this journey. Thank you to the University of King’s College, Halifax, NS, for its scholarship funding and Trinity College, the University of Toronto, for helping the research come to fruition. I wish to thank the Diocese of Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island, and Archbishop Ron Cutler for his encouragement. Thank you to Bishop Sue Moxley for guiding me on this path. The Parish of Seaforth, Eastern Shore, Nova Scotia, began this journey with me, and the Parish of Christ Church, Dartmouth, became home to this inquiry. Thank you to the people of the parish, and the wardens: Jim Graham, Marg Seaman, John Gallant, Christine Hoehne, and Steve Smith. I also give thanks for Nan Nicholls, the Chair of the Historical Committee, who dedicated time to the archives, ensuring that I would capture the spirit of Christ Church and its history. Sincere appreciation goes to all the clergy and academics who supported me along the way: The Rev. Canon Dr. Paul Friesian, The Rev. Dr. Rob Fennell, The Rev. Sarah Chapman, The Rev. Trevor Lightfoot, and the Rev. John Perkin. Your vigils were appreciated! To the Rev. Canon Dr. Jody Clarke or “Jody,” thank you for your friendship, your guidance, and your ability to challenge me. With you by my side, this work was able to say something to the church. To my godfather, Archbishop Fred Hiltz, you have set an example for many, and I am just one who seeks to model your ministry and pastoral voice in our beloved church. Your support for me as a child, later with my call to ordained ministry, and the love you, Lynn (Godmother), and Nathan have shown Mom and me over the years touches my heart. To the faculty of the Toronto School of Theology (TST), particularly Dr. Ephraim Radner, who has the substance of genius in political matters and the church, and Father Joseph Schner, who was gentle in his tutoring, thank you for your time and patience. My supervisor, Professor David Neelands, who is an academic, and pastor and a man of great character, wit and humour, your support and guidance have seen this body of work to completion. Thank you for the gift of friendship. v To my mother-and-father-in-law, my sister-in-law, thank you for supporting Julie and me through this endeavour. The countless hours spent babysitting; well, I can only imagine. Mom, you are my model for ministry. The love and kindness you have shown me throughout my life are like God’s grace. We dedicate this work to Dad. To Julie, the real academic, the first Doctor in our family, thank you for pushing me to get this done. Thank you for our wonderful boys, Elijah and Charlie. vi Table of Contents Autobiographical Statement ....................................................................................................... iii Dedication .................................................................................................................................. iv Acknowledgments ....................................................................................................................... v List of Tables .............................................................................................................................. ix CHAPTER ONE: BEGINNINGS AND BACKGROUND ........................................................... 1 Introduction ................................................................................................................................. 1 The Study: ................................................................................................................................... 3 Ministry Context: ........................................................................................................................ 6 The Local: Christ Church, Dartmouth .................................................................................... 6 The Wider Church: ................................................................................................................ 12 Diocese of Nova Scotia and PEI ............................................................................................ 12 The Anglican Church of Canada ........................................................................................... 15 Personal Theology of Ministry .................................................................................................. 18 Introduction to Personal Theology of Ministry ..................................................................... 18 CHAPTER TWO: THEOLOGICAL AND THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK .......................... 28 Introduction ............................................................................................................................... 28 Brief Examples in Scripture on The Nature of Humanity & Politics ....................................... 31 Augustine and the World: The City of God ............................................................................... 35 City of Man ............................................................................................................................ 38 Reinhold Niebuhr: Moral Man, Immoral Society, and the World ............................................ 41 Stanley Hauerwas and Political Theology and Telling the Story.............................................. 49 Hauerwas’ New Christian Ethic ............................................................................................ 53 Conclusion:................................................................................................................................ 59 CHAPTER THREE: RESEARCH METHOD AND DESIGN ................................................... 63 Statement of Research Problem ................................................................................................ 63 Research Methodology and Approach ...................................................................................... 67 Method: Qualitative Research Reflections on Politics and Faith ......................................... 67 Phenomenology and the Case Study ..................................................................................... 69 Phenomenology: .................................................................................................................... 69 Case Study ............................................................................................................................. 71 Methodological Assumptions .................................................................................................... 73 Definitions ............................................................................................................................. 79 vii Role as Researcher ................................................................................................................. 81 Ethics of Research ................................................................................................................. 82 Recruitment of Participants and Data Collection .................................................................. 82 Participants ...........................................................................................................................