The use of a Book of Common Prayer has been a hallmark of Anglicanism, resulting in a liturgical language that shapes doctrine. What began as a single Book of Common Prayer in sixteenth-century England has developed into a family of prayer books authorized by member churches of the global Anglican Communion. The Oxford Handbook of the Book of Common Prayer offers a holistic view of the prayer-book tradition in Anglicanism and explores new directions emerging in the Communion. Written by forty-six diverse Anglican scholars from throughout the world, it analyzes historic and more recent editions bearing that title in churches throughout the Anglican Communion, as well as modern books that fulfill the same function, to aid understanding and practices of worship in Anglicanism. The Handbook begins with an exploration of the Book of Common Prayer in context, assessing its colonial legacy and exploring the significance of the book for Anglican identity. It considers inculturation of worship and cultural differences in the texts of the books and in the use and interpretation of the books. Themed sections cover the language of the Book of Common Prayer, including questions of translation and inclusive and expansive language, and worship space, rubrics, and music. Other sections consider theologies and practices of the liturgical year, Christian initiation (baptism, confirmation, admission to communion), services of the word (daily offices and eucharist), ordination and ministry, and pastoral offices.
While many of the chapters introduce historical background, the focus in this volume is the interpretation and use of contemporary Prayer Books, with attention to the impact of the twentieth-century Liturgical Movement. Since the 1980s, Anglicans have met through the International Anglican Liturgical Consultation to consider principles for liturgical revision and to share news of developments in their home Provinces, and this book takes note of the findings of these consultations.
