Editor's notes

As I write these notes for the Summer issue of the ATR, I am also working on another consultation for the Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church-one of my jobs as his canon theologian. Readers of the journal will know of the Presiding Bishop's consultation held last June on bioethics and the theological questions surrounding genetic engineering and cloning, which was published as the Fall issue 1999. Bishop Griswold has asked me to gather together each year a group of theologians to explore with him theological questions facing the Church. The consultation this June will be on the Mission of Theology in the Episcopal Church, and our purpose will be to think about the nature of theology itself and how theologians can serve the Church both in its life of worship and service and in helping Episcopalians to respond to the many crucial questions which face Christians today. Once again we shall publish a report on this consultation in the ATR.

I mention all this because the ATR provides one of the ways in which the people of the Church can become aware of the mission of theology. In each issue we try to publish articles that both nourish and challenge Christian people in their belief and action in the world. Four of the articles in this issue explore historical themes and their relevance for the contemporary Church: Anselm, the great theologian of the atonement; the Fatherhood of God in early Christian writings; what Queen Elizabeth I may or may not have believed about the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist; and the parallels between biblical and constitutional interpretation. Two others address more directly the implications for Anglicans of ethnic and cultural diversity. In addition, there are some splendid poems for our reflection, and the excellent reviews of books of importance to readers of the ATR. Michael Johnston's art review explores the contemporary interest in the rich tradition of icons.

In all this we believe that the ATR is encouraging the mission of theology in the Anglican Communion.

JAMEs E. GRIFFISS EDITOR

Copyright Anglican Theological Review, Inc. Summer 2000
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