Spiritual Foundation: Contemplative Pragmatics

Anglican theology is seen as participation in the divine Logos, in a manner both doxological and sacramental, deeply embedded in local culture, and expressed through a cultural pragmatics which includes both speech acts, non-verbal communication, and symbols, and known through individual and communal affections which in turn recognize the value of this interaction with the divine. One instance of this is the early nineteenth century lay Anglican and poet, Samuel Taylor Coleridge, who in turn has influenced Daniel Hardy, an Anglican theologian. The activity of worship is examined in depth as a ‘contemplative pragmatic’ through which God transforms humankind, and so divine communication establishes the deep interrelationship of worship, moral discernment, cultural expression and human transformation, as shown in the writings of such Anglican theologians as Timothy Sedgwick and Rowan Williams. Two examples of this are given from South Africa and Wales, both of which were witnessed by the author. The article concludes with some reflections on gender, liturgy and culture, and the manner in which this article lays the foundation for further dialogue with indigenous culture and worship worldwide.