More Than a Moment

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Written April 2024

The arrival of Augustine and his 40-man mission team in 597 was one of those significant moments for the church in England. Soldiers and traders had shared their faith during 300 years of Roman occupation so that Christianity was well established alongside, and often incorporating indigenous religious practices. Later Anglo-Saxons antagonism had led to suppression, weakening and persecution of the church especially in south-east England. The strategically-minded Pope Gregory was determined to re-establish Christianity and the primacy of Rome in England as part of his plan for their dominance in Northern Europe.  He selected Augustine, a man well-versed in the scriptures and with a record of effective administration. Perhaps recalling the impact that Constantine’s conversion had had, he ordered that the approach be to Ethelbert whose wife was already a convert. ‘Help Ethelbert understand he would be a better king by becoming a Christian,’ was the instruction. Ethelbert may have had secondary motives, like strengthening trade with the continent, including France. He agreed to an open-air meeting with Augustine. (Does that sound familiar to Salvationists?)  Not only was he baptised into the faith but he also enacted laws protecting Christianity. Within a century the Christianisation of England was effectively complete. But Gregory's hopes of uniting all under Canterbury foundered with opposition from the Celtic-oriented church in western England and Wales. 
 
All went well for Rome for several centuries until questions arose about the authority of the church and its hierarchy versus that of scripture and personal conviction.  Luther emphasised justification by faith in Germany, Calvin promoted a theology of predestination in Switzerland. In England Cranmer emerged as leader of the Reformation, promoting the thought of royal supremacy of the national church. Once again politically motivated decisions were surfacing. Henry Vlll quickly latched onto the spirit of reformation to justify his marriage arrangements. That was it - another king had a dramatic impact on the church in England.  Monasteries were sacked; the power of the Roman church was restricted. Power struggles between conservatives and reformers inhibited dramatic change but the first doctrinal and liturgical structures of the reformed Church of England were instituted.   
 
But as often happens, in time sophistication and contentment lead to a dilution of the primacy of the church's mission and there's another upheaval with the restlessness of an Anglican priest recently returned from a stint in colonial America. John Wesley has a dramatic spiritual experience - 'I felt my heart strangely warmed', as he describes his Aldersgate experience. He toys with the idea of joining the Moravians but remains an Anglican, focusing his ministry on 'the common man'. He specialised in outdoor preaching (retired SA officers know all about that) across England, and Methodism is born. Wesleyan theology developed with its emphasis on the welcome of all, not just 'the elect' and then growth in 'perfect love' as an expression of the holiness. That was to shape an emphasis with which Salvationists are familiar. 
 
But once again differences emerged with the systematisation of theology, governance and methodology within Methodism. Splinter groups formed - primitive, new connexion and more. And once again there's a man for the moment. Influenced by his upbringing in a 19th century pawnbroker family, with a sincerity of faith and a wife whose faith and commitment perhaps outshone his, this Methodist minister breaks with the denomination. He steps out onto the streets of east London and then around the country, rather like his esteemed predecessor. The Christian Mission that is a Salvation Army is born. Women are given equal opportunity with men for ministry as one of its distinctives. And with emphasis on the primacy of the inner life, the sacraments are set aside. If Wesley saw ‘all the world’ as his parish, Methodism had to create a missionary society to fulfil that dream. Not so for William Booth. His Salvation Army has nurtured a uniform and single organisation embracing social and evangelistic arms and all round the world where its flag flies, all ultimately incorporated under its General. 
 
A century and a half later it finds itself in a very different England. Revival spearheaded by the Pentecostal movement led to some church growth. A wave of immigration has led to the cosmopolitan pattern of the church in England today, often with a strong Afro-Caribbean style. Immigration from Eastern Europe has given fresh life to Catholicism. But there are other opposing influences around, leading to decline in religious observance. The legacy of Darwin and his On the Origin of Species, of Dawkins and The God Delusion remain. We may search for pivotal moments in this history of invasion, of political disputes, of religious trends, of theological positions and debates – and wonder what comes next. This may prove fruitless until we remember that it is really about the man behind it all, and that his history came to life in us one day long ago – by faith.  That’s the moment worth remembering. 
 
 
The article was written at the request of the South London Retired Officers’ Newsletter, and under the title and subtitles given.
 
 November 2023