Why Sacraments?

Why Sacraments? explores the Christian sacraments in relation to the Bible and the theological tradition, presenting solid theology in an accessible and popular manner. The book looks at the place of the sacraments in the worship of the church and the life of the Christian. The reader will find both a discussion of the seven rites called sacraments and an investigation of what it means for something to be sacramental. Contents: Foreword 1 Why sacraments? 2 Baptism 3 Sacramental character 4 The Eucharist 5 The anatomy of the sacraments I: signs, matter and form 6 How many sacraments? 7 Confirmation 8 Ordination 9 The anatomy of the sacraments II: setting, intention, minister and recipient 10 Marriage 11 Anointing 12 Confession 13 The sacraments and the Holy Spirit Conclusion: Sacraments and the incarnation

About the Author :
The Revd Dr Andrew Davison is Tutor in Doctrine at Westcott House, Cambridge, where he himself trained, and an affiliated lecturer in the Cambridge University Theological Faculty. He was formerly Tutor in doctrine at St Stephen's House, Oxford and a member of the Oxford Theology Faculty. He is the author of several books, including Imaginative Apologetics.

Review :
""Why Sacraments? began life as a lecture course for ordinands and this is evident from its easy and enjoyable style--breezy, learned, pastoral, and witty. This is a theological introduction to the sacraments which raises the standards in Anglican sacramental theology to a level not seen in decades. The theology is, as we would expect from Davison, confident and humane, Anglicano-Thomist and ecumenical, traditional and contemporary, taking no prisoners!"" --John Hughes, Jesus College, Cambridge ""Here is a book to savour, and like the sacraments Davison writes so movingly about, we encounter God's plenty through each and every page. We are immensely in Davison's debt for such profound wisdom. And for his deep insights into how we are met by the presence of God through the apparently ordinary--which is also, simultaneously, the vehicle for God's extraordinary grace."" --Martyn Percy, Ripon College, Cuddesdon, Oxford, Oxfordshire ""In this book, Davison shows . . . how the performance of the sacraments is central to the religion of incarnation and atonement. The extremity of divine presence, which is sustained by a sacramental continuation of the incarnation, uniquely sacralizes in its wake all of the natural world and human society. The extremity of the divine undergoing that is hereby invoked and renewed, uniquely holds out a hope for the final healing of nature and the political order."" --Catherine Pickstock, University of Cambridge, Cambridge ""In this accessibly scholarly book, Andrew Davison invites readers to enter deeply into the question, 'Why sacraments?' He shows compellingly that no other means of salvation would so exactly have met the human desire for grace in the complexities of our material and cultural existence. The sacraments form our character and challenge us to seek true human flourishing in the vision of the incarnation. A fine addition to the study and teaching of sacramental theology."" --Stephen Conway, Bishop of Ely, Ely ""Andrew Davison writes with enthusiasm and authority about the sacramental heart of our faith. He combines a rigorous approach to this subject with a lucid, engaging, and accessible style. 'Why Sacraments?' will appeal a wide readership: it will be of particular benefit to those considering or preparing for licensed ministry, and those engaged in parish study groups or confirmation preparation. There has long been a real need for a work such as this, which speaks across Church traditions in offering each of us fresh insights and challenges."" --Leanne Roberts, Southwark Cathedral, Trinity House, London