Restoration of faith
Sir: I respect Professor Martin's concern for the maintenance and safeguarding of the historic spirituality of the Anglican Church ("The Archbishop's priorities,' 15 September), but I find that his answers do not touch on the real problem. Concern for religious education, a sound liturgy and Christian art has its place. These are important in the strengthening, support and expression of the Church's faith. Far more vital, however, is the substance of that faith. Professor Martin writes too much as the sociologist and is too much concerned with form and symbol. What is needed today above all else is a return to the historical and Biblical faith of the Reformed Fathers of the Church of England and the Thirty-nine Articles. The highest priority of the new Archbishop is the renewed proclamation of God's word to man in Jesus Christ and the Bible. When that is done, education, liturgy, art and every other area of the Church's concern even modern ecumenism and ecclesiastical politicians will fall into place.
As an evangelical free churchman I would like to add that the '20,000 costly and holy houses' of the Church of England do not monopolise the religious ecology of England. Nonconformist chapels still have their role to play when they witness to the power and joy of gathered communities of Biblical faith. It may be that the preaching in some 'Bethel' has a more vital word to society than a bench full of prelates. Kenneth G. Brownell 24 Colney Hatch Lane, Muswell Hill, London N10
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