Nationalism, internationalism, and ecclesiology at the 1920 Lambeth Conference

Methuen, C. (2023) Nationalism, internationalism, and ecclesiology at the 1920 Lambeth Conference. In: Becker, J. and Robert, D. (eds.) The Young Ecumenical Movement: Explorations in Christian Internationalism, 1895-1920s. Brill. (Accepted for Publication)

Abstract

In summer 1920, the bishops of the Anglican Communion gathered for the sixth Lambeth Conference. The themes of their discussions included “Christianity and International Relations”, “The Church and Industrial Problems”, “The Development of Provinces”, “Missionary Problems”, and “Reunion” (which would now be called ecumenical relations). This article draws on the analysis of interwar debates about nationalism and internationalism provided by Michael Byram, Fred Halliday, Carsten Holbraad, Antero Holmila and Pasi Ihalainen, and Glenda Sluga to explore the bishops’ approach to these twin themes. Recognising that the Anglican Communion – and thus the Lambeth Conference itself – was an expression of hegemonic or colonialist understanding of internationalism, it nonetheless concludes that the Lambeth bishops’ understanding of internationalism, and specifically their support for the League of Nations, shares many of the principles of liberal internationalism, expressed the bishops’ commitment to fellowship and mutual responsibility. The need to find a balance between nationalism and internationalism was implicit to the bishop’s discussions of ecumenical relations – leading to the well-known “Appeal to All Christian People” – but also (with difference emphases) to their efforts to develop the structures of the Anglican Communion. The bishops’ conception of the local church, the universal Church and the relationship between them were therefore entwined with and shaped by their understanding of nationalism and internationalism.

• Item Type: Book Sections
• Status: Accepted for Publication
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Methuen, Professor Charlotte
• Authors: Methuen, C.
• Subjects: B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BR Christianity; B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BX Christian Denominations; D History General and Old World > D History (General) > D204 Modern History
• College/School: College of Arts & Humanities > School of Critical Studies > Theology and Religious Studies
• Publisher: Brill