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	October 2002
		Web of Meaning: The Role of Origins in the Christian Faith by Bruce Kaye. Aquila Press 2000, ISBN 1-875861-73-4, 196 pp reviewed by Alan Dwight
			As General Secretary of the Anglican Church of Australia since 1994, Bruce Kaye is in an excellent position to write on institutions, especially those relating to the Church. This is an important book with a special message for Anglicans. In his search for the origins of Christianity he naturally begins by tracing in the Old Testament Israel as an institution, with the Temple as the focus on God's presence. Jesus widened God's message, at first hesitantly, to the Gentiles. Kaye shows how the institution of the early Church took this much further in 'the form of incarnational theology'. These days there's a marked tendency to rubbish tradition: as Kaye puts it 'the idea that tradition is simply fossilised detritus from the past' (p.84). But Kaye emphasises that tradition is essential for the continued existence of the Church and our understanding of Christianity, and it's our responsibility to treasure and hand on what has been handed on to us. After all, God is the same past, present and future; only our understanding changes. Individualism Kaye believes that we should accept 'legitimated diversity' in varying church traditions and he believes that these 'in principle can never be eradicated.' He sees both change and diversity as the result 'of openness to the presence of God, and faithfulness to origins'; also because 'there are limits to institutionality...which cannot contain the power and presence of God' (p.l3l). One wonders if individualism plays an unfortunate part in the diversity and whether Kaye accepts as legitimate all the diverse sects that call themselves Christian. In view of Kaye's praise of diversity it's surprising that, although he finds a place for the ecumenical movement in 'collaboration and conversation', he decides that it WAS 'in a certain sense the last hoorah of 19th Century imperial notions' (p.132). Is he suggesting that one group (and which?) seeks completely to dominate the others? He deals with the authoritative sources of three notable traditions. Firstly, the Roman Catholic Church with its source of revelation in Scripture and Tradition 'which is then interpreted by the authoritative teaching of he Magisterium'. Secondly Presbyterianism, finding authority solely in Scripture; thirdly Anglicans, finding their source of authority in Scripture, Reason and Tradition. Aquinas, Calvin and Hooker respectively are correctly given as exponents. A great variety of writers, aside from New Testament writers, are used to provide a spectrum of Christian thought. [These diverse thinkers are noted in the useful bibliography but there is no Index.] The book may be seen as repetitious but this could simply be the result of intentional emphasis at each stage of his developing thesis. He certainly wants us to remember the term 'the public square' where Christians should play a part in transforming Church and other institutions. Kaye challenges Christians to do some 'radical stocktaking of our institutions.' Some of our 'historical baggage' is not assisting this operation. Kaye states that the book isn't a how-to-do-it book; instead we are urged to listen especially, but not only, in prayer. Also he sees value in 'courteous argument' and 'conflict resolution'within the Christian community. Almost at the end he quotes in part a Celtic poem: He who made the wonder of the world, will save us, has saved us. It is not too great toil to praise the Trinity.