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The Episcopal Church / Anglicanism
The Way of Love
Vance G. Morgan
Church Publishing
Oct/2025, 240 Pages, Paperback, 5.5 x 8.5
ISBN: 9781640657786
An exploration of the range of human emotions and interactions as reflected in the lectionary stories of the liturgical year, through the curious, thought-provoking lens of a philosopher.
In this compelling guide, Vance Morgan invites the reader to travel with him on a story-laden journey through the liturgical year guided by weekly lectionary readings—a journey that explores the intersection of faith and reason and tracks the ways in which the liturgical cycle and spiritual growth can be intimately linked. A preacher’s kid raised in a conservative Protestant tradition, Morgan found a spiritual home in the Episcopal Church, and in the cycles of the liturgical year. Weaving together biblical readings, philosophical extracts, and personal experiences, he encourages the reader to explore their own faith journey. The text includes selections from lectionary years A, B, and C, as well as questions for reflection/discussion.
Vance Morgan is Professor of Philosophy at Providence College and a lay leader in his local Episcopal Church. He writes the Freelance Christianity blog on Patheos. His previous books include Weaving the World: Simone Weil on Science, Mathematics, and Love (2005), Freelance Christianity: Philosophy, Faith, and the Real World (2017), and Prayer for People Who Don’t Believe in God (2019). A gifted scholar and teacher, he received the Joseph R. Accinno Faculty Teaching Award. He lives in Providence, Rhode Island.
"Few would consider using philosophical reflection to explore the liturgy and scripture of the church. Even fewer could pull the exercise off using prose that's clear and accessible. Vance Morgan's book is a resource helpful to both clergy and laity alike, as he prompts readers to think in new and deep ways about ancient ideas!"—Thomas Jay Oord, author of God After Deconstruction
"In this thoughtful book, Dr. Vance Morgan takes us on a journey through the seasons and cycles of the liturgical year. His insights on the Scripture readings and the questions for reflection provided after each commentary demonstrate powerfully how the Truths revealed in the Scriptures are timeless and relevant in any age. Dr. Morgan’s reflections on the Sunday readings, often based on personal experiences, are fresh, useful, and inspiring."—Fr. Kenneth Sicard, O.P., Ph.D., president of Providence College
"Set in the context of his faith journey and his experience of regular parish life and Bible study, Prof Morgan invites us, through eclectic examples and prompts to think about the Church Year in new ways, and gives conversation starters to add our own insights. This is a gift to congregations everywhere!"—W. Nicholas Knisely, XIII bishop of Rhode Island
"A Baptist latecomer to the Episcopal tradition, Vance Morgan takes the predictable cycle of readings and offers something fresh. He does more than offer provocative, engaging, and entertaining reflections on the lectionary, although he certainly does that. Throughout the book, Morgan couples scripture with stories from his own life, literature, television, and film, in a way that helps readers hear the Bible speak into the realities of the here and now. This is a thoroughly enjoyable and engaging book that connects scripture with philosophy and theology, and simultaneously with you the reader, whoever you might be."—James F. McGrath, Clarence L. Goodwin Chair in New Testament Language and Literature, and Chair of the Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies, Butler University
