Evelyn Underhill: an Anglican “Spiritual Ecumenist”

Evelyn Underhill (1875–1925) was an Anglican “Spiritual Ecumenist” who viewed prayer as central to Church unity. As Secretary of the Spiritual Entente, a prayer movement in the early 1920s, Underhill wrote a leaflet outlining its four aims. First, the Entente was to include members of any nationalit...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inAnglican theological review Vol. 105; no. 1; pp. 5 - 23
Main Author Wrigley-Carr, Robyn
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published London, England SAGE Publications 01.02.2023
Sage Publications Ltd
Subjects
Christianity
Ecumenism
Prayer
Spirituality
Underhill, Evelyn
Abbé Paul Couturier
Church unity
Reunion Movement
invisible monastery
Maisie Spens
Spiritual Entente
spiritual ecumenism
Evelyn Underhill
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Summary:Evelyn Underhill (1875–1925) was an Anglican “Spiritual Ecumenist” who viewed prayer as central to Church unity. As Secretary of the Spiritual Entente, a prayer movement in the early 1920s, Underhill wrote a leaflet outlining its four aims. First, the Entente was to include members of any nationality, class, or form of Christian faith, yet loyal to their own Church affiliation. Second, the objective was to hasten the coming of God’s Kingdom by promoting spiritual unity between Christians. Third, prayer and work were central to achieving this goal. Fourth, “spiritual understanding” rather than critique was key to unity. Underhill’s four convictions were “lived” throughout her life and repeatedly emphasized in her retreat talks and letters. Underhill’s “Spiritual Ecumenism” is part of her spiritual legacy. She provided spiritual understanding and generous hospitality to Christians from all parts of the Church while also staying true to her Anglican identity.
ISSN:0003-3286
2163-6214
DOI:10.1177/00033286221089188