blosser@lrc.uucp (12/19/90)
I am currently engaged in a brief study of the issue of Protestant and Catholic interpretations of apostolic succession. As some of you may know, a major difference is that most Protestant groups, if they have any view on the matter at all, interpret apostolic succession as applying only to essential doctrine, not to ministry. Therefore it becomes by and large a matter of indifference as to whether there is an actual unbroken succession of ministerial ordination. The "important" issue is entirely internalized and spiritualized. The Anglican tradition, unlike most other Protestant traditions, follows the Catholic tradition in interpreting apostolic succession as applying not only to doctrine but to ministry. The matter is not entirely "spiritual" or "internal" as it is in most Protestant groups. The unbroken succession of sacramental ordination is regarded as something that matters and makes a difference. If you know of any helpful books or articles devoted to this issue, I would very much appreciate your bringing them to my attention. I can be contacted either by e-mail or regular mail at the following: P. Blosser Box 7211 - LRC Hickory, NC 28603