Richard Hooker, Priest and Theologian 1554-160

    Psalm 56:3-4

Whenever 

I am afraid, 

I put 

my trust

 in you. 

In God, 

whose word 

I praise, 

in God 

I trust 

and will not 

be afraid

As the Church in England was being beset by both Roman Catholics and Puritans, Richard Hooker was an early and vigorous proponent of the Via Media (The Middle Way,)  saying that our faith needs to be supported by “three legged stool” of Scripture, reason and tradition. This Middle Way continues to be essential and instructive in the church, in the world and in our lives. Our own English sage and deacon, Margaret, has always said “When there seems 
to be only two choices, there is always a third way.”

“Grant that we 

maintain that middle way, 

not as a compromise  

for the sake of peace, 

but as a comprehension 

for the sake of truth”. 

Collect for Richard Hooker  

“The utilitarian advantage of a three-legged stool is that it stands firm even on rough, uneven ground, because three points, the end of the three legs, always defines a plane. A three-legged stool can sit us securely anywhere.” Donald Schell  

Copied From The Episcopal Cafe website.