Proclaiming Unsearchable Riches Newcastle and the Minority Evangelical Anglicans, 1788-1900 / Paul Struan Robertson

In nineteenth century Australia, Evangelicals found that their task of Proclaiming the ‘Unsearchable Riches’ of the Gospel of Christ had to be done in new and dynamic contexts of colony, new land, and the shifting fortunes of the Church of England both in the United Kingdom and abroad. In this book Paul Robertson uncovers the strategies with which Evangelical Anglicans sought to put down roots in a social and ecclesiastical environment that could range from hostile to benevolent. Predicated upon their position in a minority church party, their strategies include domination, cooperation and sub-version. Robertson’s study adds a vital balance to the work done already on Anglicanism in Australian, and presents some interesting lessons for minorities of all types within a larger mainstream culture.

“Superb... a credit to its author... well conceived, original, consistently sustained and illuminating.” Dr Stuart Piggin, Master, Robert Menzies college, MacQuarie University

 “Paul Robertson’s Proclaiming ‘Unsearchable Riches’ makes a helpful contribution to the sesqui-centenary celebrations of the Diocese of Newcastle. Written with a fever-like intensity it describes the piety, devotion and unwavering commitment of those who held the evangelical cause as a minority group in the Diocese. That God works in the middle of the factional morass called the Church – where the theology of suspicion breeds amidst the acts of grace – is a miracle. Proclaiming ‘Unsearchable Riches’ is a useful analysis of the desire that minority groups have to belong to the larger entity without loss of identity. It challenges the majority, if one lives by such factional compartments, to see the minority as a gift rather than a threat.” Roger Herft, Bishop of Newcastle

 “This book is a great tonic and comes at just the right time. Its historical acumen challenges shallow assumptions that it has always been as it is today. Its generosity of spirit and fairness of description is a model. In its history it is splendid. As a contribution to a more healthy church life, it is also splendid. It comes at a time when our capacity to learn from each other, instead of hiding from each other, has never been more needed... This makes a major contribution to our understanding and practise of that delicate mix of unity and diversity in church life.” Rev Dr Bruce Kaye, General Secretary, General Synod, Anglican Church of Australia