Called to Freedom: The Episcopal Resistance Ethic of Scudder,Stringfellow,and Dozier

Abstract

Vida Dutton Scudder, William Stringfellow, and Verna Dozier – three lay Episcopal theologians – represent a distinctive ethic of resistance that complements the more familiar Anglican moral and political theology. Characterized by opposition to political and economic institutional powers and engagement with concrete communities and marginalized perspectives, this ethic has significant contributions to make to the church’s discernment in a challenging political moment. This article describes each theologian’s contribution, with attention to a distinctive element within each: Scudder on private property, Stringfellow on the state, and Dozier on vocation. It also traces points of similarity and divergence with more familiar Anglican thinkers and themes and indicates some possible implications of this ethic of resistance for urgent issues facing the church today.