Hooker, born in 1553 and having died on November 3, 1600, understood assemblies as places gathered for particular actions and thus prone to agenda and partisanship, to pronouncements and platforms.  A society reflects an open forum of ideas and actions which Hooker believed more resembled the Spirit.  "The Spirit moves where it wills," it is elusive and always present and the church should reflect that same reality; the church as a polis of understandings the gathering of which best allows for the most full knowing of God.

Defending the middle way or via media of the Elizabethan Settlement, Hooker saw this broadness not as a compromise for a pretended peacefulness, but a comprehensiveness for the sake of truth.  Perhaps this is why our conventions resemble more a public forum than a political platform promotion (at least on our better days).

Hooker's understanding still holds and seems to me all the more vital for the church and culture of our day.  An antidote to the certainty and hubris of partisanship, it offers a discipline, a practice: the faithful, honorable engagement of ideas and experiences spoken to by scripture and tradition, rooted in a society gathered around common prayer.  Our world could use practices such as this.

Peace,

Todd Donatelli