Anglicanism Series Part 4: The Reformation and the Thirty-Nine Articles

3/8/2017

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Clifford

8/10/2017 05:10:30 am

I wrote this summary of the episode down and figured it may prove helpful to others if I post it.

The first 45 minutes or so are a history lesson that explains the development of what became Anglicanism. This history is important because of the rough start with Henry VIII and Bloody Mary, culminating in Elizabeth I's reforms that finally stick. It explains also the development of the Book of Common Prayer under Thomas Cramner and a few others. The last 15-20 minutes are a brief explanation of a selection of the 39 Articles. Fr. Adam explains that the Articles are meant not to be an exhaustive catechism of Christian belief (like the Westminster catechism does), but a description of how the church in England differs from both Rome and the hard-line Protestants (Puritans). I found his comments describing the similarities between Presbyterians and Anglicans interesting. On that note and in regard to the issue of the role of tradition, he notes that the Presbyterians believe that whatever is not specifically allowed by the Bible is forbidden (including the celebration of Easter and Christmas), while Anglicans believe that whatever is not specifically forbidden by the Bible is allowed (including things like bishops, vestments, church calendars, etc.). Also on the issue of the role of tradition, he notes that the Articles expressly describe traditions as being subordinate to the Bible, and in fact Article 6 establishes the Bible as the preeminent "tradition" in regard to salvation. Article 34 explains traditions and the authority of the church in a very enlightening way, basically saying that traditions should be able to vary according to different times and places, and this tells me that traditions are meant to serve as a means to the furthering of the Gospel and not the other way around. That same Article notes that the church should have the authority to enforce obedience to a tradition "which be not repugnant to the Word of God," but only for the sake of keeping peace and unity in the church lest people feel a right to break away and form a new church based on things that are not of importance. All in all, this episode explains well how Anglicanism is the "via media" or "middle way" between Romanism and what has become hard-line Protestantism.

Notes from the Rector's Desk

Anglicanism Series Part 4: The Reformation and the Thirty-Nine Articles

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