What is Anglicanism?What is Anglicanism?

by the Rev. Joel Allen Pratherby the Rev. Joel Allen Prather

Catholic?Catholic?

Protestant?Protestant?

Yes!Yes!

The Real QuestionSThe Real QuestionS

““Did the Anglican Church begin Did the Anglican Church begin with the Protestant Reformation or with the Protestant Reformation or earlier?” earlier?”

““Wasn’t it started because the King Wasn’t it started because the King wanted a divorce?”wanted a divorce?”

What is Anglicanism?What is Anglicanism?

““The Anglican Way was not created The Anglican Way was not created

in the sixteenth century since in the sixteenth century since

the Ecclesia Anglican [English Church] the Ecclesia Anglican [English Church] had existed for many centuries; but had existed for many centuries; but it took particular shape, form and it took particular shape, form and

content in the middle content in the middle

of the sixteenth century.” of the sixteenth century.”

What is anglicanism?What is anglicanism?

““Anglicanism has never considered Anglicanism has never considered itself to be a sect or denomination itself to be a sect or denomination originating in the sixteenth century. It originating in the sixteenth century. It continues without a break the [English continues without a break the [English Church] founded by St. Augustine Church] founded by St. Augustine thirteen centuries and more ago, thirteen centuries and more ago, though nowadays that branch of the though nowadays that branch of the Church has spread far beyond the Church has spread far beyond the borders of England.” borders of England.”

Christianity Arrives in EnglandChristianity Arrives in England

First Mention of Christians First Mention of Christians in Britain…in Britain…

“… “… all the limits of the Spains, and all the limits of the Spains, and the diverse nations of the Gauls, the diverse nations of the Gauls, and the haunts of the Britons – and the haunts of the Britons – inaccessible to the Romans, but inaccessible to the Romans, but subjugated to Christ.”subjugated to Christ.”

~ Tertullian circa 200 A.D.~ Tertullian circa 200 A.D.

Also mentioned by Origen circa 240 A.D. Also mentioned by Origen circa 240 A.D.

The Church is established in The Church is established in England by the 4th centuryEngland by the 4th century

British bishops attended the Council British bishops attended the Council of Arles (France) in 314A.D. and…of Arles (France) in 314A.D. and…

Assented to the decisions of the Assented to the decisions of the Council of Nicaea in 325 A.D Council of Nicaea in 325 A.D

There are documented bishoprics in There are documented bishoprics in London, York and Lincoln circa 300 London, York and Lincoln circa 300 A.D A.D

St. AlbanSt. AlbanCIRCA 304 a.d.CIRCA 304 a.d.

““In this country occurred the suffering of St. Alban…” In this country occurred the suffering of St. Alban…”

~ the Venerable Bede~ the Venerable Bede

First individual Christian named in EnglandFirst individual Christian named in England

The Martyrdom of St. AlbanThe Martyrdom of St. Alban

The evangelization of The evangelization of the british islesthe british isles

““Not Angles, but angels!”Not Angles, but angels!”

Pope Gregory the Great, 540-604 A.D.Pope Gregory the Great, 540-604 A.D.

St. Augustine of CanterburySt. Augustine of Canterbury

597-664 A.D.597-664 A.D.

The evangelization of The evangelization of the british islesthe british isles

The evangelization of The evangelization of the british islesthe british isles

St. Aidan of LindisfarneSt. Aidan of Lindisfarned. 561 A.D.d. 561 A.D.

“ “Whether in town or country, he always traveled on foot unless Whether in town or country, he always traveled on foot unless compelled by necessity to ride; and whatever people he met on compelled by necessity to ride; and whatever people he met on his walks, whether high or low, he stopped and spoke to them. If his walks, whether high or low, he stopped and spoke to them. If they were heathen, he urged them to be baptized; and if they they were heathen, he urged them to be baptized; and if they were Christians, he strengthened their faith, and inspired them by were Christians, he strengthened their faith, and inspired them by word and deed to live a good life and to be generous to others.” word and deed to live a good life and to be generous to others.”

~ the Venerable Bede~ the Venerable Bede

Origins of Celtic ChristianityOrigins of Celtic Christianity

Hallmarks of Hallmarks of Celtic ChristianityCeltic Christianity

vsvs..

Hallmarks of Hallmarks of Celtic ChristianityCeltic Christianity

vs.vs.

Hallmarks of Hallmarks of Celtic ChristianityCeltic Christianity

vs.vs.

Hallmarks of Hallmarks of Celtic ChristianityCeltic Christianity

vs.vs.

The Synod of WhitbyThe Synod of Whitbycirca 664 A.D.circa 664 A.D.

The Synod of WhitbyThe Synod of Whitby

“ “The strands of Irish and continental influence The strands of Irish and continental influence were interwoven in every Kingdom and at every were interwoven in every Kingdom and at every stage of the process by which England became stage of the process by which England became Christian.” Christian.”

The Synod of WhitbyThe Synod of Whitby

Anglican IdentityAnglican Identity

“ “But by choosing in favor of Rome, But by choosing in favor of Rome, the Church of England brought the Church of England brought herself in touch with the blood-herself in touch with the blood-stream of the Catholic Church and stream of the Catholic Church and could henceforth play her full part in could henceforth play her full part in the life of Christendom.” the life of Christendom.”

IndependentIndependent NationalisticNationalistic Devoted to the Faith of the Devoted to the Faith of the

universal Churchuniversal Church BiblicalBiblical MissionalMissional

Anglican IdentityAnglican Identity

FAST FAST FORWARD FORWARD

TO TO THE 16THE 16thth CENTURYCENTURY

The ReformationThe Reformation

The Church has existed in England since The Church has existed in England since the 3the 3rdrd century with its unique character century with its unique character (independent, nationalistic, “Catholic”, (independent, nationalistic, “Catholic”, biblical & missional) however… biblical & missional) however…

““it took particular shape, form and content it took particular shape, form and content in the middle of the sixteenth century.” in the middle of the sixteenth century.”

But…But…

What About Henry’s Divorce?What About Henry’s Divorce?

““The Reformation in England, The Reformation in England, however, had a different character. however, had a different character. The appeal had an important political The appeal had an important political twist: we will resist papal authority twist: we will resist papal authority partly because of papal corruptions, partly because of papal corruptions, but, to no small degree, because we but, to no small degree, because we will not be subjected to any foreign will not be subjected to any foreign authority, temporal or spiritual.”authority, temporal or spiritual.”

Henry’s Divorce is Merely a Henry’s Divorce is Merely a SymptomSymptom

English Hearts and MindsEnglish Hearts and Minds

“ “In his own inner life the average Englishman of the In his own inner life the average Englishman of the later Middle Ages was undoubtedly deeply religious…later Middle Ages was undoubtedly deeply religious…the English as a whole were a religious nation and the English as a whole were a religious nation and impressed visitors as such. Moreover they were impressed visitors as such. Moreover they were becoming more educated and more intelligent…This becoming more educated and more intelligent…This educated laity formed an important element among educated laity formed an important element among those who were conscious of abuses and keen for those who were conscious of abuses and keen for reform. Men were aware that big changes were taking reform. Men were aware that big changes were taking place – social, economic, national and international – place – social, economic, national and international – and were anxious to see a Church alive both to its and were anxious to see a Church alive both to its responsibilities and opportunities.”responsibilities and opportunities.”

Henry says good-bye to romeHenry says good-bye to rome

“ “Although concern for religious Although concern for religious reform and national interests reform and national interests underlay the motivation for an underlay the motivation for an independent English church, it was independent English church, it was Henry’s well-known desire to shed Henry’s well-known desire to shed Catherine of Aragon in order to Catherine of Aragon in order to marry Ann Boleyn that precipitated marry Ann Boleyn that precipitated the break with Rome.” the break with Rome.”

What about the divorce?What about the divorce?

Unique Features of Unique Features of the English Reformationthe English Reformation

While the Church in England was asserting its While the Church in England was asserting its independence it was also declaring its devotion to independence it was also declaring its devotion to the historic Faith and Practice. the historic Faith and Practice.

Parliament “made it clear that the Church in Parliament “made it clear that the Church in England was anciently and would continue to be England was anciently and would continue to be the Church of England” and that it had no the Church of England” and that it had no intention to “decline or vary from…the ancient intention to “decline or vary from…the ancient Catholic faith of Christendom.”Catholic faith of Christendom.”

Unlike the Continental Reformers, the Church of Unlike the Continental Reformers, the Church of England’s Reformation was not a radical England’s Reformation was not a radical Reformation which put away anything resembling Reformation which put away anything resembling the Roman Church. the Roman Church.

So what did the English So what did the English Reformation look like?Reformation look like?

38

““What do Anglicans believe?”What do Anglicans believe?”

““The Church of England reformed the The Church of England reformed the medieval form of Catholicism which it medieval form of Catholicism which it inherited, and it reformed itself by the inherited, and it reformed itself by the Gospel…Unlike Protestant Churches in Gospel…Unlike Protestant Churches in Switzerland and Scotland, however, the Switzerland and Scotland, however, the Church of England maintained the Catholic Church of England maintained the Catholic Order of the Threefold Ministry, government Order of the Threefold Ministry, government by bishops (under the godly monarch), and by bishops (under the godly monarch), and the Catholic tradition of an authorized the Catholic tradition of an authorized liturgy.” liturgy.”

39

““What do Anglicans believe?”What do Anglicans believe?”

40

““What do Anglicans believe?”What do Anglicans believe?”

““Anglicanism is not a theological system Anglicanism is not a theological system and there is no writer whose work is an and there is no writer whose work is an essential part of it either in respect of essential part of it either in respect of content or with regard to the form of its self-content or with regard to the form of its self-expression…The absence of an official expression…The absence of an official theology in Anglicanism is something theology in Anglicanism is something deliberate which belongs to its essential deliberate which belongs to its essential nature, for it has always regarded the nature, for it has always regarded the teaching and practice of the undivided teaching and practice of the undivided Church of the first five centuries as a Church of the first five centuries as a criterion.”criterion.”

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One CanonOne Canon ……of Scriptureof Scripture

Two TestamentsTwo Testaments Old Testament New Old Testament New

TestamentTestament

Three CreedsThree CreedsApostle’s Creed Nicene Creed Athanasian CreedApostle’s Creed Nicene Creed Athanasian Creed

Four CouncilsFour CouncilsNicaea I Constantinople I Ephesus ChalcedonNicaea I Constantinople I Ephesus Chalcedon325 A.D. 381 A.D. 431 A.D. 451 A.D.325 A.D. 381 A.D. 431 A.D. 451 A.D.

Five CenturiesFive CenturiesThe first five centuries of the Undivided ChurchThe first five centuries of the Undivided Church

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The thirty-nine ArticlesThe thirty-nine Articles

““They give with exactness, balance, and They give with exactness, balance, and fulness the supreme voice of our Church fulness the supreme voice of our Church on all matters covered therein.”on all matters covered therein.”

43

The thirty-nine articlesThe thirty-nine articles

“ “Though The Thirty-Nine Articles of Religion as a Statement Though The Thirty-Nine Articles of Religion as a Statement of Faith has a similar taste, feel and look to the Confessions of Faith has a similar taste, feel and look to the Confessions of Faith produced by the Lutheran and Reformed of Faith produced by the Lutheran and Reformed (Presbyterian) Churches, it does not have precisely the (Presbyterian) Churches, it does not have precisely the same role and function as they. This doctrinal statement is same role and function as they. This doctrinal statement is not to be regarded as the stand-alone Confession of Faith of not to be regarded as the stand-alone Confession of Faith of the Church of England…(it) is one formulary of three” along the Church of England…(it) is one formulary of three” along with the Book of Common Prayer and the Ordinalwith the Book of Common Prayer and the Ordinal

44

The thirty-nine articlesThe thirty-nine articles

Articles I—VIII: The FaithArticles I—VIII: The Faith

Articles I – V articulate the Creedal Articles I – V articulate the Creedal statements concerning the nature of statements concerning the nature of God, manifest in the Holy Trinity. God, manifest in the Holy Trinity.

Articles VI and VII deal with Scripture Articles VI and VII deal with Scripture

Article VIII discusses the essential Article VIII discusses the essential Creeds.Creeds.

45

The thirty-nine articlesThe thirty-nine articles

Articles IX—XVIII: Personal ReligionArticles IX—XVIII: Personal Religion

““Dwell on the topics of sin, justification, and Dwell on the topics of sin, justification, and the eternal disposition of the soul. Of the eternal disposition of the soul. Of particular focus is the major Reformation particular focus is the major Reformation topic of justification by faith. The Articles in topic of justification by faith. The Articles in this section and in the section on the Church this section and in the section on the Church plant Anglicanism in the via media of the plant Anglicanism in the via media of the debate, portraying an Economy of Salvation debate, portraying an Economy of Salvation where good works are an outgrowth of faith, where good works are an outgrowth of faith, and there is a role for the Church and for and there is a role for the Church and for the sacraments.”the sacraments.”

46

The thirty-nine articlesThe thirty-nine articles

Articles XIX—XXXI: Corporate ReligionArticles XIX—XXXI: Corporate Religion

““This section focuses on the This section focuses on the expression of faith in the public venue expression of faith in the public venue – the institutional church, the councils – the institutional church, the councils of the church, worship, ministry, and of the church, worship, ministry, and sacramental theology.”sacramental theology.”

47

The thirty-nine articlesThe thirty-nine articles

Articles XXXII—XXXIX: MiscellaneousArticles XXXII—XXXIX: Miscellaneous

These articles concern clerical These articles concern clerical celibacy, excommunication, traditions celibacy, excommunication, traditions of the Church, and other issues not of the Church, and other issues not covered elsewhere.covered elsewhere.

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Richard hookerRichard hooker1554-1600 A.D.1554-1600 A.D.

““The Via Media” and the “Three-Legged The Via Media” and the “Three-Legged Stool”Stool”

49

The three-legged stoolThe three-legged stool

Scripture ~ Tradition ~ ReasonScripture ~ Tradition ~ Reason

““What Scripture doth plainly deliver, to that first place What Scripture doth plainly deliver, to that first place both of credit and obedience is due; the next both of credit and obedience is due; the next whereunto is whatsoever any man can necessarily whereunto is whatsoever any man can necessarily conclude by force of reason; after these the voice of conclude by force of reason; after these the voice of the Church succeedeth. That which the Church by her the Church succeedeth. That which the Church by her ecclesiastical authority shall probably think and ecclesiastical authority shall probably think and define to be true or good, must in congruity of reason define to be true or good, must in congruity of reason over-rule all other inferior judgments whatsoever.”over-rule all other inferior judgments whatsoever.”

~ Of the Laws of Ecclesiastical Polity~ Of the Laws of Ecclesiastical Polity

50

The three-legged stoolThe three-legged stool

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Via MediaVia Media

Hookers Laws were a defense of the Church of Hookers Laws were a defense of the Church of England against both Puritanism and Roman England against both Puritanism and Roman Catholicism and he “sought to bring peace after Catholicism and he “sought to bring peace after much strife.”much strife.”

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EpiscopacyEpiscopacy

“…“…the office of a bishop in the the office of a bishop in the (Anglican) church represents a partial (Anglican) church represents a partial continuation of the office of an continuation of the office of an apostle.”apostle.”

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Suggested ReadingSuggested Reading

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Suggested ReadingSuggested Reading

The Anglican Formularies The Anglican Formularies and Holy Scripture and Holy Scripture

by Peter Toonby Peter Toon

Our Anglican Heritage Our Anglican Heritage

by John W. Howeby John W. Howe

55

Looking At The Episcopal Looking At The Episcopal Church Church

by William Sydnorby William Sydnor

An Introduction to the An Introduction to the Episcopal Church Episcopal Church

by J.B. Bernardinby J.B. Bernardin

Suggested ReadingSuggested Reading

56

Beyond Smells & Bells: The Beyond Smells & Bells: The Wonder and Power of Wonder and Power of Christian Liturgy Christian Liturgy

by Mark Galliby Mark Galli

The Prayer Book Through The Prayer Book Through the Ages the Ages

by William Sydnorby William Sydnor

Suggested ReadingSuggested Reading

58

A History of the Church in A History of the Church in England England

by J.H.R. Moormanby J.H.R. Moorman

The Ecclesiastical History of The Ecclesiastical History of The English People The English People

by the Venerable Bedeby the Venerable Bede

Suggested ReadingSuggested Reading