Dr. Geoffrey Bromiley's "Thomas Cranmer: Theologian," Ch.2: The Scholar,...
1.
The
Scholar, 1-11. Dr. Cranmer earned his academic credentials over 26 years at Cambridge
and brought his scholarship to his archepiscopal regnancy of 23 years. As for his
opponents, it was said, “The palm rests with our friends, but especially the Archbishop
of Canterbury, whom they till now were wont to traduce as a man ignorant of theology,
and as being conversant only with matters of government” (1).[1] Stephen
Garinder negatived, “He doth but as it were translate Peter Martyr, saving he roveth
at solution, as liketh his phantasy” (4). As for his friends who were critics, upon
reading Dr. Cranmer’s catechism of Justas Jonas, “This Thomas hath fallen into so
heavy a slumber that we entertain but a cold hope that he will be around even by
your most learned letter” (1).[2] Henry
always appreciated Dr. Cranmer’s rapidity of response to theological questions and,
if we may, his loyalty and demeanor. Bucer, Bullinger and Calvin expressed respect.
Bucer described him “as that most benevolent and kind father of the churches and
of godly men” (5)[3].
Vermigli, perhaps, in residence at Lambeth, was Dr. Cranmer’s closest and finest
exponent sharing the same scholarly instincts and cast of mind? Vermigli noted,
“But now, believe me, he has shown himself so might a theologian against them, as
they would rather not have proof of, and they are compelled, against their including
to acknowledge his learning, and power and dexterity in debate” (6)[4]. Vermigli
understood the oppositional forces against Dr. Cranmer, to wit, “The perverseness
of the bishops is incredible; they oppose us with all their might...The labour of
the most reverend archbishop of Canterbury is not to be expressed. For whatever
has hitherto been wrested from we have acquired solely by the industry, and activity,
and importunity of this prelate” (6)[5]. A
younger scholar, suggestive of others we may add, was John Ab Ulmis: “The Archbishop
of Canterbury, a man of singular worth and learning, has contrary to the general
expectation, delivered his opinion upon this subject, learnedly, correctly, orderly,
and clearly; and by the weight of his character, and the dignity of his language
and sentiments, easily drew over all his hearers to our way of thinking” (6)[6]. Lambeth
was a “clearing-house of theologians and theological discussion,” older and younger
(3). One must be keen to balance his 26 years at Cambridge with his 23 years in
Canterbury, the latter calling for more administrative involvements rather than
regular, scholarly contributions, e.g., Luther, Calvin, etc. As for theological
remains, his total literary output is small compared to Luther and Calvin. His skill
is on view in the True and Catholic Doctrine and his Defense. Yet,
he was involved in the Ten Articles of 1536, somewhat unhappily with the Bishops’
Book and the King’s Book, the two BCPs, the Forty-two Articles, the Homilies
and the Reformatio Legum Ecclesiasticarum. The BCPs, Articles and Homilies
reflect his theological thinking. Prof. Bromiley argues for the Articles as a hermeneutical
tool to the BCP, not the reverse which he laments has hobbled Anglicanism. While
more constrained in Canterbury by manifold duties, he still retained scholarly habits
and annotations of books. Prof. Bromiley alludes to Dr. Cranmer’s large library,
larger than that of Cambridge.[7] He
was throughout a scholar’s scholar and a solid example of a scholarly, Reformed
Archbishop of Canterbury.
[1] Original
Letters, II, 469-470.
[2] Original Letters, II, 380-381.
[3] Original
Letters, II, 711.
[4] Original Letters, II, 470.
[5] Original
Letters, II, 480.
[6] Original
Letters, II, 388.
[7] Burbidge, Edward. Liturgies and
Offices of the Church: For the Use of English Readers, in Illustration of the
Book of Common Prayer. London: George Bell and Sons, 1885. https://archive.org/details/liturgiesandoffi00burbuoft/page/n5/mode/2up . A catalogue
of Cranmer’s library is given, although an mid-20th century update
and enlargement was given by Jayne and Johnson.
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