Diarmaid MacCulloch, Ph.D.: "Thomas Cranmer," Ch. 6: A “Reformed” Church...

204-212. The Calais, Canterbury, Gardiner connection exists and there are conflicts with Cranmer. The Bishops’ Book has a sluggish start and tepid acceptance, designed as a set of homilies. Meanwhile, Henry is focused on Jayne Seymour and child. Edward is born 12 Oct 1537, is baptized 3 days later, and Jayne dies 10 days after that. Cranmer presided at the traditional burial at Windsor and Latimer preached. Henry’s grief was genuine and deep and he turned to theology in Nov-Dec scribbling theological notes. Cranmer got Henry’s copy in mid-January 1538. For the first time, one gets clear insights to Cranmer’s theology rather than glimpses. Cranmer’s Lutheran views” fallen humanity, helpless and under condemnation, God gives saving faith and grave. Conversely, the medieval soteriology is evident—the contrite human will could cooperate and contribute to his own salvation if he continued therein. There are back-and-forths between the direct Cranmer and the obstinate Henry. Cranmer was “having none of this” (210). It’s the standard evangelical, Reformed and Lutheran faith. Behind all this about the all-sufficiency of Christ’s mercy lurked the all-powerful view of God and predestination. Cranmer on the elect: “the elect, of whom is here spoke, will follow Christ’s precept, and repentance after falling” (211). “The mature Cranmer was a predestinarian; he had left far behind the theology of Erasmus” (211). Anyone who read Augustine will see the grace and majesty of God and be liable to the logic. Luther, Cranmer, Bucer, Martyr and, later, Calvin were on the same sheet. Hooker, who allegedly hated Calvin (so the Prof says) shaped the 17^th century and so Calvin is eclipsed on this doctrine. Cranmer in Art 17 believed but did not want to obsess about it. He was concerned in finding it in Augustine and Prosper of Aquitaine. He was interested in other fathers. One finds Cranmer “assiduously repeated note ‘predestinatio’” (212). Henry heard from Cranmer a clear exposition of “the once-for-all character of justification by faith, controlled by the logic of predestination…” (212). Cranmer’s notes could not be clearer.